The Orlando Magic’s top picks outside the top five
By S.W. Guest
2 – J.J. Redick
J.J. Redick entered the NBA as the 11th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft out of Duke.
As a Blue Devil, he won a string of awards including the National College Player of the Year Award in 2006, before becoming the 13th Duke player to have his jersey retired in 2007.
While his ability to make jump shots set him apart as a college player, NBA scouts questioned his ability to perform at the next level, placing particular emphasis on his defensive deficiencies.
Those doubts were confirmed in the early stages of his career, as Redick struggled to earn consistent minutes in Brian Hill and then Stan Van Gundy’s lineup despite showing flashes of potential in his first couple of seasons.
In his third year, he made 64 regular season appearances, averaging 17.4 minutes per game. That number jumped in the Playoffs though, as Redick found himself playing an important role in the Magic’s run to the Finals, averaging 20.4 minutes and making eight starts in 16 appearances.
Redick was a big part of the Magic’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2010 too, as he shot 42 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3-point territory in the course of 14 postseason games.
His best season in pinstripes also turned out to be his last, as in 2013 Redick averaged 15.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, while shooting 45 percent from the field and 39 percent from deep prior to being traded to Milwaukee. He was the leader of a rebuilding team and paced hte team throughout the season.
Since then Redick’s career has gone from strength to strength, as he has become an essential part of Doc Rivers’ Los Angeles Clippers team.
Last season, he averaged 16.3 points while logging career highs from the field (48 percent) and from 3-point range (47 percent), proving those who doubted his ability to become an NBA starter wrong.
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