Chris Finch’s playful shot at JJ Redick wasn’t just a joke — it revealed how the Lakers’ head coach is still being viewed around the league, and why Los Angeles should welcome every bit of that noise.
When Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch joked that “podcasting will qualify you to coach the Lakers,” he wasn’t whispering. He said it onstage during a live Zach Lowe show in Minneapolis, doubling down with a line about how most people in the room could probably start their own pod that night. The crowd laughed, the clip circulated instantly, and another wrinkle was added to the Lakers-Wolves rivalry.
Demon finch 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/JpIY1nnYBa
— Wolves Talk (@twolvestalk32) November 14, 2025
For Redick, the comment landed right in the middle of a season defined by buy-in, culture, and proving-it-on-the-floor competitiveness. It also surfaced the lingering narrative that still hangs over him: that he didn’t take the traditional coaching route, that he jumped from the podcast studio to the sideline, and that some peers still view him as the “podcaster turned coach.”
Finch has a long history with Redick, and he’s praised him before. He was also his coach at some point during Redick’s career as a player. That’s what makes this jab more playful than personal. It’s a friendly shot — but it’s also a reminder that Redick’s hiring disrupted the league’s idea of what a coach’s résumé is supposed to look like.
And if you’re the Lakers? That’s exactly the kind of banter you use as fuel.
A Rivalry That’s Not Going Away
Minnesota eliminated the Lakers in the postseason, and both teams are loaded with competitive personalities. The Lakers are currently 2-0 against the Timberwolves this season. Every comment, every podcast clip, every little dig becomes storyline material — and this one fits perfectly. Finch can joke, but he also knows the Lakers under Redick play hard, defend, and compete even when the roster is thin. That’s a sign of coaching, not podcasting.
The Bigger Picture for LA
Redick doesn’t need to clap back. His response can stay on the floor: game plans, adjustments, player development, and a locker room that has bought into him. Every win tightens the bond between him and the franchise. Every competitive stretch quiets the pundits, the skeptics, and yes — even the coaches joking from the other sideline.
Because if the Lakers keep trending upward, the punchline flips.
Podcasting might be the reason JJ Redick got the job. But winning is going to be the reason he keeps the job.
