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Orlando Magic: 15 best draft picks of all time

By Philip Rossman-Reich

AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 30: Chris Webber, number one overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, shakes hands with Penny Hardaway, number three overall pick by the Orlando Magic, during the NBA Draft at The Palace of Auburn Hills on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 30: Chris Webber, number one overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, shakes hands with Penny Hardaway, number three overall pick by the Orlando Magic, during the NBA Draft at The Palace of Auburn Hills on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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2006 — Round 1, Pick 11

J.J. Redick arrived in the NBA with a lot of baggage. He was from the Duke Blue Devils, number one. There was that pressure. And he was already the most-hated player in college basketball. Everyone seemingly wanted him to fail.

And for his first few years in the NBA, it seemed like he would. J.J. Redick struggled to get off the bench when Brian Hill was the coach. And Stan Van Gundy, also a noted defensive taskmaster, was not quick to play him either.

Redick played 76 games in his first two years. He asked then-general manager Otis Smith for a trade at one point. He was struggling to get on the floor.

But Redick stuck with it. He slowly got better defensively. And he slowly got playing time.

That work ethic endeared him to Magic fans. He quickly became a fan favorite. Throughout the 2009 Finals run and even after Dwight Howard left, J.J. Redick was a fan favorite.

In seven seasons, he averaged 9.2 points per game and shot a 53.1 percent effective field goal percentage. He has continued to grow and improve his game. Shooting never fades. And he proved that as he continued to grow his game.

Magic fans still have a soft spot for Redick.