In case you weren’t aware, J.J. Redick has a podcast on Yahoo’s The Vertical, and it’s fantastic. The morning after the Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Portland Trail Blazers, Redick had teammate Jamal Crawford guest-star on the pod. Here is the Podcast:
Redick said part of the emotions after the game came from knowing it’ll be the last time he plays with some of the soon-to-be free agents on the team. He said he thought this Clippers team had a chance to do something special, and there’s a disappointment in feeling like you let people down. In speaking to the quality of the group, Redick said he heard Wesley Johnson call this Clippers group easily the best he’s been a part of in the NBA. “There’s a real sense of gratitude and gratefulness to be a part of this,” said Redick, who added that the relationships he’s built in Los Angeles are his best in the NBA.
One of those upcoming free agents is Crawford, who said he’s been in the league 16 years and the Clippers felt like home and family more than any place he’s been. “I know my role, I respect my role, I respect my teammates,” Crawford said. “I don’t like change, so I’m very, very comfortable here, and I’d love to stay here further.”
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Crawford said he doesn’t feel there’s anything wrong with the Clippers’ core, and that part of not making it to the next step has just been bad luck. Crawford said chemistry in the NBA is underrated, and this group has it. “To break through with this core group would mean everything,” he said.
Admittedly, Crawford didn’t know last summer how all the pieces would fit, but it worked out for him with a record third Sixth Man of the Year honor. “This one meant more than the other two, because before the season, it wasn’t even on my radar,” Crawford said.
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Both Redick and Crawford said they believed they could play for five more years apiece. “I’m going to be playing at 41 at LA Fitness, why not play against the best players in the world, if I still can,” Crawford asked.
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Redick said after he’s done playing, he wants to find something he’s equally passionate about. “That may be a challenge,” he said. “We’ve given our lives to this game.”
Redick guessed Crawford would probably do something in basketball, and Crawford agreed – more likely in broadcasting or a front office role than coaching.…
At the end of every Redick podcast, he does a “top four” with his guest. In honor of Prince, this week’s 4-on-4 was favorite musical acts of all time. I’ll keep it a surprise, so check out the end of the podcast to see each player’s top four, but Redick’s might be the most unique of all-time.
