The Fan Voice: "The Arrival of Redick"

By Live or Die Magic | November 12th, 2009

In a relatively quiet manner, with no one noticing save those setting out to notice it, JJ Redick has transformed himself into a solid NBA basketball player. Over the course of the past 12 months, and specifically the past 12 days, JJ has proven to this Magic fan that he is just as important to our depth as Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes, and Marcin Gortat.

Consider that JJ has survived Maurice Evans, Keith Bogans, and Courtney Lee as former Magic shooting guards who have come and gone during his tenure. Now, despite the signing of Mickael Pietrus and the trade for Vince Carter, here’s JJ, averaging 30 minutes per game with 6 starts in 9 games this season. Sure, we have been hit hard with injuries so far this season, but even last night, with both Carter and Pietrus in the lineup, JJ still played 20 minutes and again got into double figure points. Take a further look, and you’ll see that it appears he is the only shooting guard on the roster who can stay consistently healthy.

JJ Redick remains one of the most discussed players the Magic have ever drafted. Whether you liked him in college or hated him, everyone assumed he would be the type of player in the pros that he was at Duke. We’ve spent over three seasons now making this unrealistic and unfair comparison. Perhaps even JJ spent some time struggling with the assumption that his NBA career would be as smooth and successful as his college career. While records and accolades have not followed Redick to the pros, on thing remains constant: he plays for a hard nosed coach who preaches defense, discipline, and individual sacrifice.

As much as any player on the roster, Redick has been molded to Stan Van Gundy’s image of what an NBA player should be. His incomparably sweet shooting stroke aside, JJ’s game has all the attributes of Stan Van Gundy basketball. On offense he is constantly moving, looking for space, and taking the open jumper when he has it. Gone is the hesitation he showed during his first couple of seasons. It was maddening to watch JJ then. He’d have three-to-five feet of space to put up a shot – ample space for a quick, rhythm shooter – but more often he would simply pump fake and then look to pass. Now, if JJ pump fakes, it is intended, and it can just as easily be followed by a move toward the lane as by an effortless 3-pointer. He is comfortable driving to the basket or utilizing back door cuts to catch interior passes and get easy layups. He has also demonstrated the knack for the timely extra pass. All of this is basketball “know how” that he already possessed, but now he appears comfortable using this knowledge at this level. In fact, you could actually argue that he has learned to turn his brain off and just allow his basketball instincts to take over.

On defense, he stays with his man as best he can and is ready to offer help defense when needed. JJ may never be a lock down defender and may always struggle with both size and speed when defending opposing shooting guards. But as Stan Van Gundy will tell you, defense, and especially team defense, is primarily about effort. Teams may not be able to avoid a bad shooting night on occasion, but there isn’t much excuse for a lack of effort on defense. Effort on defense is one area that Redick excels as much as any other Magic player. Even though Stan was not yet here when we drafted JJ, it almost seems that JJ is one of Stan’s guys. Redick listens to Coach Van Gundy and it appears that Van Gundy has complete confidence that when Redick is on the floor, he will give Stan exactly what he expects. I have to wonder if even Stan expected Redick to be averaging 12 points per game and 42% from beyond the arc (actually, he probably WAS expecting that second part).

It was very appropriate that after a horrible defensive performance last night against the Cavaliers, Stan Van Gundy singled out JJ Redick in his post-game press conference. He didn’t single out JJ for a great shooting night or for stellar play, but for his willingness to be the first player to stand up and admit to his teammates and coaches that the Magic are just not a very good team right now. This is a sentiment that Stan has been sharing with anyone that will listen for at least a full week now. See, now Stan and JJ are even starting to think alike!

The fact that JJ is willing to speak up in a locker room filled with all-stars is a testament to his character and how good a teammate he can be on the court and in the locker room. Remember that supposedly brash, almost egotistical, player we drafted out of Duke? Where is he now? Redick’s comfort and familiarity with his teammates is also evidenced by his ability to work just as effectively with the starting unit as with the second unit. He no longer has any issues with getting into the flow of the game. One argument made for his earlier struggles was that he was used to starting and playing bigger minutes and did not have the consistent playing time needed to get comfortable and loose. While that argument might have had some merit at the time, Redick now appears comfortable and “in the flow” from the minute he steps on the court, whether that’s at the start of the 1st quarter or the start of the 2nd.

I submit to you this assumption: Redick will still be an integral part of the rotation this season, even once the Magic are fully loaded. The average Magic fan has taken it as fact that the Magic will allow Redick to walk after this season as a restricted free agent or be included in some mid-season trade. While both are realistic possibilities, I think that the Magic, and Coach Stan Van Gundy in particular, like who JJ has become and see him as being an integral part of this championship caliber team for many seasons to come.

I mentioned earlier that it was unfair to assume that JJ would be the same type of player for the Magic that he was in college. I think maybe I should qualify that statement. JJ may not be as prolific a player for the Magic as he was at Duke. But he actually is still the same type of player. A player who can shoot “lights out”, a player who will play exactly as his coach demands, a player who shows leadership both on and off the court, and a player who can be and wants to be, the best teammate possible.

This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.

Great write up on JJ, LoDM.

I think JJ has done an awesome job in transforming his game to fit the NBA level...

I wish that half our draft picks would of done this...

Interesting angle on the Redick debate. I wonder what kind of interest he will recieve on the open market next summer? Personally, he seems like the optimal backup to a guy like vince, and I assume he would come relatively cheap

Horace Grant approves.

quote:

Originally posted by Jareth Cutestory:
Horace Grant approves.

I'll bill you later.

J.J. Redick is simply becoming Mr. Intangibles.

This Redick fan, who's well documented as a Redick-in-his-Duke-days-for-what-he-did-to-my-Tarheels hater, is very happy to see his boy finally find his niche.

His play won't sway the doubters, but his willingness to HELP THE TEAM should at least sate their hate for a while.

Glad to hear JJ speak out about the teams effort. What has impressed me is his improvement is as much mental as physical.

Glad to see his draft position finally being justified.

Superb write-up. I was thinking last night that Otis is probably kicking himself for letting Courtney Lee go but in the case of JJ, he's a survivor and in most cases, that will overshadow the best of them. His legacy at Duke will never be forgotten. The fact that Coach K still cares enough to provide him constructive criticism and JJ can withstand the wrath of SVG and play to his expectations proves he is worthy of his place with the team.

I often thought that JJ raised the bar too high in his early NBA years. We all expected those 30-40 point games. I remember his freshman year at Duke. He was wet behind the ears and he was the same in his first year with the Magic. He had to learn what it takes and take his lumps the hard way.

Last night Jeff VanGundy and Hubie Brown made an effort to point out how far JJ has come and that he has arrived to be an all around player. Those are words I never thought I'd hear. JJ may never be a Kobe Bryant or a Dwayne Wade. He's just JJ, take him or leave him!

I hope this doesn't end up side tracking things but while I really appreciate JJ being the first person to speak up after the turd that was last night's game he shouldn't have to be that guy. I think it's great that he is a vocal leader but I'm kinda ticked that Dwight and Jameer weren't the first ones to speak up after the game.

That aside, the guy has obviously worked very hard and deserves to be praised for how far he's come.

You make a good point Marc...and I won't dispute that. I think between JJ stepping up first, and SVG calling out that fact, followed by him calling out Howard and Nelson, we will see a renewed focus on effort on the defensive end. Granted, it may not be as obvious tomorrow night against NJ.

Also, much thanks for the props from the Redick fans! I am one of us!

Very nice read Live or Die. I always enjoy your write ups.

I always liked JJ's game but felt he was missing some stuff. He's worked hard on his game and right now I feel more comfortable with him on the floor. He now actually backs up my belief in him with solid contributions and that's something I can always be happy about.

JJ has worked his way into this team in a way that was pretty unexpected. I'm very pleased with the way he's grown up, as a player and as a man, and I would like to have him around long term.
When he'll put together his "shoot light outs" ability with the "intangibles", night after night, on a regular basis, he would be definitely a strong role player.

And I think that after a difficult time finding his spot, he would be pretty happy to stay in Orlando.


Great read as always LoDM.

I am very happy for my boy. I always said he was all heart and had great leadership qualities. So glad he's carved a niche. Go Magic!!!