Episode Overview

Podcast: Pablo Torre Finds Out
Episode: Why JJ Redick Rejected the NBA to Coach 9-Year-Olds Instead
Date: January 11, 2024
Host: Pablo Torre
Guest: JJ Redick

Main Theme:
This episode dives into why JJ Redick, ex-NBA star and current media personality, turned down competitive NBA coaching opportunities to coach his nine-year-old son’s travel basketball team in Brooklyn. Pablo and JJ discuss competitive obsession, the philosophies behind coaching children versus professionals, authentic growth in youth sports, and the often hilarious, sometimes surreal, moments of JJ’s new life as a youth basketball coach.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

JJ Redick’s Obsessive Competitive Spirit

• JJ’s Intrinsic Obsession:
  • JJ and Pablo joke candidly about JJ’s “sicko” perfectionist personality, which, while sometimes problematic, has “served me well in life” (JJ, [01:03]).
  • JJ describes his trademark Sunday workout routine during his NBA career: making exactly 342 shots every Sunday, a ritual so precise it became the name of his media company ([03:46]).
    • “That light workout, what it had turned into for the rest of my career, every Sunday was I had to make 342 shots.” – JJ, [04:08]
    • Pablo teases: “342 is sociopathically precise…” ([04:35])
  • The elaborate explanation of 342 and JJ’s spot-based shooting mathematics is a running gag and sets the tone for the type of “nerdiness” that defines him.

NBA Coaching Opportunities & Temptations

• Interview with Toronto Raptors:
  • JJ recounts the whirlwind experience of being contacted by the Raptors, being flown up for an all-day interview, and then scrambling to return for ESPN duties ([05:52]).
• Boston Celtics Offer:
  • Recounts an unexpected job discussion on a golf course with Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla and executive Brad Stevens ([11:24]).
    • “How do I make this decision? My kids are in school. I planned out my life. You know, it’s like this is a scene.” – JJ, [12:36]
  • Admits he’s received coaching offers from “six to eight” NBA teams ([13:10]).
• Choosing Not to Coach in the NBA:
  • Despite the seriousness and temptation, JJ reveals why he’s rejected these opportunities for now: his true focus is on family and coaching his son’s team ([13:51]):
    • “I’m coaching a fourth grade travel team in Brooklyn.” – JJ, [13:51]
    • “Instead I’m trying to figure out how 9 year olds can beat a 2, 3 zone.” ([13:59])

JJ’s Philosophy on Coaching Kids

• From Rec Ball to Travel Team:
  • Recounts how his son Knox moved from dominating a rec league to joining a travel team after JJ noticed the need for better competition ([14:55]).
• Becoming Head Coach:
  • JJ found himself unable to sit idly in the stands: “Within five minutes of the game I said to Chelsea, nope, can’t do this, can’t sit, can’t watch this. I’ve got a coach.” ([15:52])
• Coaching Approach:
  • Struggles between competitiveness and sensitivity:
    • “During a practice, during a game, the competitiveness comes out... Not perfect with these kids...” ([16:39])
    • Establishes three rules: Don’t disrespect coaches, teammates, or refs ([17:10])
  • Explains his focus on developing accountability and mental toughness, taking cues from his own formative years ([18:12]).
• Development vs. Winning:
  • JJ emphasizes prioritizing long-term basketball fundamentals and development over “cheat code” strategies like running zone defenses and full-court presses at a young age ([28:55]).
    • “There’s a difference to me between developing kids and their understanding of basketball and trying to win games as 9 and 10 year olds.” – JJ, [28:53]

Memorable Sideline Moments

• Hyper-Organized Practices:
  • JJ draws up detailed play sheets, runs NBA-style practices, and uses actual NBA terminology for his nine-year-olds ([24:56], [25:49]).
    • “Everything we do is based on NBA verbiage. So that’s what I’m getting at. ... I treat these kids like I would a college team or an NBA team.” – JJ, [24:27]
  • Emphasizes teaching spacing, movement, and involvement, not just “everyone run to the ball."
• Zone Defense Crusade:
  • JJ is “on a crusade against zone” in youth basketball, believing it to be a shortcut that stifles development ([27:40]).
    • “I don’t teach zone because I think you have to learn man to man concepts... I call it a cheat. It’s a cheat code.” – JJ, [28:55]
• Refereeing Adventures:
  • Animated (yet respectful) debates with referees over travel and double-dribble calls, and even being ejected from a youth game ([31:15], [34:48], [35:31]):
    • "Are you seriously not going to call that a travel? And he teed me up, and I said, did you seriously just give me a technical? And he threw me out of the game." – JJ, [00:06] and extended [34:48]

Parenting, Bias, and Growth

• Coaching His Own Son, Knox:
  • JJ discusses the delicate balance of being both father and coach, striving to not show favoritism: “Try to remove your bias. I think that’s a challenge for any parent.” ([43:10])
• Knox’s Obsessive Passion for Basketball:
  • Knox watches NBA highlights daily, analyzes complex substitution patterns, mirrors his dad’s competitive tendencies ([41:49], [42:19]).
• Importance of Body Language and Accountability:
  • JJ’s main teaching point for Knox: control your reactions to success and mistakes ([45:11]).
    • “You take bad shots, too, buddy. When your teammate takes a bad shot … you can’t sulk down court.” – JJ, [45:23]
• Validation as a Parent-Coach:
  • “If it’s never not awesome, please tell me. Because the last thing that I want to do for him … is ruin it.” ([40:43])
• Unexpected Joy:
  • “It’s the greatest joy getting to coach them. I tell the parents that. I tell the kids that it’s the greatest joy to coach them.” – JJ, [23:43]

Humor & Sitcom-Worthy Moments

• Autographs and Selfies:
  • After a game, players from the opposing team swarm JJ for autographs and selfies ([34:19]).
• Celebrity Perks:
  • JJ arranges a Dame Lillard good-luck video for his son’s team before a playoff game, blowing the kids’ minds ([38:01]).
• Pablo’s Observational Gags:
  • Pablo repeatedly jokes about the sitcom-like absurdity of JJ Redick’s double life as media mogul and youth basketball coach ([23:36], [48:21]).
    • “I just want a producer credit [when this becomes a sitcom].” – Pablo, [48:15]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On obsessive routines:
  “342 is sociopathically precise.” – Pablo, [04:35]

• On competitive drive:
  “I’m not like screaming at these kids. … I’m big on body language. I’m big on how you interact with your teammates. … I have conversations, I’ve had conversations with parents. If then it happens repeatedly again, then go, take 15 minutes off. … You can go sit down for the rest of practice.” – JJ, [17:14]–[18:12]

• On parent-coach bias:
  “Try to remove your bias. I think that's a challenge for any parent.” – JJ, [43:10]

• On the joy of coaching:
  “It's the greatest joy getting to coach them. … It’s the greatest joy to coach them.” – JJ, [23:43]

• On being ejected from a children’s game:
  “Are you seriously not going to call that a travel? And he teed me up, and I said, did you seriously just give me a technical? And he threw me out of the game.” – JJ, [00:06], recounted again [35:31]

• On his son’s basketball obsession:
  “Every morning, first thing wakes up … I need to watch NBA top 10 from the night before.” – JJ, [42:05]

• On the sitcom potential:
  “When I don’t know what actor you want to play you in the sitcom, but I just want a producer credit.” – Pablo, [48:15]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:03] — JJ on his “sicko” perfectionist personality
• [03:46] — Explanation of the “342” shots workout and its origins
• [05:52] — Being approached for NBA coaching (Toronto Raptors, Celtics, and others)
• [13:51] — Admits to coaching his son’s 4th-grade team instead of taking NBA jobs
• [14:55] — Story of Knox’s rec-to-travel basketball journey
• [16:39] — Coaching style and rules for kids; balance of competitiveness and compassion
• [18:12] — Reflections on his own childhood coaches and building accountability
• [24:27] — NBA-level tactics taught to 9-year-olds
• [27:40] — “Crusade against zone” defense in youth basketball
• [31:15], [34:48] — Arguing rules calls with refs, ejection from a youth game
• [38:01] — Dame Lillard pep talk video for Knox’s team
• [41:49] — Knox’s deep basketball obsession: NBA highlights and scouting-level talk
• [45:11] — Teaching Knox lessons about composure and teamwork
• [48:15] — Pablo jokes about the inevitable sitcom adaptation

Final Thoughts

This episode is as much about the nuances of youth sports as it is about the intricacies of competitive personality—and how the same drive that fuels a pro athlete can be hilariously, sometimes awkwardly, transposed into suburban gyms full of third graders, confused referees, and autograph-seeking opponents. JJ Redick’s reflections, honesty, and humor, combined with Pablo’s playful yet insightful hosting, paint a rich portrait of finding meaning, growth, and joy in the seemingly humble act of coaching a children’s basketball team.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in sports, parenting, and the psychology of competition.