Updates
Wed, Jun 17th 2009, 09:01
MY BLOG -- JUNE 17
We met yesterday for the last time as a team and that was kind of hard for all of us because we felt like we should still be playing. Even though losing still stings, we’re starting to realize now what we accomplished was something special. We had a nice buzz in the city for a few weeks and gave people something to be excited about.
Getting through the playoffs and to The Finals was a big step forward for us and we’re headed in the right direction now. We were three wins away from a championship. To be so close is disappointing and frustrating, but we’ll have time to reflect and start getting ready for next year.
I can’t lie to you guys: I can’t get the image of Kobe Bryant celebrating out of my head. That will be forever seared in head, but hopefully not forever. Hopefully we’ll win a championship soon and we can have our own celebration. It’s still tough for us, and that’s motivation for us for next season.
Losing 4-1 in The Finals will push us this offseason to get better. No team worked harder than we did this season and I think it showed in how together we were as a unit. We were in Philly together with Jameer in August and most all reported early to training camp by September. I think if we come in as early and as hungry into training camp again we’ll have another great year next season.
Personally, I’m not going to touch a ball at least until the start of July. That will give me a couple of weeks off to recharge my batteries and get away a little bit. I say that, but I got a quick lift in Tuesday morning before our team meeting. I’m one of those guys that if I don’t do something athletic every day, I’m kind of going crazy inside. So I’m going to try and take some time away from basketball, but I can’t make any promises because I just love it so much.
I just want to thanks all of the fans for their support this season. It was a good one for myself and the Magic. Please keep checking back as I hope to keep updating this blog throughout the summer. It will be a short offseason for us, and that’s a good thing after making it so far. We’ll back next season, I promise.
jj
Comments
Giuls | on 23/6/09
I cannot express enough how proud of you and the Magic I am. It was such an amazing season for both of you, yes not winning the championship was disappointing but you gained the respect of everyone who doubted you guys. Enjoy your time to relax and I look forward to next year!!!
Brenda | on 23/6/09
Happy Birthday, JJ!! Great season.
Kestrel | on 23/6/09
Enjoy your much needed break….and your birthday, and Chloe’s birthday. Thank you again for a great season, i can’t wait to see you there next season. have a great summer! peace and love always, kestrel
Dennis G Duncan | on 21/6/09
Great season! You have my 8yr old twins fighting over who gets to be you on our backyard court. Your doing something right, One of the twins just got back from Basketball camp, and loved it. Thanks Bro, your are kinda like a HERO to us all. Enjoy your summer!
Dennis Duncan | on 21/6/09
My twins argue in the back yard on our court, “I’m JJ” “No I am, I have number 4 “. JJ You are doing something right! Keepin it real in Cave Spring. You said it “if your gonna dream, dream big”
Ryan | on 21/6/09
Congrats on a great season jj. I kno you guys will be back nxt year earning another trip 2 the finals. but keep the good work up and thanks 4 being such a positive role model 2 me.
Beka | on 21/6/09
Happy birthday JJ!
Chad | on 20/6/09
Think of all those other teams that had to sit out while only two were left…they got a lot more to worry about!
Kristen | on 19/6/09
I never followed an NBA team till you joined the Magic. I have also been a huge college basketball fan and when I found out my favorite Duke player moved on to Orlanda I decided to check it out. Best Wishes and congrats on a good season!
Idaliz Gonzalez | on 18/6/09
Hey just want to say congrats on the season!! And I know how you feel, just now I was thinking how life is so complicated and complex like a roller coaster. One minute you are up, one minute you are down, the next upside down. Then before you know it you’re puking your guts out saying never again. Knowing you will do it again the next time you find a new cool looking ride or heck just because you’re tall enough. And FYI you are “tall” enough to handle it, so next time it will be you celebrating the win. :)
-I wish you the best
Mariel | on 18/6/09
JJ! You’re like a fine wine… you’ll only get better with age, and with that age comes the experience that will take you far in your career. Whatever has your focus also has you, so get that image of Kobe out of your head and don’t give him the satisfaction. He has nothing on you… on or off the court! Enjoy your break, get your mind right and I look forward to seeing you and the Magic next season (you promised!). =)
Robert Sheek | on 18/6/09
Thanks for a great season. I felt like they should have used you more, but At least when they did , you were ready and gave it your all. unlike most subs that come off the bench….......you did all the right things pass , defend, and put up shots within the system. Thanks again and look forward to next year!!
Ashlee Gibbon | on 18/6/09
Hey remember that time when Kobe lost to the Celtics? You know, the same team that you beat this year…well, all I have to say is: Kobe can have his win this year, because his puppet is ugly…lol, j/k.
Boston Dave | on 18/6/09
Dear JJ,
You are, like, like my Fave Baller Of All Time! (My F-BOAT) Ha! I just want you to know that I have been following your lustrous, star spangled career since middle school (Go Roanoke Tigers!) and it has never ceased to amaze the masses when your “silky-smooth-like-a-baby’s-bottom” jumper swooshes through the net time and time again. I, too, have had an awesome bball career (im 25-0 on NBA JAM Arcade Edition) and want to share some advice. Two things really: 1) When you hit two shots in a row, you are “heating up.” But, when you hit 3 shots in a row, you are “on fire” and the basketball will spontaneously combust. At this point, you can shoot from anywhere in America and it will still go in! Remember that next time you hit 3 in a row cause its pretty schleek when the net catches fire from the flaming ball! 2) BEEF. All good shooters use the BEEF acronym to remember to (B) Bend your fingers before each shot so they are nice and loose. (E) Eat a low calorie snack before the game so your tummy doesn’t go hungry. (E) Elevators and escalators only on game days, gotta save the calves for the court. And finally, (F) Flop after contact to get to the charity stripe for easy buckets. Speaking of the charity stripe, how did you get so good at that? Did you practice? Its like a lay-up for you even though you are 15 feet away! That’s wicked fah!
Anyways, as your Number One-est fan, I just wanted to thank you for giving me something to do during the playoffs after the Celtics were eliminated. Blue, you are my boy and THAT’S WASSUP!
arianne d. | on 18/6/09
HI JJ!! Honestly i was an avid fan of LA LAKERS way back before, but when i noticed your team’s determination..i was very much impressed on how you really persevered so much to make it till finals. I am not the type of person who really makes an up to date information about a player, but when i got the chance to see you play throughout the season I got the idea to know you more and watch more of your games. I really believe in your talent and I know that the next season would be something better for all of you. You have the talent, and I do hope that I’ll get to see more of you playing inside the court next season. I believe that you deserve more playing time than others. Be strong and ask GOD for guidance and I’m sure He will never disappoint you. By the way, I just want you to know that you have so many fans here in the Philippines.. Hope to see more of your “JJ moves” next season! Enjoy your vacation. GOD bless you and your team.. =)
Karen Ivy S. | on 18/6/09
Hi JJ! You and the Magics will come back stronger next season. I am so proud of what you and the team have achieved on your very young experience. Enjoy your vacation!
Bruce Parker | on 18/6/09
How frustrating is it to have to sit there & watch others play when you know that you have the talent to be playing much more while others with less talent seem to be getting more playing time?
Steve Rogers | on 18/6/09
Congrats on the great season JJ. I agree though, I really wish you could get on another team to get more pt. In my opinion you have more than proved yourself to everyone who has ever doubted you being an NBA player. I enjoyed watching you play great defense on Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant and loved watching you drain those 3’s! I just received my first game used jersey of yours from the 2007-08 season as a gift from my father ( who is also a big fan of yours ) and will be framing it very soon. Its my favorite piece of memorabilia I own! Again, great season JJ and look forward to another one in 2009-10.
Susan | on 18/6/09
It was great watching you play this season from our section in 221. There was a big group of us up there who always screamed for you every time you hit the court. I was so glad I picked this particular season to buy season tickets (we can’t afford to do it next year — my husband had to take an 8 percent pay cut). We were so lucky to get #7 Redick jerseys with our tickets — my rep gave them to us after we remarked how incredible of a player you are. Since you guys were so awesome, I now have a huge collection of blue playoffs t-shirts. Thanks again for the best NBA season ever. Who cares if you didn’t get the ultimate championship. It wasn’t meant to be. You guys are still champions to us!
PS: You mentioned you would like to try clothing design. I would be interested to see what you come up with for casual sports wear (don’t forget us gals!) and maybe some cool t-shirt designs.
Elaine | on 18/6/09
Hey JJ,
Just wanted to let you know that you, as well as the rest of the Orlando Magics team members, did an incredible job throughout this 08-09 NBA season. Even though I am a true Laker fan at heart, I was definitely rooting for you guys to win the East Conference Finals this year to play against the Lakers for the NBA Finals. Each player in your team is extremely talented, yet humble at the same time, and I appreciate that. Not all teams I have watched throughout playoff seasons have such sophistication and composure as the Magics, and that is the kind of team I feel the Lakers should always play against during any basketball game. You guys are, no doubt, my 2nd favorite team in the NBA.
Catherine | on 18/6/09
WOO HOO your the best JJ!!
Carly | on 17/6/09
You’re awesome, stay looking good.
Enjoy your summer :)
One great season down, plenty more to come.
Lyss | on 17/6/09
Wow, a whole 13 days without basketball. That’s going to probably drive you insane. Try and think of something other than Kobe okay? Like imagine yourself with the trophy…because we know that will happen next year! Work hard in the offseason!
Cecile W. | on 17/6/09
JJ pppuuhhhllleeaasseee dont let Kobe’s celebration get to you, it will be just a temporary celebration. It will die down and you guys will be back quicker than you can imagine. Time flies! Take it day by day and just deal with it as it comes along. You did an awesome job and I will be waiting for your come back! Take care! MMMuuuwwaaahhhh!
Dawn | on 17/6/09
JJ-
This season is a stepping stone for future success. Use the image of Kobe’s celebration to push yourself and your teammates. The Magic will be back, and the fans can’t wait to see what happens next.
Tom | on 17/6/09
great season…i think u really improved this year…i think u need to b more agressive obviously ur a great shooter so theyll drop…my coaches told me that ALL the time and it rlly made an impact…good luck next season
Lanie | on 17/6/09
I would like to preface this with happy that the grieving is evolving and that you are starting to appreciate what you were all able to accomplish… congrats on the increase playtime/points, and after only couple years ability to say that you made it to and played in NBA FINALS!!! However, 3 games away will always be worst case scenario for the “other” team. Through knowledge, practice, perserverance comes skill perfection and consistency as individual and decreased wrong decisions/ judgements as team. Take the time as with all in life, grieve, accept, learn from and move on…
Being new to mia, saw heat play but as magic kept going was excited to support you all as well, Haven’t seen rafer play since he played for the raptors, took me back…cannot be done regularly but willing to make effort whenever possible;)
Enjoy your well deserved/needed r&r, but not for too long…read m. gladwell, the outliers, if you get a chance, it’s a fascinating view on life, especially its sports/athletes analogy which reinforces that you play for the love of the game!!
HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY!!! Hope you get to have that blowout bash this year, if not, chilling with true friends and family has it own virtues!!!
Guidance:)
coby | on 17/6/09
jj! i love your updates, they’re always so interesting to read =) congratulations for like the eighth time on such a great season! it will only get better for you and the team next year. enjoy your time off as much as you can! basketball will be there when you’re ready to come back. can’t wait for next season and some more magic games!!! have a great couple days.. update again soon! also, happppy birthdayyyy!!! in case you don’t blog til afterwards!
love, coby <3 xoxo
steve carlston | on 17/6/09
JJ- it was a great ride, enjoy your summer and we wiil once again be pulling for you next season
your fans in LA.
If you come to Vegas overe the summer and want a place to train I got the best hoop/training facility for you…
Nicholle | on 17/6/09
yall did so amazing this season! im sad that its all over :( but im really excited about how far yall got and how good you did. i cannot even wait for next season adn i know yall will be back and better than ever! haha, your just like me, because i cannot go a day with out playing basketball or running or just doing something athletic even if its only for like ten minutes! but i have to take breaks bc sometimes it seems like thats all i end up doing all day. i think the magic is amazing and that your amazing too, and i have really enjoyed watching yall all season, and i never missed a game! yall are amazingggg! :)
Anıl B. | on 17/6/09
rediicckk
actually, we wanna thank for everythıng U gave us thıs season
I belıeve we’ll get the ımage of kobe’s celebratıng out of our mınds..
we wıll do ıt together.. each of orlando’s magıcıans and each of orlando’s fans…
I <3 so much more than U can ımagıne:D
I’ll always support U..
I have a lot of thıngs to say but I can wrıte nothıng:(
anyway…:D
greetıngs from turkıye to everyone :D
Ryan Acuff | on 17/6/09
Keep us posted on your new vaction spots! It’s always excting to hear your thoughts in the summer.
Liza | on 17/6/09
It was a great run for you guys. My family and I enjoyed every game. Hope you have a relaxing break. See you in the fall. :)
April Clark | on 17/6/09
You guys were GREAT! Keep your head and I agree you will be back next season.
Courtney | on 17/6/09
Congratulations on a GREAT season! It’s always tough to lose, but you guys had an amazing Game 5! Kept trying and didn’t give up. You especially played well making your 3s, awesome passing, and not giving up having to block Kobe…it’s just disappointing that you got so little game time :( I’m sure you would’ve done some amazing things had you gotten more time :) But there’s always next season.. so enjoy your break, you deserve it after a great season! You’ll come back refreshed and ready to play!
Magic Babe | on 17/6/09
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/orlando_magic_fanatics/2009/06/magic-babe-and-nuggets-babe-chat-up-the-game.html
Blake Malicoat | on 17/6/09
JJ, I come from a big city in Indiana, and as you probably know, we live, breathe, and sleep basketballl. My favorite college team is Duke because the passion and intensity they play with, just llike the way you Magic players did all the way up to the Finals, im not criticizing you guys, but you should have been more aggressive and driven in and drawn fouls on gasol, odom, and bynum. Man they go for the pump fake every single time! Really though what I want you to try to do is get out of Orlando, Gundy does not give you the PT you deserve man. Now i know there’s more than just playing time to the game of basketball, but in order for you to contribute you have to play! When you played against the Celtics Ray Allen got shut up for like under 15 points every game you guarded him. All im saying is I would LOVE to see you in a Pacers jersey or even a run and gun Suns jersey next year, im sure Larry Legend, ( Larry Bird ), would be thrilled to have the greatest college shooter, and arguably the best college player of all time. Thanks for reading my message JJ, I would be really really happy if you responded, because I play basketball and I need a mentor like you!
Blake
Nat | on 17/6/09
Enjoy your vacations ;-)