Updates
Mon, Jul 21st 2008, 18:17
Updates
Hey I just wanted to give you guys an update on what I’ve been up to for the past 18 days. I finished up 6 weeks of workouts in North Carolina on July 10th. It was a great six weeks. In fact, it couldn’t have gone better. Everyone at Duke made their best effort to aid me in becoming a better basketball player- and I sincerely thank all of them. Over at dukeblueplanet.smugmug.com there’s some pictures taken from one of my last workouts with Chris Carrawell- who worked me out everyday for 6 weeks and did a fantastic job. I drove back to Orlando (not the shortest drive in the world) and made it back in time to stop by the RDV Sportsplex for the last day of summer league. My routine got a little screwed up last week though because I got sick- I had some sort of stomach virus and lost about 7 pounds. Wasn’t a good first week back in Orlando for me but all is well now. I’m back to working out with the Magic assistant coaches and Adam Glesner- who is one of our video scouts.
I didn’t get to watch much of the ESPY’s last night but I did see a couple of Justin Timberlake’s skits and Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly’s list of “demands” to host the ESPY’s. Their funniest demand? “I wanna party with Roger Clemens. And I want him to remember it.” I hope I get to go one year- it looks like a blast.
Obviously, there’s been a lot of speculation recently about my status with the Orlando Magic due to us drafting Courtney Lee and signing Mickael Pietrus. I’ve seen some articles written in the Orlando Sentinel saying that my time with Orlando is over. I have no idea what our roster is going to look like going into training camp but I will say this again: from everything I’ve been told, I expect to be with the Magic when training camp starts. That’s the bottom line.
Lastly, I know there’s a number of Duke fans that read this blog so I’ll give you my two cents about next year’s team based on spending a few weeks with those guys at Duke: they are going to be pretty dang good. From what I saw, the guys are hungry and primed for a big year. The only freshman I saw play was Plumlee and I was pretty impressed. He’s going to be good. Heck, we are going to be pretty good.
Ok, I’m done- I’m going to go grab a steak somewhere and go see “The Dark Knight” for the third time, already. Yeah, it’s that good.
Comments
Jaynie | on 27/7/08
I am so glad to hear that you think Duke ball will be good this year. I am so excited to watch them this upcoming season!
Korri | on 25/7/08
JJ,
I was looking at BluePlanet and there are some outstanding pictures in there. I live in Montana and always wanted to see what it was like to be at Duke University. Thanks for the great website! Not only do you see what it is like at Duke, but you also see the beauty that you saw when you went to school there. I have a quick question, have you ever sat with the crazies during a game?
Great work out pic’s and I hope all is well with you and your family!
Korri From Montana
Johnny | on 23/7/08
Im glad to hear that you think you will play for Orlando next year! I really used to be a huge fan of you! You brought me to love the Orlando Magic and I think you for that! Kobe Bryant is my favorite player now! Simply because he is the best at what yall do!But I like the Magic alot better than the Lakers!hahaha
PS: Work on your defense!!!
I want to see you play before Courtney Lee
Ramsey | on 23/7/08
Thanks for the updates. I wish the best for you.
Gary | on 23/7/08
Gotta admit, I actually started following the Magic because of you, and while I still think they’re fools for not playing you more, living up here in NY State, I’d love to see you wind up running in the back-court with Chris Duhon or even backing up Vince Carter (until, you know, they eventually trade his salary too). Be honest, would you have issues coming up North if you did, in fact, turn into an “asset” to the Magic? Maybe in Philly with Mr. Brand? I’m sure I’m like the others on here, and I just really want to see you PLAY! Best danged shooter I ever saw, and I was at the Garden for Duke vs Texas.
Samantha | on 22/7/08
hey jj! i’m glad to hear everything is doing well with you! Can’t wait to see you play this season! Been a while since i got to check out your site for updates! been very busy as well, anyway, keep it up! i might go and see one your games when i get back to the states on December! hope you’re feeling better now! your girlfriend is so lucky to have you! i wish i was in her place..but i guess its not meant to be! anyway, still have lots of love and respect for you! see ya soon!
take care and Godbless!
xoxoxox
Samantha
Megan | on 22/7/08
the dark knight is like amazing! I can’t believe you have seen it three times already!! Glad to hear everything is going well and that Duke is going to be good. I love that team!! Too bad Orlando is soo far away from me, so i never get to catch any of your games on tv, i miss the good ole days where you would be on tv everyweek with duke! God Bless : )
Stephanie | on 22/7/08
I hope to see you back in Orlando, but where ever you end up I hope to see you play more.
Thanks for keeping us informed. I hope you are feeling better.
Take care & God Bless!
Stephanie
D.B. | on 22/7/08
I’m glad that all is well now! Stomach viruses are the worst!
Yes, “The Dark Knight” IS that good! I want to see it again myself!
ED ZELENAK | on 22/7/08
J.J. you need to get the heck out of Orlando!!!! They have been lieing to you for two years now!!!! You need to go to a team which will give you a chance, thats all you have asking of Orlando, and they won’t!!!! So get the heck out of their!!!!
Ed
Cave Spring Class of 85
Joe | on 21/7/08
Great to hear you were working out with C-well. Keep up the hard work JJ, I have no doubts that you ARE going to have great career in the NBA.
Catherine | on 21/7/08
It sounds like your becoming a better basketball player every summer. I wish they could just give you the playing time to prove yourself. Hopefully it will come this season. I hope you feel better from your illness and have a great summer!
p.s.
Dark knight is oscar worthy for sure
Steve | on 21/7/08
I’m trying to figure out why the Magic have 6 players who could play SF next season and 4 players who could play SG…they only thing I can think is that it is going to lead to a BIG trade! Hopefully, we’ll trade a few of those guys for a true PG, which would clear some room on the roster and move you to either the first or second option as SG. Either way, I’m looking for you to get some PT next season—which will only mean good things! Good luck during workouts, I’m looking forward to seeing you dominate next season!
DIANA | on 21/7/08
OH MY THE ESPYS WERE HILLARIOUS I COULDNT STOP LAUGHING JT WAS KILLIN IT!!!!!!
diana | on 21/7/08
glad to hear you bounced back from that virus, i heard that the dark knight was amazing, have you seen hancock??
kestrel | on 21/7/08
I hope you feel better. Thanks for giving us an update on duke and your future with the magic I’ve heard that you might be going to the Heat but i wish you the best of luck with what ever team you end up on. Take care of yourself and stay classy!! peace and love kestrel