The Official Site of JJ Redick

Sun, Apr 19th 2009, 13:44

Season Review/Playoff Preview

It wasn’t just that J.J. Redick played more minutes this season than the previous two years combined; it was when he was on the floor that mattered most to the third-year Orlando Magic shooting guard.

J.J.’s growth as a player was especially evident this season as Magic coach Stan Van Gundy often used him in crucial situations to close out games. J.J.’s ability to make shots, convert pressure-packed free throws and more than hold his own defensively earned him important fourth-quarter minutes.

“I’ve been very happy with my role and the opportunity that I’ve earned,’’ JJ said. “I would have liked to shoot the ball better than I have the last month-and-a-half, but those things happen.”

“The most important thing is I have gained Stan’s confidence and his trust,” J.J. continued. “That has shown when he’s put me in the fourth quarter of several games down the stretch and we’ve gotten some big wins.’’

J.J. heads into Sunday’s playoff opener against the Philadelphia 76ers as a key piece of the Magic’s rotation. He played 17.4 minutes a game during the regular season, getting big minutes as the first shooting guard off the bench.
J.J. tied his career high with 6.0 points per game and scored in double figures 15 times. He twice scored a season-high 17 points – in January against Atlanta and in February against Indiana. Orlando won all three games against Philadelphia this season, but it was hardly a one-sided series between the two teams. Philadelphia is among the most athletic teams in the NBA, and J.J. knows that the Magic are in for a tough series.

“Every game we’ve played against them we’ve had really close games. We’ve had to come back and make big shots down the stretch to win,” J.J. said. “So they have had success, but just haven’t beaten us yet.”

Because the Sixers double-teamed Magic center Dwight Howard heavily in the regular season, J.J. and fellow shooting guard Courtney Lee could play major roles in this series. There will likely be plenty of open shots, something J.J. is excited about.

“Obviously they are going to pay attention to Dwight because he’s the focal point of our offense. They’ll be really digging hard and double-teaming him, so we all have to be prepared to knock down open shots,” he said.

J.J. has put in extra work in the days since the regular season ended to make sure his shooting stroke is sharp for the playoffs. He vowed that a brief slump late in April is behind him with so many important games ahead.

“(Wednesday) night against Charlotte was a perfect example because a lot of my shots felt really good. They’re either short or long and the good news is that I’m not missing left and right,” he said. “It’s a fraction of an inch here or there. I’ve done a lot of extra shooting after practice. I feel confident going forward that I’ll shoot it well. It’s just a matter of knocking some down.”