J.J. Redick, as a result of being a star in his Duke days, has a lot of fans. One of those fans, maybe the most obsessed, was killed by a drunk driver last summer. As the Fauquier Times-Democrat in Virginia relates, the fan's brothers and friends made an effort to connect with Redick after the unfortunate death. When they did (with Facebook as a conduit), Redick invited the fellows down for a weekend adventure in Orlando. A very decent move. (Since I'm not his PR flak, I feel obligated to tell you Redick got pinched for a DUI about 18 months ago, which is a very sad coincidence with regards to this story.)Anyway, Redick has decided he's not getting a fair shake in Orlando, and his agent is asking for a trade. The Magic seem more than understanding, though they aren't going to trade the kid so long as three guards in the rotation are free agents and likely won't be back next season. Florida Today's John Denton talked to Stan Van Gundy.
"I know he's really frustrated because there's not much more he can do. He plays well out here in practice, and when we give him chances in games he's played well. That's a frustrating thing, but he has to keep doing what he's doing."With Orlando's cap situation, Redick should get his chance next year. Patience, young mantis.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. I'm no JJ fan, but his services can be used by an NBA team. Get him out of Orlando.
Posted at 6:15PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Ryne Nelson
2. Obviously the writer of that article was well aware that he had a DUI (as are all other sports fans after his DUI was the most talked about subject prior to the 2006 NBA draft). In this day in age with pro athletes involvement in scandals, steroids, dog fighting, etc. it's nice to actually have a human interest story about a professional athlete reaching out to a family going through a terrible tragedy. The sports writer of the Fauquier Times paper chose to leave that minor detail out because he had compassion and didn't feel the need to bring negativity to such a heartfelt story. Was it necessary to bring up the DUI? Why are you trying to tarnish such a great story?
Posted at 8:09PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Anonymous
3. Why should his criminal past be excluded from a story just becuase its supposedly a "public interest" story? Why should his past be exempt?? Isn't that what the internet is for?? to expose people LOL. GET OVER YOURSELF!!! He broke the law just like all of the other athletes and he will be remembered for it, jut like the other athletes.
JJ could be extremely useful on many other teams....
Posted at 9:12AM on Jan 31st 2008 by ndn
4. Van Gundy was being less than 100% honest. I like Redick and the Magic are clearly an above-average team, but let's face it, one of the great pure shooters in the history of the game would not be rotting on an NBA bench if he didn't have serious deficiencies in other areas, that's not just about a crowded backcourt.
Posted at 3:33AM on Feb 1st 2008 by Dave