The Official Site of JJ Redick

Wed, May 20th 2009, 09:52

J.J READY FOR NEW ROLE IN GAME 1 VS. CAVS

The uniqueness of this lofty perch, in the Eastern Conference Finals opposite the 66-win Cleveland Cavaliers, isn’t lost on J.J. Redick and the Orlando Magic now.

So when the Magic met recently to discuss their plan of attack in these playoffs they talked about pouring everything they had into the moment. The Magic feel they have the talent and the team to win a championship now, and they are eager to seize the opportunity.

``We talked about it as a team that you don’t know how many opportunities like this that you will get or how many teams you will be on that almost won 60 games,’’ J.J. said. ``The Finals are in the back of our minds, but this team has been good year about focusing on the task at hand. We’ll be ready.’’

Game 1 between the Magic and Cavs is tonight and Orlando is eager to send a message that it won’t be a pushover for the Cavs. Cleveland had the NBA’s best record in the regular season and then swept Detroit and Atlanta in the first two rounds of the playoffs, winning eight consecutive games by double-digit margins.

In that vain, the Magic are thought to be big underdogs by most. The Magic, however, think otherwise.

``We feel like we’re going to provide stiffer competition than they have faced so far,’’ J.J. said. ``They’re playing great. LeBron is playing at a very, very high level, a MVP level, and all it starts with loading up on him.’’

The Magic believe they can not only compete with the Cavs but win the series because of the confidence instilled by their regular-season success against Cleveland. Orlando won two of three meetings this season, including a 29-point whipping in Orlando in which the Magic once led by as many as 41 points.

Orlando has beaten Cleveland in four of the past five meetings, five of the last seven and in eight of 11 tries over the last three-plus years.

``It does give us confidence because we’ve had success doing things against them, whether it’s defensively switching up matchups or with our schemes,’’ J.J. said. ``We’ll carry over some of that stuff to the playoffs. The playoffs are different, but we’ll do a lot of the same stuff.’’

J.J. was a defensive standout in the Magic’s defeat of the defending champion Boston Celtics by holding all-star guard Ray Allen to his worst shooting in a playoff series in his illustrious career.

J.J. started all seven games in the series, averaging 6.3 points and 2.4 assists in 25.6 minutes a game. He shot the ball well in Game 1 (12 points) and Game 2 (15 points) and effectively moved the ball in others with a career-high seven assists in Game 4 and four more assists in the decisive Game 7.

Because Cleveland’s Delonte West is more of a penetrator than a catch-and-shoot guard, the Magic plan to return Courtney Lee to the starting lineup tonight. J.J. should still play 15-to-18 minutes off the bench. It’s a role he’s fine with because he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help the Magic win.

``Of course, I’m fine with it. At this point in the season it’s all about winning,’’ J.J. said. ``There are no objectives really other than winning. (Magic coach Stan Van Gundy) told me (Tuesday) before practice. It’s not a big deal and whatever role is presented for me I’ll be ready to go.

``I don’t care (about starting or coming off the bench) because I’m just about helping the team, whether it’s playing D on Ray Allen or passing the ball.’’