July 8, 2008
What should J.J. Redick do? One reader's response
A few weeks ago, our sports pages ran a story asking "What should J.J. Redick do?"
The former Cave Spring star isn't getting much playing time with the Orlando Magic in the NBA -- riding the pine, it used to be called. Here comes a response from reader Ron Carroll, below.
The "VG" he refers to is Van Gundy, the Orlando coach. So what do you think? You can click "comments" below or email us at news@swo-co.com just like Ron did.
Hello,
JJ Redick is in a difficult spot. The only way he will play under VG in Orlando is if VG believes he can help the team win games they would otherwise lose. In other words, if they are winning the majority of their games (as they did last year), Redick will not play. Why? Because in VG opinion, they have a better chance of winning more games without him.
Does that mean VG is correct or that Redick cannot play at the Pro level and be a very good player? Absolutely not. History is laden with examples of players not given an opportunity for months or even years, only to later show that they can play and, indeed, play better than those they sat behind. VG's position is his opinion -- which as coach he has every right to have and act on.
Also, basketball is a game where "roles" mean a great deal. As the talent level increases, the better a player is at a particular role, the more likely he or she is to get playing time. Redick has shown he is best playing the role of a go-to scorer. The question Smith and VG have asked themselves is, "Should Redick be one of our go-to scorers as this level?" For two years the answer has been no. However, on the positive side, Redick has never entered two or three games in a role with the coach's full confidence, and then been given 30 minutes each game to see what he can do. In other words, he has never been given a real chance to either fail or succeed.
Net-Net: the best Redick can hope for is to be traded to another team where he is given a real shot. Why? Because the longer he remains on the bench, the more difficult it will become for him physically (getting rusty) and psychologically (losing confidence). No matter what, Redick must do whatever he can (including playing in Europe) to get playing time.
Ron Carroll
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Comments
[July 8, 2008 7:05 PM]
TaraI honestly agree. Finally someone who can weigh the positives and negatives and come up with an actual realistic response. Thanks.
[July 8, 2008 11:06 PM]
Pete gaines : →http://jjwillnevergiveupjj redick is one of the best offensive players ever in the game....with that in mind...we know he lacks defense....but the coach obviously knew that since they picked him in the draft. JJ Redick does not need to PROVE himself....he is what he is....you want points? LET HIM RUN...this is so embarrassing, he is making millions on the BENCH!!! DO NOT WASTE TALENT!!!
[July 9, 2008 11:38 AM]
Michael StopakTrade him...NOW, a player with that much talent does not deserve to ride the bench in any way. With all the things he has been through as far as duke basketball is concerned and getting taunted by almost every opposing fan you have to feel bad for the guy. And yet after all of this, he still played the game at the top level dropping 40+ per game. Honestly "VG" in my opinion has mental issues and should never coach the game of basketball ever again. It's not just that he's not playing J.J, it's his reasons for not playing J.J, they just don't make sense to me. If your mediocre team is winning games, but not enough to advance that far in the playoffs, there is obviously a need for some change. This team will never be good without J.J running the SG position, best shooter on the team by a long shot.
[July 9, 2008 1:52 PM]
Robert Scytheryo : →http://noneWhats up! Nothing will ever happen. The only thing JJ will do is guard the bench. The coach and manager are probably just going to keep him for 3 more years and then no one will sign him. Thats it nothing's going to happen. He's done.
[July 9, 2008 6:13 PM]
Floyd RosscoRedick is a college player that manipulated the draft system. He is a one dimensional player in that all he can do is shoot the deep ball. At the college level short, slow shooters can get away with dropping big points (especially at Duke, a basketball program that hardly plays any away games). In the NBA the athletes are freaks that eat nerdy punks like Redick for dinner. Redick was a first round pick, was paid good money and he should be thankful for it because if there was a re-draft of his class he wouldnt be selected. With that said, being a first round pick, hes obviously gotten chances to show his quality, and has proven to be a bust. Teams dont take players in the first round to keep them on the bench. Redick showed his true character when he was shown on national television crying after loosing, you guessed it, a big game at home (where else does Duke play?) What Redick should do is ride his contract and hope that after it is up that Orlando or another team will sign him. If he plays his cards right, he could end up being a former NBA player and millionaire. Not many people can say that they are either of those. Hes never going to be the star he was at the college level, and he should milk his spot on an NBA roster for all its worth.
[July 10, 2008 11:12 AM]
Zack MatzaniasRedick is yet another Duke player, who, after four years of coddling by the media and NCAA officials, couldn't cut it in the NBA. He should probably start talking to Coach K about an assistant Coaching position, as he'll be out of the league after this year. It's no surprise that he is a bust.
[July 10, 2008 2:05 PM]
TimThe Rockets need to make a trade for him.....Houston would love to have JJ. playing and running the gun next to T-Mac and Yao.
[July 10, 2008 8:09 PM]
Stone ManlySorry, but I'm afraid he's just not that good of an NBA player.
[July 10, 2008 9:04 PM]
EmoryI definitely have to agree with you. I am a true Duke fan and I admire JJ because he doesn't whine about not playing. Yeah, he's pissed off about not playing and everybody can see that, but one thing he does have that hardly any other basketball players have, is heart. He loves the game of basketball and will never give up his dream of doing so. He, in my opinion, is one of the best shooting guards in the NBA and has so much potential if someone will give him a chance. Remember when stan van gundy put him in that Wizards game?? Well JJ had 18 points...18 points!! That was coming off the bench and he hasn't played but 2 minutes once a month the whole season. So in conclusion, JJ is not going to be playing on the floor for Orlando this season, but he will be sitting on the bench just hoping for a chance to play for the Magic that will never happen. I hope he goes to a team that appreciates his talent, because the Magic DOES NOT give a lick at all.
[July 10, 2008 9:17 PM]
rod wmsFirst of all to all of the Duke Haters, get off of JJ. Its not his fault that he scored on just about everybody that was in college during his time. 2nd there is not one sorry person in the NBA he just needs to be along side a go to guy so that he can spot up (Kerr, Paxson, Hodges, BJ Armstrong) could not play for anybody else
[July 11, 2008 11:36 PM]
JonathanCOME TO NEW YORK JJ! Redick plays so well at MSG and I speak for all Redick fans when they've seen him too long to see him on the bench.
[July 16, 2008 1:13 AM]
JoshYou're kidding if you think he's one of the best offensive players ever....he's an average shooter with below average speed, no heart and no defense. He should take his money and shut his mouth.