J.J. Reddick Compares ‘Mad Dog’ Russo To A Fox News Anchor In Heated ‘First Take’ Segment

ESPN

• Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is having himself a predictably eventful postseason.
• Green was ejected in Game 1 and gave Grizzlies fans the finger in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semis.
• During a debate about the topic on First Take, J.J. Reddick compared Chris “Mad Dog” Russo to a Fox News anchor.

Former NBA player J.J. Reddick has become one of ESPN’s best NBA analysts during his short time with the company, and as a result, he makes frequent appearances on First Take, arguably the network’s flagship series (other than Sportscenter, of course).

During an appearance on Wednesday morning’s episode, Reddick — who played with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Dallas Mavericks during his 15-year NBA career — took issue with comments made by Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, who was discussing the latest situation involving Draymond Green.

Green, who was controversially ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies, was seen giving the finger to Grizzlies fans as he exited the court during Game 2.

Making a point about his dislike of Green’s outspoken nature, Reddick cut the veteran radio personality off to disagree with him, saying that the type of rhetoric he’s using is usually seen on Fox News.

J.J. Reddick compares Mad Dog Russo to a Fox News anchor in a contentious First Take segment

“I’m not saying it’s a race situation, I’m saying that the fans you’re talking about [older fans], they take about athletes *that way*, the way you just talked about an athlete,” a clearly passionate Reddick said to Russo.

“People at Fox News talk about athletes that way. That’s my issue. I don’t actually care about the fans that watched Bob Cousey play, and watched Wilt Chamberlain play — I don’t care. I appreciate that they have been NBA fans for that long, but I don’t appreciate the undertone.”

The series between the Grizzlies and the Warriors, which is tied at one-game-a-piece following Memphis’ 106-101 Game 2 victory, will resume in San Francisco on Saturday, May 7.

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