Revealing an unexpected twist in a recent episode of the popular “Old Man and the 3” podcast hosted by former NBA shooting guard JJ Redick, the former New Orleans Pelicans wing revealed that he was asked to join the Boston Celtics organization as an assistant coach this offseason after the Ime Udoka scandal elevated assistant coach Joe Mazzulla into his current interim capacity.
In an interview with current Celtics shooting guard Derrick White, Redick shared a story about how that opportunity ended up arising for him in the midst of a friendly game of golf with the Celtics coach ahead of the start of the 2022-23 NBA season.
“So the Ime (Udoka) thing happened,” began Redick.
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— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 9, 2022
“That’s like on a Thursday, and I would happen to be going up to Boston that weekend to see a high school friend,” continued the podcast host.
“I was taking my kids out. My wife was on a wellness retreat somewhere in Malibu. I was taking my kids up to Boston to see a high school best friend, and the Ime thing happens. So one thing leads to another; Sunday morning of that weekend, I’m playing golf with Joe (Mazzulla), talking about joining your staff, and I was just so impressed by him, I spent four and a half hours with him. He has done a remarkable job for where you guys were coming off that pressure situation with Ime.”
He has stepped in. And it seems like it’s been pretty seamless, particularly the improvement and offense,” finished Redick.
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— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 9, 2022
There had been rumblings that the team might bring in a more experienced assistant to help Mazzulla get accustomed to such a daunting task as coaching a Finals-caliber roster.
But the idea of a Redick hire as a move in a different direction for Boston is an intriguing one to consider, even if it seems like it never truly had any legs.
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— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 9, 2022
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
