Finally, J.J. Redick Makes His Mark
by Evan Dunlap on May 28, 2010 2:00 PM EDT
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PrintGiven Vince Carter's struggles, the Orlando Magic should count themselves fortunate that they're within striking distance of the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, trailing 3-2 and facing elimination tonight in Game 6. But as was the case during Carter's January slump, J.J. Redick has stepped up and produced admirably. At this point, it's fair to ask, "where would the Orlando Magic be without Redick?" The answer depends on where their players plan to vacation once the season ends, and I'm only half kidding.
12 points in 27 minutes per game, on 70.3% True Shooting, for Orlando's backup two-guard in this series, scoring in double-figures three times and reaching exactly 9 points twice. He's certainly impressed Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who likened him to Pistol Pete Maravich and said, "I think J.J. Redick has been their most consistent player in this series." And Kelly Dwyer devoted an entire post to praising him yesterday "[d]espite that thing on [his] chin."
The point here? Not too long ago, Redick was fed up with not playing and wanted a trade. He stuck with it. The Magic stuck with him. And now his strong play has them tantalizingly close to pulling off a historic comeback and earning their second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. It's nice when things work out for the best, isn't it?
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The bad part is
He is driving up his value as we type. Hope we can keep him around for a reasonable price.
JJ's made a believer out of me.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
Me too
I used to love to hate him when he was at Duke and the Magic drafted him (I’m a FSU grad). But clutch performances combined with Magic pinstripes has completely changed my attitude towards the guy.
"I just Rashard'ed my pants!!!!"
by Wally Balls 407 on May 28, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
CelticBlog reporting Glen Davis will play tonight.
"I just Rashard'ed my pants!!!!"
by Wally Balls 407 on May 28, 2010 2:24 PM EDT reply actions
I would like to say that after Doc Rivers yelled at Davis to get up and run while he was almost unconscious
he doesn’t deserve to be called Doc anymore.
Time to get that finger bling-bling
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Well, now ESPN is saying they haven't made a decision yet...
"I just Rashard'ed my pants!!!!"
by Wally Balls 407 on May 28, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
We do????
OMG!!!!!
"I just Rashard'ed my pants!!!!"
by Wally Balls 407 on May 28, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously?
That’s fine… I just hope he doesn’t get hit in the head again.
``There’s no need to quit. There’s no need to say that we’re going down fighting because we’re not going down. You just have to think positive and if you think negative you are going to lose. Like I told the guys in the locker room, `If anybody has any doubt, we’re not going to win. But if everybody’s on the same page and believes we’re going to win, then we’re going to win it.’’’ -Dwight Howard
by BleedingBlueSince89 on May 28, 2010 2:35 PM EDT reply actions
Because it's conceivable it could kill him
Or cause serious long term brain injury.
I love the Magic and baskeetball, but I don’t think people should die over it.
by eltharion_doa on May 28, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Then he shouldn't play
You can’t care about someone more than they care about themselves
Sometimes
Especially after a brain injury, people aren’t making good decisions and thinking about long term consequences.
by eltharion_doa on May 28, 2010 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I love to make fun of JJ but he's been having his first real solid year.
I don’t even think he’ll leave this summer. I’ll push my optimism further and say that if he’ll start getting more minutes even his defense will improve.
Time to get that finger bling-bling
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
I hope he doesn't...
… but I’d understand if he left to go to a team that’d give him more playing time. Problem for the Magic is that with the slumps Carter seems to be prone to, we need JJ.
by alwaysforgiven821 on May 28, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
no one in a right set of mind will leave VC without a solid back-up.
Time to get that finger bling-bling
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Is it just me
or does JJ look A LOT bigger this year? Think maybe him and Rashard had the same off-season regimen? Hey, I can keep a secret if you can…
"I just Rashard'ed my pants!!!!"
by Wally Balls 407 on May 28, 2010 2:45 PM EDT reply actions
I'm not a Duke hater
because I like villains. And in college, everyone hated JJ and he stepped up all the time. Watching that Reggie Miller 30 for 30 made me miss villains. Not dirty players, but guys that stepped up their game when it matters.
I’m happy for the guy. I wonder if management thinks he can be the starting SG after we trade Vince?
Thanks Vince.
If Orlando would have actually played JJ Redick LESS minutes in this series to-date …
i.e. by exclusively matching-up:
ROTATION PLAYERS at the PG, OG, and SF positions
i. Vince Carter vs Ray Allen
ii. Mickael Pietrus vs Paul Pierce
iii. Jameer Nelson vs Rajon Rondo
iv. Matt Barnes vs Tony Allen
RESERVE PLAYER at the OG position
v. JJ Redick vs Michael Finley
NON-ROTATION PLAYERS at the G or SF positions
vi. Jason Williams vs Nate Robinson
vii. Anthony Johnson vs Marquis Daniels
then they never would have fallen into an 0-3 hole, to begin with.
JJ Redick is a nice enough player player … especially, as a Back-up off the bench against a player like Michael Finley; or, as a starting PG for a team running the Triangle Offense … but, the truth of the matter is that in this series he has GIVEN UP just as much as he’s GAINED for the Magic, overall, when you measure his “offensive contributions” against his “defensive and rebounding” short-comings.
If/when Orlando eventually wins this series it will not have been because of what JJ Redick has done … despite the fact he has played pretty well, given his specific skill set and the what you may have been lead to believe by Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and an assortment of different stat heads across the internet.
The Magic’s key [i.e. important] performers, thus far, have been:
[in order]
Stan Van Gundy [who was woeful in Games 1, 2 and 3]ii. Jameer Nelson
iii. Dwight Howard
iv. Brandon Bass
v. JJ Redick
vi. Matt Barnes
vii. Rashard Lewis
viii. Vince Carter
ix. Mickael Pietrus
x. Jason Williams
xi. Marcin Gortat [who was bad in Games 1, 2, 3 and 4]
xii. Ryan Anderson [who has been woefully under-utilised, thus far]
xiii. Anthony Johnson [who has been a DNP-CD each game]
If SVG would have used his personnel properly, since Game 1 of this series, it would be Orlando with a 3-2 lead at this point with the Celtics being the team on the brink of elimination in this evening’s Game 6.
khandor
I DON'T UNDERSTAND A WORD YOU'RE SAYING !
How can you have Bass before JJ and how do you do your lists ? and by the way, this post is JJ’s party, don’t spoil it.
Time to get that finger bling-bling
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
It was okay until I saw Bass as #4.
by alwaysforgiven821 on May 28, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL...
It’s like I’ve always been saying around here… This place and it’s posters HATE Brandon Bass.
His body type/play style/energy is exactly what is needed against a team like Boston. If we make it past them, he will be just as valuable against L.A.
Against the Suns, I don’t thnk we would have as great a use for him.
For my part I don't hate Bass. I wouldn't put him above JJ and I still think he looks kind of lost.
Defense is a must but against the Celtics you need quick and good offense to get it donne IMO and JJ was far more valuable than BB in that. I did enjoy Brandon’s energy though.
Time to get that finger bling-bling
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
That is where I was coming from as well.
In this series JJ has been on of out most valuable commodities.
by alwaysforgiven821 on May 28, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Nobody hates Bass
We just recognise his limitations.
Body types don’t win basketball games, defense does and Bass is a poor defender other than one on one in the post.
by eltharion_doa on May 28, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
This.
"I just Rashard'ed my pants!!!!"
by Wally Balls 407 on May 28, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
man this game is huge.
I feel like this is a game 7, whoever wins goes to the finals.
Good luck (kinda), may the better team win (hoping for the Celtics, lol)
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by bestbostonsports on May 28, 2010 4:31 PM EDT reply actions
From Lakers Fan
Hope your team can bring home a W tonight so we all can enjoy game 7.
Tim Donaghue
Not sure how to spell his last name, regardless, not sure how much we can really read into this. I live in Las Vegas, I was listening to espn radio and they were talking about a writer from the Boston area who called Tim and asked him what he thought of the Refs lineup for tonights game, Tim mentioned that Orlando might as well dust off their golf clubs because their season will end tonight. I realize Tim has had his issues, some may say that he’s a liar and so on so forth. I have seen and heard some of his interviews and don’t really care for him, but with some of the stuff he says, it could be true, what does he have to lose at this point in his life, he’s already lost almost everything. I don’t know what to take from this, but it clearly shows that the refs do have a say in the outcome, there is a lot of bias involved when refereeing. He mentioned in a previous interview that Refs hold grudges against certain players. What do you guys think? Let’s go Magic, let’s bring it back to Orlando for game 7 and make history. GO MAGIC!!!
by Hassanali181 on May 28, 2010 4:43 PM EDT reply actions
I woudn't read too much into it
Donaghy has been appearing on radio broadcasts recently to give his opinion (for whatever it’s worth) on the officiating in the series. It’s just a paycheck for him and the more controversy he can stir up and the more opinions he can sway the more he’ll be booked for appearances in the future. IMHO the refs scheduled to work a game should not be made public because it sways betting patterns and changes odds tremendously. I’m not reading too much into it but it’s an interesting caveat. Ultimately the better team will win.
"I just Rashard'ed my pants!!!!"
by Wally Balls 407 on May 28, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Donaghy
Would say anything to prolong his 15 minutes. His credibility is shot, his career is over – he’s desperate.
Does that mean he’s wrong? No, not necessarily. But you do kinda have to take everything he says with a salt mine of, er, salt.
by eltharion_doa on May 28, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Good points. God I hope he’s wrong about the outcome tonight.
by Hassanali181 on May 28, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Back to JJ
I have been a JJ fan when he played for Duke. JJ could have developed sooner if he had gone to another team but now he is solid for the Magic. As a free agent, I hope he goes to a team where he will be a starter and gets on with his career. I would hate to see him leave the Magic but he needs to look out for himself. He has been held in the shadows long enough. Next season is his time. This should get the Nelson fans stirred up. As JJ fan I can remember when Nelson would not even pass the ball to him. Two years ago.
JJ has been the most consistent player in all of the playoff games.
I'm not so sure....
JJ wants to jump ship to start. Listening to him on the Simmons podcast he definitely seemed more concerned with winning than getting paid. I remember being at the O-rena and the chants for J.J. would start during garbage time, as he was buried next to James Augustine on the bench. Its great to see him come in and contribute, and for the most part be consistently reliable. Here’s to hoping Redick is back in blue and white next year, and possibly hoisting a 6th man trophy at the end of the season….
I'm with you on that
I’m pretty sure he said something along the lines of, “I’d rather come off the bench and compete for a championship than start for a team at the bottom of the league.”
It’s not inconceivable to think that he might turn down larger offers from bad teams on which he would start in order to stay with the Magic.
Go Titans! Go Magic!
"I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, and wear Reebok." - Shaq
"They was instinuating that I was gay" - Charles Barkley
Would it be wise for the Magic to move Carter in the off-season if possible, and award JJ with a new contract and he could man the SG spot. Or is JJ best suited as a role player off the bench?
by Hassanali181 on May 28, 2010 6:44 PM EDT reply actions
That would be nice....
but realistically what’s the value of an aging SG who shrinks in the playoffs? We all know VC has all the talent in the universe, but he’s not showing it right now. His contract does expire after next season though, so there could be some benefit there in a possible sign and trade, although its unlikely.
His contract doesn't expire after next season
He’s got two years left. The final year is only partially guaranteed, though, meaning he could be cut for around $4m.
Nobody is going to give us anything decent for him until the trade deadline, so unless we desperately want to take shitty players and contracts off someone else, Carter’s not going anywhere.
by eltharion_doa on May 29, 2010 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions
In NBA 2K10, I put Carter on the "trading block" and the Blazers offered me Brandon Roy (averaging 31/5/6) and Rudy Fernandez for him.
It’s too bad for Orlando that real-life Kevin Pritchard isn’t nearly that insane.
But you’re right, Carter’s value will be limited.
by Evan Dunlap on May 29, 2010 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I got Kevin Durant for Brandon Bass
Brandon Bass has a bright future in 2k10
A Florida Gator who is very happy for J.J.
I too, remember those games in the Arena and the calls from the bleachers for JJ to get PT (playing time) at the end of games. I give the coach credit, JJ’s defense was not up to NBA level to allow him heavy minutes, but damn, its good to see him on the floor now.
I remember the countless ESPN highlights i’ve seen of the guy in college, and how is must have felt going from the NCAA College Player of the Year to being buried at the end of a bench. One game, he even spent time sitting on the Gatoraide cooler!
Then, he had to watch Jameer Nelson come in (another NCAA College Player of the Year), make the adjustment to the NBA game defensively, and get decent minutes. Anyone who has played organized basketball knows that a million pats on the back and “hang in there’s” can’t undo what that does mentally to a ball player with a winning history and spirit.
So BIG UP to J.J. Redick for stepping up his game on the practice level, and for earning every second he gets on the floor.
BIG UP to J.J. also for enduring the challenges on the psyche that sitting and waiting for his turn to come brought his way…knowing that he will prove his doubters wrong, and open the eyes of those who thought he basically fell off the face of the earth when he left Durham.
Proud to say that J.J.’s jersey is the only one I have purchased in white with the pinstripes. Been pulling for him for years (post-Dukie, of course!).
Now, Orlando Magic…in the words of the iconic Deion Sanders…..
PAY DA’ MAN!!!!
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