NBA legend Jerry West thinks J.J. Redick’s comments on Bob Cousy were ‘very distressing'’

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NBA legend Jerry West does not appreciate the assertion by former NBA player and ESPN analyst J.J. Redick that six-time NBA champion Bob Cousy played against "plumbers and firemen." 

Redick made the comments in April when he and "First Take" panelist Chris "Mad Dog" Russo were discussing Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul. 

ESPN broadcasters Dave Pasch and J.J. Redick prior to a game between the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns at FTX Arena March 9, 2022, in Miami, Fla.  (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

‘Let’s celebrate Bob Cousy in his era, but you cannot compare pre-1980 to the modern NBA," Redick said. 

"He was being guarded by plumbers and firemen," Redick continued as Russo argued that Cousy "changed the game." 

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Now, West is firing back, calling Redick’s comments "disrespectful." 

"Obviously the game is completely different, the athletes are completely different," West said on Sirius XM NBA Radio. "And I know J.J. just a little bit. He’s a very smart kid and everything, but tell me what his career looked like? What did he do that determined games? He averaged 12 points a game in the league. Somewhere along the way, numbers count.

LA Clippers executive board member Jerry West attends a game between the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center July 7, 2022, in Las Vegas.  (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

"The only reason I’m talking about him is because he was not an elite player, but he was a very good player. But he had a place on a team because of his ability to shoot the ball."

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