Orlando Sentinel’s Brian Schmitz writes that its time for Evans or Bogans to hit the road if they plan on keeping JJ Redick around.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2008/02/if-magic-keep-r.html
Any why not? As Brian points out, if those two aren’t traded, why keep him around. Why not listen to what other teams may be willing to trade to get Redick out of there.
Brian also just posted his thoughts on JJ heading to D-league for a few weeks. I say why bother? Either he’ll play in Orlando or he’ll be traded. D league will do nothing for his confidence, what little there is sitting on the bench, and once he plays well then what? Bring him back up in 2 to 3 weeks so he can hand out towels and water bottles??
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I think that Otis see’s JJ as their future while the other two will play out their contracts and then go somewhere else. Bogans is playing his best ball for that reason because he can opt out of his contract and see’s more money then he would get from the Magic.
I think that J should just wait it out, I know it’s hard but he is still young and he has his youth compared to the others.
By John Denton
FLORIDA TODAY
ORLANDO — J.J. Redick’s frustration over getting little to no playing time with the Orlando Magic finally bubbled over last week whe he requested to be traded to a team.
Redick has received a dredded DNP-CD 25 times this season, including in each of the Magic’s last seven games. He’s only played double-digit minutes seven times all season.
But give the former Duke All-American credit for this: His work ethic has not wavered one bit. He is always one of the first Magic players at the arena on game nights and he can usually be seen hoisting hundreds of jump shots prior to games.
And Redick has apparently practiced quite well, too. The media (OK, The Orlando Sentinel’s Brian Schmitz and myself) were given a rare sneak peek at practice Thursday and I at least was florred by what I saw.
During one 10-minute scrimmage, Redick scored 14 of his team’s 16 points. He hit one long jumper after another, made a couple of really nice assists and (gasp!) held his own defensively.
Redick opened up about his frustrations to me and most of his comments will appear in a Florida Today story for Friday. But here are some of the best comments:
On why he hasn’t played and his alleged inability to play defense: “The thing that is frustrating for me is not getting a clear understanding of why I haven’t been given an opportunity,’’ Redick said. “You can talk about defense all you want but there have been nine or 10 (shooting) guards who have had their season high on us this year. Obviously Mo (Evans) and (Keith) Bogans are solid defenders, but at some point I figured I’d have at least gotten a chance by now and that hasn’t happened. That’s frustrating.’’
On the suggestion that he should be patient because Mo Evans, Keyon Dooling, Carlos Arroyo and Keith Bogans could become free agents this summer and his chance will come: “The truth of the matter is they will still have guys at my position next year whether we re-sign Mo (Evans) and Keyon (Dooling) and whether or not (Keith Bogans) opts out. There will still be more than just me at my position. I know going into next year, we could have the same crew, or minus one and there would still be a logjam. I’m not going to grow any and my arms are not going to get any longer.”
And on his confidence level, despit enot playing: “I’m confident that given the chance, even in late-game situations and in big-game atmospheres like Phoenix earlier this season, that I can play. But the chances have been so few and far between that it’s been frustrating. But as far as doubting my ability, I don’t think you can do that and be a player in this league.”
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John Denton is a FLORIDA TODAY sports reporter and the Orlando Magic beat writer
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