“Both of these guys’ legacies are secured”: JJ Redick on LeBron James and Kevin Durant being under pressure to win another title

JJ Redick, a retired National Basketball Association player who now is a sports analyst for ESPN so far has the most unique answer on the ring chase between Nets and Lakers.  Sitting alongside Stephen A. Smith at First Take JJ Redick gave a clear response for what he thinks regarding the pressure on LeBron James and Kevin Durant to win a title.

LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers were already the title favorites even before the season started as the team drew great attention and potential on paper due to their off-season signings and exchanges. The front desk with the help of LeGM (LeBron James) built a veteran roster as the King hand-picked and recruited players like Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook to join them. But the reality differs a lot as the Los Angeles Lakers are currently ranked as the ninth seed in the western conference with the record of 26 wins and 29 losses at .473 as the team fails to deliver and has seen falling short on chemistry.

On the other hand, Kevin Durant the new king in the east who ruled the conference with the best record for months is now sidelined due to an MCL sprain, and the team is seen suffering as they fall in a play-in spot losing 9 games straight. The BIG 3:- Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving still hold potential but aren’t the same as James is not having a good season, Kyrie is still unvaccinated and Kevin is injured with some trade talks regarding the beard getting hot. Currently, the Brooklyn Nets are ranked as the 8^th seed in the eastern conference with the record of 29 wins and 25 losses at .537.

JJ Redick in a recent viral clip of his at First Take had a very different and unique perspective for both the superstars leading the Nets and the Lakers to a championship run.

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JJ Redick’s belief of LeBron James and Kevin Durant being under no pressure to win another title

JJ Redick replying to which superstar is under more pressure to win another title quoted: “I don’t think there is pressure on either guy. Look I think both of this players when we talk about legacies I think both of these guys legacies are secure. Kevin Durant is one of the greatest all-time scorers. He’s been to four finals, two championships, two finals MVP’s tore his Achilles in 2019. This level of greatness from him at age 33 after an Achilles tear, this is a bonus.” Appreciating and praising Kevin Durant for his greats JJ showcased why there is no pressure on him to win another title.

Further talking about LeBron James and his greats JJ quoted: “Lebron James ten finals, eight straight. Leaves the east wins a championship in his second year in L.A. One of the two or three greatest players of all time. I don’t think they (KD and Bron) feel any pressure to win another championship. Certainly, they want to win another championship…both these guys their careers are validated. They don’t need another one to validate anything.”

Adding on to it JJ Redick also discussed super-teams and big threes as he reflected the history of the league while drawing names like Bulls, Celtics and Lakers. But one thing he pressed on was the pressure always being there as he quoted: “There’s always going to be pressure on great players.” As he himself was an athlete he further added his personal opinion of players pressurizing themselves to win. Somewhere JJ is very right as LeBron James and Kevin Durant are already regarded as one of the best players to ever step up on a basketball court and they have nothing left to prove.

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