Updates
Tue, Jan 27th 2009, 10:07
Duke, Magic, and Sports Illustrated
What’s up y’all? It looks like order has been restored for now as Duke has regained the #1 position in the country (only slight sarcasm with that statement). Of course, rankings don’t mean a whole lot right now and one could make a case that Duke isn’t even the best team in the country. However, I got to see them play in person last week against N.C. State and I came away really impressed. The first thirty minutes of the game we couldn’t make a shot but Gerald Henderson really got us going in the 2nd half. I’ve been really impressed so far with Duke’s half-court defense (their defense was even more impressive on Saturday against the Terps). As long as we defend the way we have so far in ACC play I think Duke can make a deep run come March. Being back at Duke was great for me- I always like seeing some of my old teammates, coaches, and friends. Whenever I’m there, even if it’s just for a day, I feel sense of renewal and energy. I took my girlfriend, my sister, and my brother-in-law (he’s a UNC grad but we decided to put away our differences haha) to the game and we all had a great time. The Crazies even chanted, “J.J.‘s girlfriend- DYNOMITE!”, which I thought was hilarious (for those that don’t know- the Crazies have a chant for just about every player and my chant was “J.J. Redick- DYNOMITE!”). All in all, a good one day break from the hectic pace of the NBA season.
The Orlando Magic have lost a couple games in a row now but I don’t think anyone is in a panic. The NBA season is so long that it’s only natural to have highs and lows, peaks and valleys, streaks of energy and brief lulls. We need to get back to playing good half-court defense and energetic offense. We are at our best when we defend and rebound and are able to push the pace and get easy buckets and threes in transition. We have a pretty tough three game set this week and hopefully we’ll get it started on the right foot tonight against Indiana.
If y’all get a chance check out this past week’s Sports Illustrated. There’s a fairly lengthy article in there on Adam Morrison and I regarding our battle for success in the NBA. Overall, I thought the article was good. My quote in there about “getting punched in the mouth” is very true. Sometimes God humbles us for a reason and in my case I am blessed to have been humbled over the past couple years. If success came easy for me in this league I would have been too big for britches. God can use trials to help us grow and build us into the person He has called us to be. The only problem I had with the SI article was that it said I was listed “generously at 6’4”.” Ok, can I please clear this up once and for all. I read all the time that I’m not really 6’4” and I’m more like 6’2”. I’m 6’4” barefoot with no socks on. Please, can we all accept that? If you don’t believe me check the measurements from the 2006 NBA Draft combine. I’m really over 6’5” with basketball shoes on so a generous listing would be 6’6”. Thank you very much.
Just a couple of other minor things- I’m going to be writing a column/blog periodically for the Orlando Sentinel so y’all look for that in the next two weeks. Don’t really know what I’m going to be writing about but it won’t necessarily be basketball related. Secondly, I’d like to start adding something to the end of every blog. It’s hard getting ideas for “top-five lists” so I was thinking of putting random tips at the end of my blogs (nutrition tips, fitness tips, fashion tips haha etc.). Y’all let me know what you’d like to see on here. Oh, and keep the questions coming- I have a lot of fun responding to those questions and the more questions you send in the more often they’ll be up on the site. Y’all be good and I’ll we’ll chat soon.
Comments
Erin | on 9/2/09
If you weren’t playing basketball professionally, what would you be doing with your life?
Jill Glessner | on 5/2/09
Hi JJ,
This is Adam’s younger sister, Jill.. and since he isn’t the best at returning emails I thought maybe you could tell him I said hi when you get a chance :)
Keep workin hard..
Ps. Ask him who won the ‘shell game’ this summer… I’m sure you’ll get a good reaction.
Jo Forte | on 1/2/09
Have you ever been in a fist fight?
Johnny | on 1/2/09
John legand is aesome!
Alaina | on 1/2/09
Great article in SI and GREAT picture. Keep working hard, i know you will. And GO DUKE <3333
Kestrel | on 30/1/09
First of all I saw the article in SI and I was happy that people are still talking about you and it sounded as if they had more positive things to say about you and your future so that was good. I’m glad that you got to go back to Duke and get reconnected with the Crazies, you had and probably still have a HUGE impact on Duke basketball and the fans, not only of Duke but basketball in general, the run you had at Duke, and the run that I’m sure you’ll have in the NBA has inspired so many people including myself so I want to thank you for that.
As for your height, I believe that you are 6’4” and I always have but I think that you have added several pounds of muscle and everybody still list you as 190…but what are you gonna do about that?!
congrats on the incredible season and have a great weekend!
what are your tips on fitness and nutrition and playing the 2 guard
peace and love always,
kestrel
oh…sorry i wrote so much.
Fisher04UK | on 29/1/09
what;s up with no Halo?
what xbox games are you playing?
Gears of war 2?
NBA2K?
We should swap gamer tags! bet you never been asked that before!!
Anyways keep the faith and keep knockin down those jumpers…
Fish
Shaun Redgate | on 29/1/09
JJ, I believe you know my brother Paul. My entire family has followed you since your CS days and your career has brought us a lot of joy. I just wanted to write and let you know that we will continue to pray God’s blessings on all you do. It’s awesome to hear that you are looking at challenges as opportunities for God to refine you. Take a look at Ephesians 3:14-19. I pray that you experience more and more of the strength found only in Christ.
On another note, I would be really interested in the nutrition/fitness info. Look forward to it!
Nick | on 29/1/09
Hey JJ. My name is Nick. I actually came over to your house for the superbowl last year with Mikey Mehlich. I’m roomates with his brother and good friend with his family. I’ve actually seen you at church a few times too. I’ve been going to summit for 4 years now and its really a good church so thats cool.
anyways i’m a big duke fan and also a magic fan so i was really glad to see them draft you. i actually got to my first duke game at cameron over thanksgiving break last year which was definitely on my bucket list. it was great. Its been great watching you get some solid minutes the past few weeks with the magic too. hopefully they keep giving you some good time.
i have two questions for you. how do they pick who is in the 3 point shootout and is that something you would want to do? it would be tight to see you in that
and who was your favorite point guard to play with at duke: duhon, ewing, dockery or paulus?
hope you are having a great day and me and my buddies are getting fired up for tonights game against the cavs.
DO WORK!!
Jenn | on 29/1/09
Forget basketball details. I want personal details! I’m nosey and want to know about friends, family, girlfriend, etc. I want to know what makes up the essence of JJ! lol I think it would be really cool to know what you do on a daily basis and to see photos of people and places that mean alot to you. Top five lists are nice. Random tips are nice too. But it would be even better to see pictures posted with your blog of things that you’re talking about so we can see what makes up JJ. Yes, again, I know I’m terribly nosey – but who doesn’t love a little bit of gossip?
Ian | on 28/1/09
Your mentality when you are playing and nutrition tips to stay in shape during the basketball season
Kris Southard | on 28/1/09
JJ, I (and my family) are some of your biggest fans…..no, I’m not in my 20s, 30s, 40s, but am a 55 year old mom with a son your age…..he was a baseball player at The Citadel in Charleston, SC….we all followed you throughout your years at Duke and are very proud of you. I admire your faith in God as I, too, couldn’t live without His grace, mercy and love. I know that you probably think I’m a nut for communicating with you since you have so many, many fans all over the world. But I was always my son’s biggest fan and I love baseball and basketball. We are diligently following Duke this season and try to watch Orlando play when it’s on TV. I can’t wait for the Duke/Wake Forest match-up tonight. I am originally from Winston-Salem, so WF is my next favorite team. My brother and sister went to Carolina so we are ALL mixed up when basketball season rolls around. Good luck to you in your life. We will always be proud of you.
Philip | on 28/1/09
I saw where you are selling your house and you now have an apt, are you planning on moving to another house or do you think that you are going to be traded. Just wondering if you are selling your house when it is so hard to sell right now.
Best of luck in whatever plan you have going.
Jeremiah | on 28/1/09
r u really on the trading block? and has there ever been a top-5 sports momenst n ur mind. not personal sports moments? and i agree with the shooting tips top-5 idea
Tiara | on 28/1/09
hey you will always be one of my favorites and i’m so glad that you are getting more playing time i saw you trying to keep you with kobe the other day. good luck and i will be cheering for you
Evan | on 28/1/09
Hey JJ!
Do you think AJ Abrams will break your three point record? I think he just broke the big 12 record last night or will soon. Tips on making it in basketball. I’m Homeschooled and I want to play at duke. How ‘bout your five favorite restaurants. That would be good.
jack johnson | on 28/1/09
it was great to see you get to play some last week. what are the trade possibilities. it would be nice to see you get consistent time on the court. best wishes jack and lily
Kyle | on 27/1/09
Hey JJ,
I agree with what you said about Duke’s half court defense. Their pass anticipation is real great this year. I’m finally glad to see Gerald Henderson playing at the level he was always capable of playing at. He’s not quite as entertaining as you were to watch at Duke, but his athleticism astounds me. I hope everyone can stay healthy for the rest of their tough ACC schedule.
I’m also glad to see that you’re finally getting some quality playing time this year. Every time you’re in the game you contribute and you make things happen. I hope that your coaches are seeing that! Keep up the good work!
Kyle
Catherine | on 27/1/09
Thanks for the updates woo hoo dukes been doing great and you have too!
oscar | on 27/1/09
Hello JJ!
I think a lot of people would enjoy a top-5 shooting tips list. Thank you and good luck with the season!
Tyler Zimmer | on 27/1/09
That SI article was tight.
Daniel Payne's sister (Sarah) | on 27/1/09
ok, messed that submission up twice, I swear I can use a computer! Anyway, I like your blog site, and it’s fun to follow your NBA seasons. I’m going to do a better job next year of seeing you at the Staples center…maybe Dan will come visit me for a game.
I’m interested in how you do the professional athlete thing and build muscle and all that, how do you get enough calories and protein, etc. especially since you cut out dairy (which I totally understand, I’ve become pretty lactose intolerant, so I just eat yogurt). There was an interesting article on Michael Phelps and how he has to eat like 10,000 calories a day or something ridiculous like that.
Take Care!
Daniel Payne | on 27/1/09
Hey JJ I like your blog, very cool! I wish more of your games were on TV out here, we get pretty bored with the Lakers and the Clippers all the time.
Lyndi | on 27/1/09
JJ,
i saw the article in SI and it was really good! Its good to know that despite everything you have faced thus far in your NBA career that you can continue to have a positive outlook, and it’s good that people who may not have followed your career thus far get to see that in the article! Good luck in the upcoming weeks and I will be in Indianapolis cheering for the Magic!
Anna Nuzzolese | on 27/1/09
Hey JJ, awesome article in SI. Its been good to see you playing a bit more this year. Im a HUGE duke fan and I was wondering what you thought about Greg Paulus being benched for Nolan Smith? I love the way Greg plays because with all the emotion he shows it represents what Duke basketball is but Nolan is a better defender and that may help us come March. I thought you might have a good insight since you spent 4 years at Duke and you get to see them up close (LUCKY haha, Ive never been to a game) Keep doing good and best wishes! -Anna