Hall of Famer Bob Cousy snaps back at JJ Redick on comments made over a month ago
JJ Redick has successfully made a second career for himself as a broadcaster since retiring from the NBA. Anytime you throw yourself on ESPN with the typical “takesmen” you’re going to make some enemies and it looks like that day has finally arrived.
JJ Redick: [Bob Cousy] was being guarded by plumbers and firemen
JJ Redick: If Kyrie was teleported to a 1960’s Finals game, they would look at him like he was a wizard
Back in April JJ Redick got into it with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo about whether Bob Cousy was a better point guard than Chris Paul. Redick shot down the assertion, rightfully pointing out that Cousy played against “plumbers and firemen.”
Bob Cousy played in the NBA from 1950-63. During that era players weren’t getting paid much at all and I’m pretty sure a Super Max back then meant that you got the privilege of taking home any leftovers from the concession stands after home games. Guys had to work during the offseason to support their families.
Redick’s dismissal of Cousy as an all time great eventually made its way to the former Celtic.
On SirusXM’s NBA Radio Bob Cousy addressed the statement.
First things first: Credit to Bob Cousy for being alive at the ripe young age at 93 years old. I don’t think Redick even knew he was still living or he probably would have thought twice about mentioning him on ESPN in the first place.
It took Cousy a while to respond, but to be fair he is 93 years old. It’s pretty wild to think about having to defend your honor against some whippersnapper that wasn’t even alive for the two decades after you retired let alone while you were playing. But this is the 21st century. You either fire back your hot take or cease to exist.
Bob Cousy came out swinging. “People with less talent will always try to make a name for themselves by criticizing other people and hopefully getting some attention, and perhaps increasing their credibility.”
That’s a brutal put down coming from a 93 year old Hall of Famer. Nevermind the fact that if you dropped JJ Redick into a time machine and had him suit up to play in the 50’s he’d look like a terminator compared to those guys.
Cousy then listed some of the guys he played alongside while continually mocking JJ Redick’s “Fireman” comment. “Wilt Chamberlain… remember that guy… guess he must have fought fires as well…”
It’s funny to hear Bob Cousy gush about Wilt Chamberlain and happily name drop him to prove a point about how great his opponents were. Especially when you consider that he wrote a book after he retired where he chided Chamberlain as a selfish player. Cousy even went on record as calling Wilt “the biggest complainer in the league.” This was after Wilt complained about what he viewed as racist treatment by the league and officials.
I guess we’ll have to wait and see what JJ Redick’s response to Cousy’s response is. Again, my guess is he probably forgot ol’ Houdini of the Hardwood was still alive. Personally I hope JJ doubles down and challenges the old man to a game of HORSE.
Mandatory Credit: ESPN
You are an ass…..and not even a perfect ass…….JJ would not have survived a quarter in the 60’s…..it would be funny to watch….kind of similar to you trying to do analysis…you are amusing…not very good, as deep as a reflecting pond but….amusing nonetheless….
JJ Redick is one of the smartest NBA analysts going… but he flubbed this Cousy story.