My Apologies To Those Who Built Their Night Around A J.J. Redick Appearance

Posted on Mar 5, 2008 3:11:11 PM

This is an actual e-mail I received just before tip-off Tuesday night of the Magic-Raptors game from a Magic fan. Er, make that a J.J. Redick fan:

Sent: Tue 3/4/2008 6:32 PM
To: Schmitz, Brian
Subject: Tuesday game/no JJ

Well I finally thought I was getting something for my $159 league pass upon seeing today’s articles. So I sat down with a nice Merlot. Someone down there owes me a bottle of wine.. and cheese.

    Yes, I feel badly about that. (Who knew Merlot went with the Magic?)

    As I wrote in Magicbasketblog and Tim Povtak wrote after attending the morning shootaround, it appeared J.J. would receive significant playing time against the Raptors.

     Keith Bogans had a painful abdominal strain, and was questionable.

That would have meant J.J. would have backed up Mo Evans.

     But the “Mo-gans” tag-team at shooting guard — Mo and Bogans — stayed intact.

     Bogans played, although as Coach Stan Van Gundy said, he appeared “uncomfortable.” As usual, Redick sat and didn’t even make a cameo.

       We try to give you the most accurate and up-to-date info we can, despite the fact the Magic are not always forthcoming or particularly helpful when it comes to injury news. Might I also suggest that you don’t plan your evening around the chance of J.J. getting into a game.

      He’s not going to get any charity from teammates who are fighting for playing time, either.

       After the game, Bogans gave me a look when I asked him if he thought about resting. “After what happened to me last season?” he said, referring to his lost season under Brian Hill. And Evans is a free agent-in-waiting.

      So, maybe Mo or Bogans can reimburse you for your wine and cheese.

      How about some Mogan David?

Brian

J.J. Redick expected to see significant playing time tonight!!!

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-bk-povtak030408,0,6390521.story

The coach for the Magic said that JJ most likely will not play on Saturday. He only played against Philly because no one else was playing well in a game the Magic lost badly.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-mnotes2908feb29,0,627709.story

JJ finally got some playing time that was garbage time he scored 10 points in 16 minutes of play. The odd thing is that JJ missed the only 2 free throws he had in the game. We can only hope that this was not a fluke and that JJ will continue to get some decent playing time.

Magic did lose to this game to the 76ers.

Who’s Gone In Shooting-Guard Roulette Between Evans, Bogans, Redick?

Posted on Feb 22, 2008 11:19:38 AM

Barring a summer trade shocker, the Magic will have four of their five starters back next season: Center Dwight Howard, power forward Rashard Lewis, small forward Hedo Turkoglu and point guard Jameer Nelson.

(Hmmmm, would GM Otis Smith be in the market for a point guard even though he signed Nelson to a five-year deal before the season? Or do they offer their entire mid-level of $36 million to Toronto’s Jose Calderon? He’s a restricted free agent, almost impossible to pry loose. But the Raps also have T.J. Ford on the books for an expensive longterm deal.)

With those four Magic starters back, that leaves the question of what to do at shooting guard.

It doesn’t appear that even as a starter Maurice Evans is assured of returning. He’s a free agent. Keith Bogans, who lost the job to Evans just after Evans was acquired from the Lakers, has a player opt and isn’t likely to exercise it. He’d have to be traded if the team wanted to move him.

And then there’s J.J. Redick, the Duke all-American.

I call him the Duke all-American because that’s the only meaningful thing attached to him since he’s been on Orlando’s roster. We have no idea what kind of pro he can — or can’t — become.

I can’t imagine a frustrated Redick returning under the same conditions …..because the Magic likely will go shopping this summer for shooting guards, armed with their mid-level exception. That’s roughly a five-year deal at about $30 million to $36 million (they can also break it in half).

Redick was right when he told me he thinks the team probably will bring somebody else in — another guard.

I have to believe the guy is gone. If he can’t beat out Evans or Bogans — and those players aren’t guaranteed spots next season — how is Redcik miraculously going to jump to the role of starter or backup?

Unless he’s been that good in practice.

Evans and Bogans are backups on contenders. Each gives you something different — Evans the driving, finishing ability; Bogans is the better shooter from 3-point land.

Who’s out there this summer that’s really better?

Eduardo Najera? Matt Barnes? Carlos Delfino?

I like Najera. He’s a tough guy, but a backup also.

The Magic might have to re-sign Evans, who is making just $1.5 million this season. That shouldn’t be a problem.

J.J.’s future is an entirely different matter.