JJ Redick

12/23/2005

Redick's Transformation

I’ve always enjoyed theatrical productions that bring meaning to our own everyday lives.  Whether they be heroic stories that inspire  or comedies that help get us thru a stressful day, a good play or movie (or book, of course) can often open our eyes to something we may otherwise overlook.  One of my favorites is “My Fair Lady”, the story of the wealthy Linguistic Professor who decides to see if he can pass off a poor flower girl as a Princess simply my teaching her to speak properly.  As this young woman literally transforms before our eyes into a Princess, the Professor still can only see her as the flower girl from the streets that first walked into his house.  Why am I writing about this in a blog about basketball?  Simple how many coaches reading this still see their veteran players as the young inexperienced players they once were?  Perhaps you see maturity, but still limit their offensive or defensive game despite many hours of practice. Or how many players haven’t accepted the notion that their coaches (or teammates) are much more helpful to them than they were originally.  We must allow for growth, both in ourselves and those around us. 

I bring all of this up after watching the Duke vs. Texas game, then reading many articles suggesting JJ Redick still is not talented (or tall) enough to be considered a top 10 NBA draft pick.  I’ve been watching basketball for 30+ years, and evaluating players since 1987, and I’m not sure I remember a more dominant performance by one player in a #1 vs. #2 match-up.  And let’s not forget that #2 is loaded with athletes, and is coached by a terrific basketball mind who is a great defensive teacher. 

Texas

knew coming in what needed to be done to stop Redick-they simply could not do it.  JJ was just too good.  So when people say or write that he is “too small”, or “too slow”, to be a top 10 pick, I have to wonder if they are behaving as Professor Higgins did.  Do they still see Redick as he once was, a standstill shooter with moderate ball skills?  I think yes, they do, but the rest of us see a shooter and scorer that has few peers in the world right now.  Name me a single team that does not have a desperate need for a world class shooter who is ultra-competitive, can handle the ball, and can score coming off screens or driving the lane or pulling up in transition. Can you imagine JJ next to Shaq and D-Wade?  What about with Parker and Ginobli and Duncan?  How many open shots will he get on those teams? Better yet, look at

Toronto

. Clearly a lottery team-let’s say they get the first pick in the draft.  I know people will argue that they should draft a center (Aldridge?), who may be ready to help them in a year or so.  But who would help their superstar, Chris Bosh, more-a young and raw center, or a prolific scorer and leader like Redick?  Talent like JJ’s is rare, and they can always find a banger as a free agent to help Bosh stick to his natural 4 spot (plus Villanueva needs his minutes too).  Calderon is a young and promising point guard, Joey Graham has a chance to be very good as a 3, add Redick to the mix and you have a team that would be tough to defend.  Redick may be hard-pressed to defend the likes of D-Wade (who isn’t), but I promise you Wade will not enjoy chasing JJ down either.

I’m not arguing that Redick should go #1 (yet-it’s only December), I’m only pointing out that he is not the same player he was 2 years ago.  And I bet if you look closely at your team or teammates, you’ll find that you’re treating one or some of them as if they have not developed, when they probably have.