Mon, Jun 15th 2009, 11:18
We didn’t want to have to watch the Lakers celebrate at all, but to have it happen on our homecourt last night was really hard to watch. (And by the way, what was up with all of those Lakers fans, in the crowd at Amway Arena? How did that happen? But that’s another story, I guess.)
It was a helluva run getting to the Finals, and someday we will look back on this and really be proud of what we accomplished. But not now because it still hurts way too bad. To think we were just three wins away from a championship and didn’t get it done is tough to take today. And it makes it even worse when I think about how close we were to winning in Game 2 and Game 4. A shot here or there or a rebound or turnover different and that could have been us ending the series last night.
Playing on this stage, it was the highlight of my professional career. All throughout the Finals reporters asked me how it compared to playing in a Final Four while at Duke, but really it’s just so, so different. Playing in college is all about having pride in your school, but this just seems so much bigger. These are the best players in the world and people all across the globe are watching these games. The stakes are so high in every game.
We lost, and that will take some time for us to get over, but I really think this was just the start of something special for us here. It can be the beginning of a really good run for us, but we obviously have to keep the core guys together. It will be an interesting summer because obviously we have some big free agents with Turk and Marcin. I really hope they are back because we had a great mix of guys on this team and if we stay together I think we’ll just be even better this time next season.
As for me, I’ve never felt better about my place on this Magic team. This run to the Finals has strengthened my desire to stay here for a long time and carve out my place on this team. I’m going to take some time off and visit some new places for vacation, but then I’ll be back in the gym again real soon.
Losing like we did to the Lakers will just make us hungrier and make us want it even more next season. We really think we’ll be back here again. And next time around, we’ll be the ones celebrating at midcourt with that gold trophy.
jj
Liv | on 18/6/09
Great Season!!! On your vacation you should visit the 904.. Jacksonville..have FUN times..bye
anne | on 17/6/09
dear Hotshot i almost cried when we lost on game 5, my brother always taunts me… im a LA native but imrooting for orlando bcoz of you…
well dont be frustrated if we dont bring home the bacon… as God’s puts it everyhing happens in purpose and our prayers and petitions will be answered at the right place and the right time….next time its our turn to celebrate
all i can say is Cheer up, charge it for experience…
Congratulations and Thank you for a REDICKuuulllluuuss Season…
you played very well, and you made my heart beats faster everytime you are in court….
I love you baby…..God bless stay the same…..
Kestrel | on 17/6/09
JJ i am so proud of the way you played, and gave your team a huge boost coming off the bench in a critical part of the game…you did amazing. I’m glad that you are wanting to stay, i think Orlando could be the perfect team for you.
I loved seeing you progress over the course of the season, it made me so proud to say that I am a JJ Redick fan.
thank you for a great season, and i have know doubt in my mind that you’ll win it all next year. Rest up (you deserve it)
peace and love always,
kestrel
enjoy your summer!
Megan | on 16/6/09
Hey JJ, sorry that you had to go through that, but just remember everything happens for a reason. To truly succeed in life, and know how to succeed, we must first learn and experience failure. Hopefully next year it can be a rematch just like in the NHL, with the Penguins coming out on top. Hopefully, we can see you with that trophy soon. Keep working.
God Bless <3
jen | on 16/6/09
jj,
I have followed you since you stepped foot on the floor at Duke. You are a great player that plays with a lot of heart and someday you will get the playing time that you deserve. I never followed the Magic until you played there but it seems like a great organization. My son and I have traveled around different parts of the country just to watch you play. Congrats on making it to the finals, hopefully next year you will be the one with the trophy!
Anıl B. | on 16/6/09
Fırst of all, I want to say I’m uur biggest fan ın Hıdo’s country:D and U have a lot of fans here:D
anyway,maybe we lost..we couldn’t be champıon:( but we could be.. we could beat them… lıke U’ve said game 2 and 4… we were so close…and the empty free throws:(
and there ıs certaın differences between NCAA and NBA of course:D
but U and the whole team had an amazıng performance;9 maybe we lost and we R sorry.. but when we look back thıs season years later,we R gonna proud of U..U saıd ıt above ..
I belıeve Turkoglu wıll prefer Magıc (Y)
Rediicckkk don’t U thınk about comın’ Turkıye ın holıday:D
U were the legend of NCAA...
and U can be the legend of NBA ;)
we all know that U have thıs potentıal;)
at the end:
I love U and I want to thank for everythıng U gave us ın thıs seasonn!
we’ll always support U..
Greetıngs from Turkıye to everyone :)
Jessica | on 16/6/09
JJ You guys made our city proud!!!!! The fact that you guys were able to unite our city the way you did was amazing! You all should be proud of what you accomplished! I sure as hell am very proud of this team!!!! Next year we’re gona win it ALLLL!!!! Yeah go Magic! Keep your head up and take care!!!!! Love Jess!
jill | on 16/6/09
I am so proud to be a Orlando Magic fan. I live in Orlando and I rock my blue and white. I think that was a bunch of crap all those Lakers fans at the arena. I will always be a Magic fan, and I cant wait for next season.
SAm | on 16/6/09
Hey J.J,
First, congratulations on your team for making it on the finals, although it is a heartbreaking loss, I’m sure there’s something special in return. I’m glad to see you play and I’m so proud of you guys for never giving up. It was a great team effort. I’m sure you’ll win that gold trophy next season.
So, you’re taking a time off huh? well, enjoy your vacay and try to visit the Philippines for a vacay. You might like it here, we have lots of great beach resorts in here. lots of great spots to see.
Take care and God Bless.
See you next season.
Love,
Sam
Kim | on 15/6/09
Hi, I was thrilled to see u play on the second half. Great performance and great game. I hope you have more confidence in yourself on the court and don’t forget about the fans cheering for you when u r playing. I’m a Lakers fan but I’m also ur fan and I always cheer for you whenever u play. I don’t care when my friends call judas, as long as you keep up with your game. Cheer up and I hope I see u playing on the NBA finals. :)
Kim
Angela H | on 15/6/09
I’m a huge fan of yours and you guys did a great job this year by beating the Celtics and the Cavaliers and you showed that you guys are just as good as them or even better then them. You did a wonderful job and all you guys cando is hold your head high and hope for the best again next year. I was cheering for you all the way and was hoping you would beat L.A. but I didnt happen this year but It can happen next year. I thought you were a great player at Duke and now with the Magic you are still a great player, best of luck next year!! Have fun traveling around, I love to travel and enjoy the beautiful weather. take care and I hope to see you guys next year !!!!
Joanne | on 15/6/09
You gave your team everything you could to try to get a win yesterday. It does hurt watching another team clebrating on your home court and like you said it will only make you stronger for next year. You answered a question about where you would like to go on vacation and since you are taking a vacation I would suggest going to Italy. I recently just got back From Forence and it was amazing. If not take a trip to Niagara Falls awesome view if you have never seen it on both the American and Canadian side.
Melissa | on 15/6/09
: ) Enjoy your vacation!!
J-Man | on 15/6/09
Remember, God wants you to have the very best. Yeah, it would have been great to win this year but something even better is coming your way. You are definitely on an upward swing with getting to start this year, good D and showing it against Ray Allen and Kobe when given the chance. The team as a whole is also on an upward trend making all the way to the finals this year. Lots of other teams would have loved to get as far. Stay positive and enjoy the summer
Carly | on 15/6/09
I’ve been a fan of yours throughout the four years you played at Duke and will continue to always be! First off, CONGRATULATIONS on making it to the NBA Finals, you guys came a hell of a way defeating the top contesters Boston and Cleveland. I’m from MIlwaukee and had plenty of my friends hoping you guys would prevail over LA.; you and your team have proven that you can win a championship. It will come, and the sooner the better. Second off, looking at the bright side, you’re in Orlando.. you’re living in one of the hottest places on the map. ENJOY the freedom and festivities that are awaiting you. Come viisit Milwaukee sometime! Summerfest 2009 is right around the corner, it’s a crazy time :).
Can’t wait for October already. Good luck to you and your career.
Stay up, stay clean and stay focused.
hugs and kisses from Milwaukee and one of your biggest fans!
Ashlee | on 15/6/09
Getting to watch you guys play last night was amazing! Even though you didn’t win you guys me made pride to say that Im from Orlando! Thanks for that and I can’t wait to see what you guys do next year! Have fun on your time off.
Nancye | on 15/6/09
Thanks for a great season JJ. To this day I don’t think the Magic would have gone as far without you stepping up when you were needed especially in Game 6 of the first round and then again in the 2nd round against Ray Allen and the Celtics. You played a much bigger part in getting them to the finals than I thought you would get the opportunity to do. I too look forward to next season and to see you and the Magic take it to the limit!
Lyss | on 15/6/09
JJ, anyone could tell by the look on your face at the end of the game last night that you weren’t ready for the season to be over. You guys should be extremely proud of what you accomplished this year. 59 wins, beating Philly, Boston, and Cleveland was simply incredible. All us Magic fans are thankful for the season the team gave us! And, being a fan of yours since you were at Duke, it was good to see you making a name for yourself on basketball’s biggest stage. Sorry that last night didn’t turn out the way we had hoped :( But hey, if you need to get away and clear your head…you could come visit me in Vegas!
Noel | on 15/6/09
I still want to congratulate you and the guys for making it into the Finals. Thanks for giving us a great ride this season. I’ve been a Magic fan since the Penny-Shaq era but didn’t know about you in college because college ball is not that huge in the country where I came from. I think you did a great job especially in Game 4 making some great plays. We hope to see more of you in the next season.
~noel
Catherine | on 15/6/09
Lakers and Magic are my two favorite teams because LA is my hometown and your my favorite player. Either way it was a win win situation. This whole finals experience has made you a better player you can contribute even more next year on your road to the finals. Have a great offseason!
Brittany | on 15/6/09
You guys had an awesome run in this years playoffs! Although it was a tough loss in the Finals, you guys should be proud of getting where you guys got! What an awesome accomplishment, I can’t imagine the excitement you guys had playing in the biggest show of the NBA, it sure was awesome for us fans to watch! I know you guys will come back even stronger next year, no matter what happens with the few players on your team that are free agents. The Magic team is very resilent and I know you guys will find a way to give us another hell of a season! I look forward to watching it from the stands starting in October and I look forward to seeing you back in an Orlando Magic uniform!
Have a great time on your time off, and I hope you visit some cool places, you deserve a break!
Can’t wait till October, good luck over the summer!!
coby | on 15/6/09
jj, congrats on such a great season! i know it doesn’t mean much right now, like you said, but one day soon i hope you’ll be able to look back on how special the past few weeks really were. you played amazing last night – it was just like watching you in college three years ago! have fun on your vacations, you deserve some time to relax and not think about the game so much. looking forward to next season where i’ll hopefully get to see you guys play in philly! always remember that we all still love you, and are so proud of you and all you’ve accomplished!
love, coby xoxo <3
Vicki | on 15/6/09
I wish I could have seen you shoot alittle more. You mentioned it’s a whole different game in the NBA then at Duke. Continue to stay aggressive!
Colette Ferrell | on 15/6/09
I am writing to ask you a favor. My son just graduated high school and was accepted to Duke University. As a future “Dukey” his favorite player is of course JJ.
Here is the favor. Last week at a finals game, Troy was given of the huge Magic flags. I was hoping to get JJ to autograph the flag and give it to Troy on his 18th birthday. He could take it to Duke with him and hang it in his dorm.
I would have also attached a photo of Troy in his #7 jersey at the game but can not attach using this form
Appreciate you taking the time to review my request.
Two of your biggest fans.
Colette Ferrell (for Troy Ferrell)
Ryan Acuff | on 15/6/09
Great Season! As a fan I loved watching every second of it. I thought you played the hardest of anybody on the Magic team. Especially when the final minutes of game 5 ticked off, you were the last on the stop playing! Keep doing your thing and I will be pulling for you for the years to come!!
mike b | on 15/6/09
jj i was at the game last night.. got a pic with you outside on the poster.. man you were playing awesome when stan gave you a chance.. with turk out i hope i get to see you more next year… i was at last nights game and i saw your emotion on the sidelines when yall lost i saw you stare wondering what it felt like to win the championship.. anyway good luck with off season training and sorts.. have fun stay safe.. ill see you next year your my favorite nba and basketball play …. good luck man