WRAL Sports Fan

NBA

Redick glad he has stayed with the Magic

By Tim Hall

Jan 30, 2009

Things don't always go as planned in a career. J.J. Redick was the all-time leading scorer in ACC history and a two-time National and ACC Player of the Year, and he led Duke in scoring for three consecutive seasons. But after averaging only eight minutes per game in his sophomore season with the Orlando Magic, he wanted out.

Redick asked general manager Otis Smith for a trade in the middle of the 2007-08 season, and asked again at the end of the season. The Magic said "no." Now, in his third season with the team, his minutes are rising.

It's been a change from going from the No. 1 scoring option at Duke to a bench player with the Magic, and Redick told 99.9 FM The Fan ESPN Radio on Friday it's been a "humbling experience" that's helped him.

"It's been a good thing. I'm glad that it's happened the way it has," Redick said. "I'm glad that I got knocked back a little bit, and it's been for the better I think."

Though he didn't play in last night's 99-88 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Redick is averaging 17 minutes per game and almost six points per contest. He has started five games this season, the first of his career, including four straight in late October and early November. But he knew playing time would be hard to come by at this level.

"Everybody can play, one through 15. There's a reason why everybody in this league has a job," Redick said. "It's a matter of making the most out of the opportunity you're given. Some guys are given that early on. Some have to earn it, and I'm trying to earn that now."

The former 11th-overall draft pick is shooting better than 40 percent from the three-point line this season. He played 27 minutes last week against defending champion Boston and scored six points. In November, he started at Boston and scored six points in 31 minutes.

On this year's Duke team:

Redick's alma mater, Duke, recently rose to the No. 1 national ranking only to lose the next time out to Wake Forest. Though Redick missed that game for a John Legend concert, he admitted it's weird to watch Duke now that he's in the NBA.  

"It's actually kind of hard for me to watch college basketball now," Redick said. "The level of play is remarkably different."

He hasn't lost his sense of humor while spending time on the bench in his first three seasons. 

"Trust me, I've watched a lot of games over the last few years."