Updates
Mon, Jan 12th 2009, 16:55
Lil' Wayne, YouTube Video, Hotels, and the Orlando Magic
Hello to all of you. Hope everyone is doing well. So it’s been a few days since my last blog and I got a lot to get you guys caught up on. First of all, I wanted to share with y’all that the rapper Lil’ Wayne mentioned me in a song on a mix tape. If you don’t know who Lil’ Wayne is then you obviously don’t listen to hip-hop music. He is, in his own words (and in many people’s opinion), the best rapper alive. I’m not going to link the song on here because of the explicit content of the lyrics but if you want to hear it then go to YouTube and look up “Breaktime” by Tyga featuring Lil’ Wayne. Wayne raps about me at about the 3:36 mark (as Paul mentioned in the comments section of my last blog). My only question is, does this help my street cred? Haha, I don’t know the answer to that but it’s still pretty cool.
Secondly, someone was kind enough to post a video clip on YouTube of my state high school championship game from my senior year. The clip shows all 43 points I scored that day (which was a career high). Here’s the video. After watching the video, my buddy Adam said, “Now we know where the ’3 on 1, no pass, pull up for 3 in transition’ originated.” Funny. Thanks to whoever posted that video- I hadn’t seen highlights of that game in about six years.
If you’ve been following the Magic then you know we are having a fantastic season so far. We have the most road wins in the league and have posted a terrific 30-8 record. Things only get tougher from here though. Our next couple weeks of games is pretty brutal and we are going to have to play our best every night to keep this thing going. I feel our team is more mature this year and we grasp Stan’s system better, especially defensively. Whereas last year we pretty much lived and died with offense, we have actually won quite a few games this season with our defense. Good stuff.
The last week has been a lot of fun for me. Since the game in Toronto on the 4th, I’ve gotten consistent minutes and think I’ve helped the team. That’s what matters most to me- contributing to wins. Even when you’re team is winning, you don’t really feel 100% a part of it unless you’re actually on the floor contributing.
We arrived in San Antonio on Saturday night and checked into our hotel around 7 PM or so. I took my bag up to the room and decided I was hungry so I went downstairs to scavenge for food. Originally, I was going to take the Riverwalk and try and find a restaurant on the river. However, as soon as I got outside I realized it was too cold and my scarf wasn’t going to cut it. I went back inside and ate at the restaurant in the hotel. After consuming a wonderful meal, my waiter brought the check. As I was filling out the check I realized that I could not recall what room I was in. I floated around some random room numbers in my head and finally decided that I was in room 1919. I left a tip and went upstairs. When I got to the elevators I came to the conclusion that there was no way in heck I was in room 1919 (the 19th floor was the top floor and I knew I wasn’t on the top floor). I went to the front desk and explained my predicament but they were unwilling to give up the room number because the room was registered to my alias and obviously my ID is my real name, not my alias. It took about five minutes but after giving them a bunch of random information they finally believed I was who I said I was. (There were three ladies at the front desk and I’m pretty sure they thought I was an idiot- which I might be.) I was definitely not in room 1919 as I found out. Once I had the right room number I had to walk all the way back downstairs to the restaurant (the lobby and the restaurant were on different levels) and tell the waiter my error. Needless to say, I felt slightly incompetent. We travel so much and stay at so many different hotels that this was bound to happen. The bad news is that this isn’t the first time I’ve forgotten what room I’m in. There’s been plenty of times when I get back to the hotel after morning practice and my mind goes blank once I’m in the elevator. I swear I need to write my room number down on my hand or something when I check into a hotel.
There will be some new Q and A on the site in the next couple days. Other than that, be well and I’ll talk to you soon.
Comments
john | on 23/1/09
wht up jj this is john i met you at the first session of the duke basketball camp and i think you are the best basketball shooter alive and i am glad you are getting more playin time in the NBA.
p.s. duke is definitely going to win the acc and NCAA tournament this year .
Jessica | on 21/1/09
wait, why do you think you need an alias?
Steve | on 20/1/09
Hey JJ! I work at hotel here in Downtown Orlando and I can tell you: don’t worry about forgetting your room number! People do it ALL the time! Either they travel a lot, or they get wasted in our bar and totally forget their room number! Great road trip, by the way! Good luck against the Celtics!
Robert | on 19/1/09
Any chance you will be in the 3pt contest this year?
Robinson | on 17/1/09
Immortal Technique is the best rapper. Lil wayne just raps about his money and stuff, but his songs have no meaning. Listen to Immortal Technique. You won’t regret it!
Name isn't important | on 17/1/09
Asher Roth also had some words about you.
Gina | on 16/1/09
Your hotel story is hilarious! We miss you here in Durham :)
Jenna | on 16/1/09
I mean, if you make it into a Weezy song I think that means you’re a pretty big deal.
Just saying.
Jeremiah | on 15/1/09
keep makin it rain man, nice 2 see u get minutes and show everyone what they alreday knew. U CAN FLAT STRO)KE!!! nice job. and if u could, could u give me a shout-out n one of ur blogs, just even a whats up would be sweet.
Kestrel | on 15/1/09
JJ, Congratulations!!! you are doing so well and I am just so happy that you are getting the time you deserve and making it count, what is it 3 straight games (and counting) with four 3’s…again you deserve it after all you are the best shooter ever. that’s so cool that your in one of your favorite performers songs, I’m gonna listen to it after this. sorry its the third time i said this, but congrats!!!!!!! peace and love always kestrel keep it up!!
Mandii | on 15/1/09
Sounds like you were in quite the prediciment. It sounds like something I would do. I am so glad that you are seeing some PT. I am so excited to see you March 17 in Cleveland. Ever since LeBron wore a Yankees hat to the Indians ALDS playoff game a couple years ago, I have been itching to wear Magic gear to a Cavs game. Now I have my chance! See you then!
God Bless, and Stay Healthy
-Mandii
Kat | on 15/1/09
It’s great to see you getting so much playing time lately & doing well. If this keeps up, maybe I’ll actually go to a game. Too funny about forgetting your room number. Don’t you have something in your man purse that you can write the room number on? :)
Peter G | on 15/1/09
Hi JJ,
great to see you getting some minutes recently and really lighting up from beyond the arc. Can’t wait for the Eastern Conference play-offs, with you guys the Celtics and the Cavs its going to be awesome. Even though I can’t watch the NBA here the UK.
PS – Please lobby David Stern to sort that out, he’s killing us English fans.
Peter
rico jones | on 15/1/09
Haha, I just heard that song last night, and I now have it as a ringtone with your name in it. My friend knew that I liked you a lot and he had it on his myspace page and as soon as he heard it he called me and told me. People think I’m crazy because I talk about you all the time in my classes, but I believe in you JJ. your doing great right now and I know you will be playing major minutes towards the end of the season. good luck.
rico jones is your biggest fan.
oh yea, shoot the ball more. haha
Susan Cook | on 14/1/09
So great to see you scoring well, JJ, along with Magic’s continued success. You guys have great momentum going on and you just may take it all the way!
Now to go see that Lil Wayne video. :)
Blessings,
Susan, (a Redick follower since 2003)
Tommy M. | on 14/1/09
JJ!
I can’t believe it! You are finally coming through! I’ve always had faith in you, worn my Redick jerseys when my friends said you couldn’t do anything in the pros… bragged about you when you had 4 points, because deep down in my heart I knew you would come through.
You’ve been my idol since 3rd grade when you were a freshmen – I try to shoot like you, try to work as hard as you, and most of all, idolize you.
You are the man JJ. I’m so glad you’re finally making it as a star in the NBA.
Once again congratulations. I will always believe in you and know that one day you will be an NBA star.
You’ve been my idol since day 1. Keep up the good work man.
-Tommy (PS: if you could ever email me [marcut@d-e.org], it would be incredible. I traveled from New Jersey twice to see you at Cameron, and met you both times, but to have an actual conversation with you would be the greatest thing that had ever happened to me.).
Good luck for the rest of the year!
Ryan Acuff | on 14/1/09
Con gratulations on your recent progress! you are the hardest working athlete i have ever read about.
Theresa | on 14/1/09
I’m really glad you are getting some play time and making baskets! We are going to Florida in April and plan on going to a game. We were there last year and unfortunately the only time we saw you off the bench was when you were warming up before the game. :( It must be really hard going from being a big star on Duke to sitting on the sidelines. It sucks for me as a fan having to watch it so I can only imagine how you must feel. Anyway keep up the good work and I hope you just keep getting more and more minutes! Take Care!
Brett Dalton | on 14/1/09
Hey JJ,
Believe it or not, I’m the guy who posted that YouTube video of you in high school. On that same channel, “ForEmily4”, I posted some highlights from your Duke days, as well.
I also have another channel, “ForEmily23”, on which I’ve posted a ton of sweet Michael Jordan videos.
Anyway, thanks for the shout out, and keep lightin’ it up.
— Brett
shell | on 14/1/09
I’m really mad that you guys are ahead of my Celtics now in the rankings. Lol. But, I’m happy for you. It’s great to see you succeed. Take care.
Matt | on 14/1/09
JJ I am glad to see that you are getting consistent minutes and putting up solid numbers off of the bench for the Magic. It’s funny you mention not remembering your hotel room because I often vacation and cannot seem to ever remember my room number myself and by the end of the week the workers at the front desk know me by first name basis. Well, I hope you continue to play great and, you really inspire me. Good Luck and God Bless! as I always say, they may break you down, but he builds you up. Peace JJ.
David Thorpe | on 14/1/09
Hi JJ. Just wanted to let you know that no one is more pleased than I at the way you are playing. I always believed you were capable of helping a team win the way you are. And I think you could do more, if given the chances. Keep believing in yourself-and you will always have one “expert” who believes in you too. Continued good luck and I’ll see you at a game really soon.
coach thorpe
Jo Forte | on 14/1/09
your the coolest guy I know
Maggie | on 13/1/09
Hey, JJ! Well, I first wanted to say that I really wanted to comment on your last blog but I didn’t get around to. I hope you had an amazing Christmas and I hope that 2009 will be a great year for you. That’s awesome that Lil’ Wayne mentioned you in one of his songs even though I really don’t like rap and don’t listen to it at all. I looked up the lyrics to the song to read the part about you and whoever posted the lyrics to the website misspelled your last name and spelled it R-E-D-D-I-C-K. I get so mad when people spell Redick wrong. Anyway, that is cool and I’ve been wanting to write a song about you for like..ever, but I can’t think of what to write. That’s awesome about someone posting the championship in your senior year. I think I might have watched that but I don’t remember. I feel so nostalgic when I watch old clips of you on YouTube. I’m so happy that the Orlando Magic have been doing so well this year! The 30-8 record is great! I’m also insanely happy about you being able to get a lot more playing time recently. I’ve been looking at your recent stats and it sounds like you’ve been doing great recently. Awww, I that’s sad about you not remembering your room number. That’s actually sorta funny thought, I have to admit. And you’re definitely not an idiot. I’m sure something like that has happened to everyone. Don’t feel bad about it :) . Okay, this is completely random, but I know you like to read and I thought of a book that I read over the summer that I think you might like. The book is “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara. It’s about the Gettysburg battle during the Civil War. It’s a good book and I think you should read it if you haven’t read it already. Well, I hope that the Magic keep up with their great record. I hope you’re doing great and that you will continue to get a lot of playing time. Hope to hear from you soon! I love you.
Lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of Love,
Maggie
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Nancye | on 13/1/09
At least you were in the right hotel. Try traveling so much that you forget which hotel you have your reservations and try to check into the wrong one! And find out the right one was on the other side of the city. Happened to me once. LOL
Catherine | on 13/1/09
Haha that last story is so funny you need to write more about the funny experiences on the road and awesome high school video
Angela Hull | on 13/1/09
I’m glad that the Magic are doing well this season and that you are getting more minutes in 2009. Hopefully you can continue your success and I wish you the best of luck in the future. Its okay that you forgot your room number, im sure you stay at many hotels that its hard to keep them all straight. I dont think your an idiot at all.
Evan | on 13/1/09
Pretty funny, don’t feel dumb about the waiter-room thing though, you don’t even want to hear my family’s stories. I don’t know if you’ve been paying attention jj, but these are you stats from your last four games,
1. 11 and about 3 rebounds and an assist or two
2. 8 and about 3 rebounds and an assist
3. 15 4 rebounds and two assists 4-5 3 pointers
4. 12 1 rebound and one assist
Really consistent. I’ve been saying it for a long time. you can’t sit a guy on the bench all year and expect him to be immediately great. They’ve given you consistent playing time and you have been awesome. you should be proud.
diana gilroy | on 13/1/09
hahaha thats funny but i have no room to laugh i’ve done it plenty of times myself.. and its kind of embarrasing. thats awesome that you were mentioned weezy is amazing and one of the best rappers along with jayz. im gonna have to go and listen to that song… just bc you were mentioned and im sure its a good song anyways hahaha. im so happy that you’ve been getting more minutes lately and helping the magic win more games, well good luck in tonights games i hope you get the chance to play again tonight and get a decent amount of minutes peace it easy <3
Darrin | on 13/1/09
J.J. I’m glad to see you getting consistent minutes, and having the ability to fight off doubters and show you still have remarkable ability.
You are one of my favorite b ball players of all time, and I go to NC State now lol, but before I started attending I was a huge Duke fan and you were the man!
Keep up the great performances, and continue working hard, I’d be thrilled to see you as a starter one day, but for now I like that you’re seizing the opportunity to play really great basketball, with the opportunities you’ve been given.
Brian | on 13/1/09
Take a picture of your room number with your camera phone.
Alex Serafin | on 12/1/09
Hey man …great props on your last 3 games man! Finally some decent playing time and some good looks to shoot!! I swear sometimes nelson or lewis get on my nerves for not swinging the ball one more time …cause your like open all the time when you guys run your plays….but hey you’ved hit them when they do…..That 3 pointer on top of the key against the spurs was vintage redick =)!! Though that last 3 in the 4ht that just missed would have been the dagger in that game….i almost feel out of my seat in that one….. I know you guys are coming in on Friday to play us (Lakers) ....sadly I wont be able to go this year….lack of spare $$$ aka mula this month…..but I’m sure gonna be watching ..this will be the only laker game this season where I WONT be sporting the Purple and Gold but the BLUE AND WHITE.....Duke colors baby!! i mean Magic Colors =P ….alright man have a great game on friday….take care …mad props and congrats on the last 3 games man…..
Alex
Fan =)!!!
Paul | on 12/1/09
No doubt it adds to your street cred. theres no question haha
Mk | on 12/1/09
It was funny and you are very honest person. Some time people wanna know even top athletes are just regular people as we are. That’s why we love you JJ. I often put my card key into wrong room door,,,haven’t you? It is a very scary moment, and I always fun away. ha ha ha! Good luck with next hotel.
C.J. | on 12/1/09
JJ, you’ve played really solid as of late. The shots are falling, your defense is tough, and most of all, your confidence is undoubtedly there. I hope you continue to receive your fair share of minutes even when Pietrus returns to action. You’re definitely contributing to a lot of the team’s success. Your decision making still needs some work, as you could tell in the San Antonio game, but other than that, you’re living up to the productivity that my friend and I thought you were capable of coming out of Duke. I truly believe you are a 25 minute a night, 10-16 point guy in the NBA. It’s all about spreading the floor with your big men, and finding the open space on the floor to release that silky shot. You’re very good at finding those spaces when Dwight is being doubled. With that being said, keep up the good work, I’m a huge fan, God bless you and your family.
Chad Griffin | on 12/1/09
Yeah i watched your game last night when u guys beat San Antonio, its nice to see you play some minutes which lead to four 3 pointers and 12 points. Nice job Keep up the good play!