Bussin' With The Boys Best of the Bus: JJ Redick Almost Quit Basketball While At Duke & The Legendary Best Pizzas Tier Talk
Mar 21, 2026
JJ Redick, former NBA sharpshooter turned media figure and podcaster. He discusses NBA player rankings, the mental struggle of nearly quitting at Duke, transitioning into media, and therapy’s role in his life. Lighter moments include a fiery pizza tier debate and a classic MJ vs LeBron showdown.
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Record Frequently To Kill Podcast Nerves
- Get reps to reduce performance anxiety on podcasts: Redick needed 20–30 episodes before recording felt natural and he stopped chugging beers to calm nerves.
- He started over-preparing, then relaxed into a flow after repeated episodes and co-host support.
Retirement Feels Like Losing A Self Until You Rebuild It
- Redick describes identity crisis near retirement: decades-long athletic identity made walking away terrifying, even amid gratitude for the career.
- Therapy, time-value exercises and ownership of his platform helped him accept retirement and find new purpose in media.
Why NBA Players Have More Power Than NFL Players
- Redick contrasts NBA and NFL power dynamics: NBA stars wield more roster and roster-construction leverage because of smaller teams and on-court impact.
- He links guaranteed contracts and homegrown rookie talent to greater NBA player empowerment versus NFL structures.