The celebration heard ’round the world was more intense Tuesday night and Wednesday, but aftershocks of the Timberwolves’ viral reaction to qualifying for the NBA playoffs continue to be felt.
Among the notable responses came from a fired-up J.J. Redick. The former Clippers sharpshooter, on his podcast The Old Man and the Three, ranted for just over two minutes about the NBA on TNT crew and others mocking Minnesota for their playoff-clinching victory like they had the NBA title.
Related: In mocking Wolves celebrations, LeBron, Shaq, and Barkley prove themselves thieves of joy
“Just to provide some context about the Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns was with Flip [Saunders], who passed away. Karl-Anthony Towns has lost his mother and a number of family members to COVID. Patrick Beverley is the ultimate chip on your shoulder guy who felt disrespected by the Clippers,” said Redick.
“My point is for all the knock against professional athletes, we witnessed in real time them showing that it matters. Them showing how much they cared. They cared. The city cared. The fans cared. The team cared. The players cared. They cared. And we’re going to make fun of that? It’s wrong,” he continued.
Redick wasn’t done.
“There were moments in my career in high school, in college, in the NBA, when you go through something, you set a goal whatever it may be or you go through a series that is so hard fought, yes you get emotional. I cried after we beat the Spurs in 2015. It was the first round,” he recalled.
“Did I feel like I had accomplished some great thing? That I had a ring on my finger? F*** no. But you know what? It was emotional because it f****** mattered and I cared. And to go through that and to go through everything that that team has gone through, I’m off of it. I’m not a fan of the jest towards them.”
JJ explains why he has a real problem w/ people making fun of The Timberwolves for celebrating. pic.twitter.com/OaXwPxe2Pu
— TheYoungManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) April 14, 2022
