RED ALERT
Stephen A. Smith touts another ESPN colleague for Los Angeles Lakers role after JJ Redick becomes head coach
Smith is keeping a close eye on how Redick handles the Lakers rookies
ESPN star Stephen A. Smith thinks another of his colleagues would be a perfect fit for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Former analyst JJ Redick has left the network to take over as head coach amid reports of a feud with Smith.
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And First Take co-host Smith thinks colleague Bob Myers is a great candidate to replace vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, who is on his fourth head coach since 2016.
Myers, who was the general manager of the Golden State Warriors from 2012 to 2023, joined ESPN as an analyst last year.
“That’s a damn good question,” Smith said when asked on his podcast if it was time for Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to replace Pelinka.
“Bob Myers went to UCLA, he lives in California, he’s a native there.
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"And he’s an elite executive who has four championships on his resume. Kinda knows what he’s doing.
“I don’t want to say it’s time for Bob Myers to replace Rob Pelinka, but I will say Rob Pelinka is on the clock and he’s got things to prove.
“I’m not advocating for his dismissal by any stretch.
"But if I got a guy like Bob Myers out there, it is legitimate to simply ask the question, ‘How long do you keep him on the sidelines when you have an opportunity to have him?’
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"Sometimes it ain’t about the other person doing a bad job, it’s about knowing what a great job this person can do because they’ve already done it.”
Smith will keep a sharp eye on how Redick handles the media storm surrounding the Lakers drafting Bronny James.
Stephen A. Smith spotted outside ESPN studios after 'rift' with JJ Redick emerges and issues behind scenes at First Take
"The person we need to be worried about is JJ Redick," Smith said.
"He's not the most patient dude in the world when it comes to dealing with the media and the same question over and over and over again.
"I think we need to watch that, but other than that we're good."
LeBron James and Bronny have become the first father-son duo to play with each other in NBA history.
Smith has previously described former colleague Redick as an "aquired taste."
Stephen A. Smith's journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
"This is what I will say about JJ Redick," Stephen A. said.
"I think he’s a brilliant basketball mind, we got mad respect for him. We got love for him here at this network, I can tell you that much.
"But he is an acquired taste. You understand? I love you JJ, but he’s an acquired taste.
"He’s my cup of tea, he ain’t everybody’s cup of tea. And JJ does not suffer fools much. It’s hard for him to tolerate.
"Well, some people would perceive there being a lot of foolishness from time to time with the Lakers organization."
Two First Take insiders claim Redick and Stephen A. clashed behind the scenes and didn't speak "for weeks."
Smith wage demands, as revealed by The U.S. Sun, saw tensions on the show ramped up.
And one of the sources says the on-screen treatment of highly-rated NBA tactician Redick made things worse.
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Motormouth Smith and on-screen pal Shannon Sharpe are known for their outlandish sporting views and Redick has earned his stripes by calling them both out on occasion.