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Has JJ Redick received a fair shake? You can make a case both ways. On the one hand, he's appeared in just 76 games over the last two years, playing fewer minutes this past season (just 8.6 per) than his first. It's not often that former lottery picks are denied a chance to prove their worth on the court, so in that respect you can say he's been a victim of circumstance.

On the other hand, two separate coaching staffs have watched him play in practice and come to the same conclusion. No one doubts his deadly range, but the fear is that he'd give up even more points than he scores.

Not everyone agrees that he's destined to be a sieve on defense, though; David Thorpe, basketball trainer and ESPN.com analyst, made a strong case for Redick in an interview with David Friedman of The Biz of Basketball, excerpted after the jump.

I find it absurd that you think JJ can not guard any starting two guard in the NBA. ... I do not think he would require much help (except on screens, of course) when he's matched up with Rashad McCants, Ben Gordon, Maurice Evans, Larry Hughes, Willie Green, Michael Redd, Ray Allen, Ronnie Brewer, Richard Hamilton, Mike Dunleavy, Anthony Parker. Sure, some guys would post him up, and others can get shots over him. But they wouldn't necessarily score efficiently in doing so.

I'm not sure about some of the guys on that list (Michael Redd and Rip Hamilton? Those guys are All-Stars), but I tend to agree with Thorpe. Most NBA teams want something more than a pure spot-up shooter from their two-guard, but in the right system he could still surprise some people. So far the Magic have been reluctant to trade Redick (despite his request), but I'd be shocked if he's not moved at some point this summer.