The “Orlando Clippers” are playing a major role this postseason
The “Orlando Clippers” are helping Los Angeles contend in the Western Conference.
Matt Barnes had a way of getting inside opposing players’ psyches while in Orlando. J.J. Redick became a relied upon clutch shooter. Glen Davis provided energy and mid-range shooting while in Orlando. And Hedo Turkoglu was a jack-of-all-trades small forward whose skill set rivaled that of the talented guards to play for Orlando.
And all four are now playing for the Los Angeles Clippers — to various degrees — one step away from the Conference Finals, the same stage all three helped get the Orlando Magic to in 2009 and 2010.
Matt Barnes and J.J. Redick start.
Barnes has been trying to get in James Harden’s head the entire series, even lacing vulgarities about Harden’s mom. The tricks he is doing are the same wily acts he pulled his entire time in Orlando, and Barnes is just one of those guys that players like a lot more as a teammate than an opponent.
Barnes is averaging 8.5 points per game in 30 minutes this postseason, while coming up with 2.46 steals/blocks per game. He is hitting just 29.8 percent from 3-point range and just 42 percent from the floor, but his biggest contributions has been his hustle and intangibles, as always.
Barnes also does not make a multitude of mistakes, turning it over just 1.3 times per game. He is basically a glue guy whose mental antics help give teams an edge, in incalculable ways.
Redick has been playing his typical classic role of shooter. He is knocking down 46.8 percent of his threes this postseason while averaging 15.8 points in 38 minutes a night. He has blossomed as an NBA player, and Stan Van Gundy’s tutelage on the defensive end is what has allowed Redick to thrive as an NBA level talent.
Redick’s first few seasons in Orlando, we wondered if he would ever be proficient enough defensively to get major minutes. That seems like ancient history as he has become a very good defender both chasing his man around screens and covering in pick and rolls.
Redick sets the table for Jamal Crawford to come in and continue firing triples. It is a perfect one-two punch, and the former Magic 2-guard is now in his prime and playing a role for a contending team.
He has had a nice career so far since coming out as one of the ACC’s most hated players ever at Duke.
Redick scored 31 points in the Game Two victory for the Clippers, hitting an astounding 11 of 14 from the floor and 5 of 6 from 3-point range, while playing 37 minutes. It was one of his finest games as a pro.
Glen Davis and Hedo Turkoglu both are seeing minor minutes, with Davis seeing the more significant of the two at 11.5 per game. He is averaging 3.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, but has affected stretches with his hustle and taking charges. Turk was 0 of 4 in nine minutes in the 128-95 victory over Houston in Game Three.
The Clippers lead the Best-of-Seven 3-1 and this could be the opportunity for Redick to win his first ring.
It would be rewarding to see him get the accolades he’d deserved in Orlando, as he played an instrumental role in the Magic’s success and is the kind of 2-guard that belongs in a starting role on a contending team.
Barnes is a useful role player who has found his way onto contending teams. It is no coincidence that he brings championship intensity.
Good luck, former Magic men.