Why isn’t J.J. Redick playing?
I used to hate J.J. Redick for the same reason you did: because he gave my favorite college team (Georgetown) a massive helping of savage bucketry. But now that J.J. is no longer lighting it up at Duke and I can reserve that leftover hate for somebody like Jon Scheyer, I’ve actually found myself in Redick’s corner, wondering why he can’t get any playing time with the Orlando Magic.
Last night, Redick scored 12 points off the bench in Orlando’s preseason opener against Atlanta, outperforming the team’s other two-guards: starter Mickael Pietrus, rookie Courtney Lee and last year’s starter, Keith Bogans. But odds are that once the season starts, all three of those guys will get more burn. Redick has made it clear he wants to be traded if Stan Van Gundy isn’t going to play him, but Magic GM Otis Smith doesn’t appear to have any plans on making a deal, and for whatever reason would rather keep his ‘06 Lottery pick buried on the bench.
I kind of understood why J.J. didn’t play much as a rookie. He was injured going into the season, and by the time he got healthy, then-coach Brian Hill had already set the team’s rotation and the Magic were on a roll, headed toward the playoffs. But that was two years ago. What I don’t get about J.J.’s inability to see the court today is that he fits right into how Orlando plays under Van Gundy. This team lives and dies by the three-ball — they were third in the League in attempts last season, with Bogans finishing 16th individually — and they’ve got one of the best pure shooters in the world (check the video below) right on their bench, but they’re not using him at all.
Given a fair shot with another team, do you think J.J. Redick can have a solid NBA career?
October 7th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Gerard says:
Getting your shot off in college is much different from getting it off in the NBA. 2 guards would abuse him on defense, and even small point guards in the NBA have enough size/athleticism to guard such a one-dimensional player. And most everybody realized this while he was in college. He would put up a pump fake and watch his defender bite BAD back then, here defenders are too disciplined. What makes him any different than Steve Novak? Why does he deserve playing time over Matt Bonner? Because of a college legacy? That’s utter foolishness, Reddick could never make it in the NBA because he’s not talented enough. You can’t make a career out of being a career sharpshooter when the disparity between your percentages and those of elite players is not that much different because they have other facets to their game that make them worthy to the team. If you must pick up a one-dimensional player, make it someone whose talents are not commonplace (ie Ben Wallace).
October 7th, 2008 at 9:55 am
baller1133 says:
Matt Bonner is the best shooter in the NBA hands down…
October 7th, 2008 at 10:00 am
ERIC says:
Gerard, most coaches and scouts would agree that, shooting is less commonplace than a good defender (even though comparing the two are like comparing apples and oranges), meaning shooters are definitely always needed in the NBA. He deserves more PT than Novak or Bonner bc Reddick is a SHOOTING guard. Novak and Bonner are PF/SF sized and those positions are needed for tough rebounding men.
As a shooting guard, ballfakes and footwork are a large part of getting your shot off, ask Wizards-version MJ or Steve Kerr (I’m not putting JJ and MJ in the same stratosphere for obvious reasons, but just to show that athleticism is not the only way to get ones shot off).
I think Reddick could be a solid 10-15ppg scorer in the right system – like Golden State or the D’Antoni-led Knicks.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Brown says:
Lots of teams could use a shooter like him off the bench. I don’t think he’ll ever be a starter, but a sixth or seventh man for sure. We know he doesn’t need huge minutes to make an impact on the offensive end. He may be a defensive liability, but hey, so is Steve Nash.
I think he could average 8-10 ppg easily if given the chance to at least play 10-15 mpg.
Otis Smith never should have drafted him just to sit him on the bench. That’s two lottery picks in two years who ended up not playing for them. Those two picks, along with the outrageous and potentially hand-cuffing contract given to Rashard Lewis, Otis Smith doesn’t exactly have a glowing track record. If I was a Magic fan, I’d be worried about my team under his watch. Kevin McHale part 2???
October 7th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I Hustle says:
i think he deserves a chance to play. starting is a bit of a stretch because he may not be able to play defense. 12-15 minutes a game should be given to the only guy at the 2-guard spot on the roster that can hit a jumper consistently.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:04 am
PWeezy says:
1st year training camp he showed up to camp cocky and that set the tone for years to come as a pine rider…I think Zan Tabak got more burn them him in NBA minutes stars becomes chumps As quick as a tick in a New York minute
WEEEEZZZZY
October 7th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Russ says:
All I know is when he gets double digit tick he puts up numbers. Go look at all the games during the regular season he got at least 12-15 minutes….I think he might actually average double figures if you only take into account those games. I could never understand why they would play him like 15 minutes one game…he’d put up 12-15 points, and then the next game he would get a DNP?
October 7th, 2008 at 10:06 am
SayItAintSo says:
I strongly disagree with Gerard.
Each and every individual (most especially the guards) that enters the L needs time to adapt. J.J. would be no different. He has the stroke, the intangibles of being a team leader and being in the spotlight.
If the kid sees steady meaningful burn, he’s bound to be good. He WILL make mistakes, but he needs to be given room to fail before we label him a failure…that being said, I’m of the school of that that if he is given room to fail, he’ll only grow (from those mistakes) in a quality back-up 2 guard.
It’s ridiculous that two years later we STILL don’t know if he can or can’t handle the league.
The only reason I’m skeptical: If you use a lotto pick to take a guy…YOU PLAY HIM AFTER TWO YEARS! Unless! You see that he is utterly worthless in practice. Then, you burry him at the end of your bench, don’t let the world see him, and talk about how surprised you are with his development.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:15 am
yoda says:
i must admit that i didn’t see j.j. play, since i live in europe and ncaa games are not that often aired on tv. but, is jason kapono that much better defender then reddick? and kapono was important part of heat champion team.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Arrogant says:
Redick is a good player. True he is not a defesive guy but a shooter is always needed on a team. If Ben Gordon can make a name off shooting then i feel Redick can too…
October 7th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Ashlov says:
I don’t see why he couldn’t at the very least have a career as a solid three point option off the bench for a playoff team.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:51 am
loganlight says:
First things first… I hate JJ. Yep, just like AB, I couldn’t stand him in college…
BUT, game recognize game. Dude can shoot with the best of them.
He has seen some high pressure situations, and shown that he can preform adequately. I think that being on the Magic is a bad fit for him. JJ needs to be on a drive and kick team. Imagine sticking him in the corner with the Spurs, or on the wing with the Cavs… You’re telling me that he won’t get buckets?
He probably got lit up at the beginning of his career and then was never given the opportunity to crack the lineup. He got garbage minutes when they were available, but the Magic are definitely moving in a different direction.
OH, and Gerald, ask Melo about NBA players being more disciplined on defense…
LL
October 7th, 2008 at 10:53 am
loganlight says:
PS, one 3 point Shootout trophy would change his career a la Jason Kapono.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:08 am
MAYO~ 4~ROY says:
Everyone makes some valid points about JJ…but the question isn’t or shouldn’t be towards JJ but management.
Why sit a player, but refuse to trade him at the same time? Other teams have inquired about Redick…and he want’s out…
At first I was under the impression that they are going to unleash this guy next season…..ok..next season
wtf? YOu’re ruining his career, I’d rather play Reddick before Bogans…USE REDDICK AS AN ASSASSIN! OTIS STOP HOLDING YOUR D*CK
October 7th, 2008 at 11:23 am
justice says:
At least melo will rebound…jj should get burn it’s up to the coach to know how to mask him on d because he is that good of a shooter u need him out there, u have to do what they did with big ben in detroit on offense..that’s the coach’s job manage the talent stan…
i hate redick but any light out shooter like him has to get a shot
October 7th, 2008 at 11:30 am
YOUNGFED says:
I believe Reddick will always be a gifted scorer but his D isn’t up to par to get consistant burn. plus he’s not tall enuff to run the 2. However I would play Reddick before those other catz.
“Them other dudes come off the bench takin’ shots, hoping to hit it. But the stay fallin’ short like minutes going to Reddick.”- YOUNGFED. (LMAO)
No Applause please.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:35 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
The same reason Eric Crouch wasnt a good QB in the NFL. They are great college players. Great in their system. Great in a gimmick. Too one dimensional to succeed at the highest level unfortunately.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:37 am
QQ says:
I agree with the first poster. NBA defenders are just too good (not too mention NBA defensive schemes called by the coaches) for Reddick. As a Magic fan, I watched him many times and I see him struggling every time he gets the ball, because his defender is already in his face, unlike in college, where he can use a truck like Shelden Williams as a pick, and shoot freely.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:43 am
mavid says:
Lol, I dont like JJ because he´s kinda a douche. Simple as that. Examples include playing for Duke, slapping the floor to “fire up” his team, pounding his chest in an extremely lame way after making a 3, etc.
Cmon now.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Brandon Hoffman says:
I think JJ could play a Steve Kerr type role for a championship contender. The two most logical destinations are the Lakers and Spurs. Kerr excelled in Chicago’s triangle and he was a big part of San Antonio’s 2003 championship team. I don’t see any reason why JJ couldn’t plug his long distance accuracy and court savvy into those systems.
October 7th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
marcus the great says:
i’ve commented on this a long time ago, but…
i played against JJ in highschool and back then he wasnt that great. he can shoot the fuck outta the ball, but his HS system was like a Princeton offense: a bunch of screens and eventually he would be open for a jumper. he never brought the ball up the court (especially not against our press), he was never allowed to man up against any of us because he would get smashed. and this was HS. best jumper in the world? possibly. but he cant do ANYthing else. again i point to the mcdonald’s game he played in. everytime he did somethin other than shoot the J(drive, pass), it was a turnover or a steal.
BUT i still think he can do somethin in the L, never a starter. maybe like Barry or Horry for the Spurs or Korver for the Jazz (but then again they do other things that JJ cant like defense/rebounding) but a shooter like that could and should be utilized with the right coach/system
my 4 cents
October 7th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
BALLZ says:
JJ would kill with the Spurs. Duncan would make that kid some loot.
October 7th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Celts Fan says:
He can DEFINITELY have a solid career with good PT. Whether he becomes more than just another Fred Hoiberg type is still up in the air, but either way, he should be a good rotation/roll player type guy for 10+ years…
October 7th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Tyrone says:
It ain’t right what them Magic have done with the Duke baller y’all. Cat deserves a real shot with dude’s insane ability to get dope ‘n nasty buckets.
True thugz never lie.
Tryone
October 7th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
JoeCozi says:
Bottom line the same dudes he was giving the business to for 30 a night are the same dudes in the league right now..he was playing in the best conference in college hoops..I aint really a fan of his but dudes J is water..You guys are crazy with the comparisons Fred Hoiberg,Steve Kerr?? i smoke trees but what you guys smoking??…..come on now Reddick is like the all time leading scorer or something in college..he might give up some buckets but he would give D Howard a lot more room to work down low with his spacing and I’d much rather have reddick gunnin 3’s then Bogans…Bogans d aint even all that to make up for the lack of O I seen that fool get lit up consistently last year…
October 7th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Ian says:
justice
melo can rebound?? really
i think jj would be awesome with the spurs getting those open threes bowen gets.
the poll is close of durant al or oden. i think im the only one that takes durant last of the three.
eric
shooting is not less commonplace than defense there are less defensive specialist than shooters
October 7th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
stan van gundy is a bum coach. thats why jj redick aint playing.
stan van gundy doesnt know how to deal with players in in the nba or on his own team. this bum ass coach called out dwight howard last year when howard said he wanted more touches on offense. stan van said there would be a conflict with that. shit…..dwight was leading the league in rebouding, double doubles and fg%…not to mention among the leaders in dunks, blocks and scoring. dumb ass coach. if howard dont do those things for the magic, no one can do it. so what if howard wanted more touches….give it to him.
as for jj…..he should ask that the coach gets fired or he gets traded.
sadly though….for jj redicks strengths, he is already on the team that is best suited for him.
October 7th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Matty on the Mic says:
JJ is the man! He needs to get some love in the NBA; He won’t dissapoint once he gets some minutes…
October 7th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Kudabeen says:
The defensive argument is weak, because people act like teams always have 5 top level defenders on the floor at all times to win. That’s bull. Redick has proven to be a competitor, which is the biggest asset you can have. No he isn’t Bowen, but he shouldn’t have to be. You draft a guy knowing that he gets buckets and is an excellent worker, then you punish him for being what he always was. That’s the kind of backward management that keep you from succeeding.
Let him come in and spread the floor even more. Ball movement and footwork will allow dude to do his thing. If the magic plans to leave him on a island to guard Kobe, Dre-I, Joe Johnson (he needs a nickname), Vince, and the rest of the leagues 2 guards, they don’t want to win anyway.
Trade him to the Sixers, Miami, Hornets or the Cavs…They’ll find a use for him I’m sure…
October 7th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
heavy d says:
There’s a lot of players in the NBA who don’t D up well and still get playing time. I think he could be a contributor as a backup to Rip Hamilton (running the same sets/same role) or in an offense like San Antonio. More likely though is when he leaves Orlando he becomes a Euroleague stud.
What I don’t get is why Orlando keeps picking up his options? Play him, trade him, or cut him, but don’t treat him like canned peaches and store him on the shelf until you’re desperate.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen says:
So Robert Horry doesn’t qualify as one-dimensional (barely that), but Redick does?
October 7th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Clutch says:
Slow, unathletic, and short for an NBA two gaurd. He is Steve Kerr without the point gaurd skills or savvy court vision.
So no I don’t think he is ever going to be more than 11th off the bench.
October 7th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Diego says:
JJ deserves a shot in the league. Dime compared him a while ago with Salim Stoudamire, whom the Hawks (Mike Woodson) never let play, even though it was clear to everyone else he could get buckets when he got the chance.
San. Ant. got Salim, and the fans will like that pick-up. Hey, San. Ant. also has Bonner and quit ripping him! He may look like a goofy redheaded white boy, but he can play (and really shoot the rock). Toronto let him play, San Ant. so far has not. They should have played him and Udoka more in last year’s playoffs, rather than the grey hairs, and the Spurs might have hung around longer.
October 7th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
weng santos says:
Enough of this talk about one-dimensional. Redick was drafted- and drafted high- for his ability to shoot. Everybody knows that.
This talk about “can’t cut it” is just ridiculous. Run him off screens, kick out to him, put him in the corner off of doubles; there are tons of ways to employ shooters and get them open looks. And no amount of defense will prevent Redick from hitting an open look.
Steve Kerr was smaller, and less athletic for cryin’ out loud.
Redick can’t be a bust because he’s never been given the chance to show what he can do. Get Mike D’Antoni to coach him, stick him on the Suns or Spurs, or get him on pick and pops, staggered screens and down picks, and I’d bet the farm he’ll produce.
Maybe not as proficiently as Reggie Miller, but he’ll still score.
Dumb ass coaches know nothing but running pick and rolls, post plays, and isolations. That’s what the NBA is- it’s more entertainment than fundamental basketball. Everybody wants to see a highlight dunk and nobody cares about a boring perfect open jumper.
October 7th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Promoman says:
It’s obviously politics or something going on. When a team refuses to use a properly or use them at all, you can bet there’s something going on under the table
October 7th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Promoman says:
It’s obviously politics or something going on. When a team refuses to use a properly or use them at all, you can bet there’s something going on under the table
October 7th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Aron says:
Austin.
It looks like your story was read by the Magic brass.
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20081007/SPORTS16/81007015/1002/SPORTS
October 7th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Austin Burton says:
They should at least showcase him in the preseason and see if there’s any trade interest.
October 7th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Jason says:
I read a couple of posts from people in here that ACTUALLY WATCH THE GAMES!!! In the games that the Magic play the man, he puts up points! The brought him into a game last year against the bulls b/c they were down by 9 with 40 seconds left. Everyone on the court knew what he was in there for but yet he daggered back to back 3’s got the game to 2 and they took him out! What??? He needs to go to a real organization!
October 8th, 2008 at 1:37 am
analord says:
it bothers me how a player like JJ, who dominates the college level ball, is not gettin’ any burn so far in his career.
He can shoot, the whole world knows it. There are teams out there that need shooters. And in JJ you get a damn good one.
I also don’t get how the Magic is holding on to JJ for no apparent reason. Trade him, cut him, or play him. You don’t take a lottery guy and stick him to the bench…it’s not like he’s got no game whatsoever…
October 8th, 2008 at 1:46 am
analord says:
…or pretty soon we will see both JJ and Trajan Landon doing real well in the European front….
October 8th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Magnifico says:
give him to a team like the cavs and watch him rain 3s from LBJ’s passes.
Redick is definitely a back-up 2-guard ala Brent Barry. Hope he gets to play somewhere.
October 8th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
eric cooley says:
Good thread! But I still don’t quite understand the hatred directed at JJ– I mean, I CAN understand say, a Stephon Marbury etc., backlash, but JJ is a good guy, not to mention a great shooter. It appears all the same lame arguments in opposition to his game are recycled time and time again– I heard all these BEFORE he average 27ppg and led Duke to #1 status (for most of the season) and that’s NO EASY TASK.
Anyway, does anyone remember MARK PRICE? He had an NBA all-star career and was LES ATHLETIC and not too far off JJ in terms of ballhandling and defense. Where are (were) the Price-haters?
We’ll see about JJ. I do agree with the majority of the people here who think JJ is both a.) A bad fit with Orland and b.) untested and should be ahead of say, Keith Bogans, in the rotation.
One more thing (my 1 cents) A good SG always benefits and is dependent on a true pass-first, playmaking PG – and who does JJ end up with? JAMIER NELSON!!??? yikes.
October 8th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
eric cooley says:
Good thread! But I still don’t quite understand the hatred directed at JJ– I mean, I CAN understand say, a Stephon Marbury etc., backlash, but JJ is a good guy, not to mention a great shooter. It appears all the same lame arguments in opposition to his game are recycled time and time again– I heard all these BEFORE he averaged 27ppg and led Duke to #1 status (for most of the season) and that’s NO EASY TASK.
Trajon Langdon! hahaha. Gee, that’s original. Anyway, does anyone remember MARK PRICE? He had an NBA all-star career and was LES ATHLETIC and not too far off JJ in terms of ballhandling and defense. Where are (were) the Price-haters?
We’ll see about JJ. I do agree with the majority of the people here who think JJ is both a.) A bad fit with Orland and b.) untested and should be ahead of say, Keith Bogans, in the rotation.
One more thing (my 1 cents) A good SG always benefits and is dependent on a true pass-first, playmaking PG – and who does JJ end up with? JAMIER NELSON!!??? yikes.
October 9th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
SwedishMooze says:
sorry eric… Mark Price was a savvy point guard who could shoot and run an offense… the parallels to JJ end at the skin.
Let’s all face it… Coach K ran JJ all over the court for his shot. In the league he has to get his own. Only Reggie and Rip get as many screens as JJ had at Duke. Motivated defenders can hold JJ in check, he’s just not enough of a ballhandler nor does he have a strong enough body to get off his own shot.
I saw JJ live last year and noticed immediately that he’s not only bad on D, he’s primadonna lazy. Bruce Bowen hit 3 corner threes on him in 5 possessions, then, JJ was gone.
The numbers show it clearly…http://www.82games.com/0708/07ORL4D.HTM
In short, the Magic scored 2 more points per 100 possessions with JJ, but also gave up 10 more points when JJ was on the court…a net -9, the worst of any Magic with more than 10 minutes last year. By comparison Howard’s +9 and Turkuglu +7.
While the Trajan comparisons might be too easy, JJ will be playing in Europe once his contract expires.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
eric cooley says:
OK, SwedishMoze, Mark you words and get back to me by seasons end. If I knew you personally I’d bet you $100 your prediction is way off.
Yes, it’s pre-season but are you aware JJ is currently outplaying both Bogans and C. Lee in the Magic SG rotation (according to Coach Gundy as of yesterday on NBA.COM)and look at his 2-game stats thus far:
G MIN FG % 3PT % FT % PTS AVG
2 32 8-12 .667 3-4 .750 5-5 1.000 24 12.0
BTW. It was BMT but I’ve always thought Mark Price was of the classic shooting guard/SG mold. Are you sure about him being a “savvy point guard??”
October 11th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
eric cooley says:
oops, guess you were right (about Price)– He was a point guard. Weird; a slow and pure shooting PG. Oh how the NBA has changed since the ’80s I suppose.