Orlando Magic Best of the Decade: The All-2010s Team
Shooting Guard — J.J. Redick (2010-13)
Early in J.J. Redick’s career, he was struggling to find minutes and get himself on the court. He was struggling to get Brian Hill and then Stan Van Gundy’s defense down. He asked for a trade fairly early into his career.
It took seven seasons for the Magic to trade him. In the meantime, he turned himself into one of the Magic’s most dependable and trusted players. Someone who could play the role as a 3-point shooter and yes defend effectively within the team’s scheme.
When Dwight Howard left the team, J.J. Redick became a bigger part of the offense and he stepped into it seamlessly. In the first year without Howard, Redick averaged 15.1 points per game while still shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc.
He quickly stepped up and made his scoring far more prominent. Even with defenses keying in on him, Redick found space and was one of the team’s leaders in scoring. It made sense he was the most sought-after player at that trade deadline.
Redick has continued to do the same things he did in Orlando for much of the decade. He helped warp the Philadelphia 76ers offense with his shooting ability (they miss him dearly) and he was a big weapon for the LA Clippers. Even at 35 years old, he is getting buckets for the New Orleans Pelicans.
It is amazing how Redick’s career arc has gone. His time with the Magic in the 2010s was some of his best play. He fit in the role with a championship team and established himself as a championship-level role player.
The only thing he is missing is the title to go with it.