In general, LA Clippers fans are pretty fond of their team’s former players. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and others did enough in their time with the franchise to still be remembered fondly by Clipper nation.
One former Clipper, however, recently touched a bit of a nerve with the fanbase. Many are aware that JJ Redick is now an NBA analyst with ESPN. In discussing the new-look In-Season Tournament courts, Redick made something of a snide comment.
He recalled seeing the Clippers’ version of the new court designs first, to which he replied he was confused because of the trophy logo at mid-court. “Clippers? They’ve never won a trophy,” said Redick.
As JJ would later find out, each of the new courts being used for the NBA In-Season Tournament features a logo of the NBA Cup trophy at center court. Clippers fans on social media were quick to lash out at Redick for his not-so-clever joke.
We should ask JJ if the numbers 11/37 mean anything to him https://t.co/FF6eo1tEay
— Dime Dropper (@DimeDropperPod) November 4, 2023
Clippers fans did not hold back after Redick’s comment
It should go without saying that former players of a franchise should have a certain level of respect for the team so as not to make comments like this live on television. As such, the Clipper faithful felt the need to even the score with Redick.
@DimeDropperPod on X (formerly Twitter) remarked that the fans should ask Redick “if the numbers 11/37 mean anything to him.” This would be referring, of course, to Redick’s horrendous performance for the Clippers in the second round of the 2015 playoffs.
In the Western Conference Semifinals against Houston, JJ Redick was, as Richard Jefferson pointed out, part of the reason why the Clippers blew a 3-1 lead against the Rockets that year. He shot 11-for-37 from the field between Game 5, 6 and 7 while shooting 22.6% from three.
The way he talks on TV is amazing. You averaged the same amount of points as kenny smith and made 0 all stars, 0 all nba, 0 defensive, 0 top 10 mvp finishes. https://t.co/Htr98PXXMg
— Antii (@AntiiAyy) November 4, 2023
User @AntiiAyy was also quick to put Redick in his place. They pointed out that while a great shooter, JJ finished his NBA career without any major accolades to his name. No All-NBA or All-Star appearances, no All-Defensive teams and never appeared in an MVP race.
We are sure JJ Redick is self-aware enough to know he was not a high-caliber player during his NBA tenure, but Clippers fans have no problem of reminding him of that when he decides to talk sideways about their team.
All these interactions were yet another reminder of the power of social media. Basketball analysts beware, for anything you say can and will be used against you.