[JoeyGladstoneParticipant]

It was tough seeing him leave Orlando, but I am so glad he is playing well in Milwaukee & has a shot at the playoffs.

On his way out of Orlando, the general manager’s words stayed with J.J. Redick: It’s nothing personal, Rob Hennigan told him.

“But it is personal,” Redick says now.

Perhaps this is a blessing and curse, because professional sports can break a ballplayer’s heart this way. Redick’s loyal this way. He immerses himself in the franchise’s fabric, invests in the community. His two old coaches – Mike Krzyzewski and Stan Van Gundy – still get calls and texts on a regular basis.

“My wife Chelsea and I built a life in Orlando,” Redick told Yahoo! Sports. “Listen, there was no anger [over the trade], but there was a little bit of disappointment.

“Part of me wishes I could’ve been there my whole career and been part of the rebuilding, part of the turnaround, and gotten back to the finals in my 11th or 12th year. That’s the romantic in me, the idealist.”

For Redick, it was over in Orlando. The Magic disassembled into a total rebuild. Part of him will always live with the regret of how everything fell apart, how they fired Van Gundy and traded Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers.

In Redick’s mind, the best thing that ever happened was getting drafted into Orlando with a coach who refused to insert him into the rotation. For two years, Van Gundy challenged him to become a more complete player and Redick thinks “a lot about what kind of career trajectory I would’ve had without Stan, and I’m grateful for what he did for me.”

“Those years in Orlando humbled me,” Redick said, “and gave me perspective on basketball and life.”

Here’s the thing, too: Van Gundy was the best thing to ever happen to Howard’s career, too. Unlike Redick, Howard probably had to leave to understand that. All of the Magic understood, though, they were merely moons orbiting Howard. Redick will always wonder what could’ve been there, and maybe Howard will someday, too.

“I’m sure the scrutiny on him in a bigger market has been tough,” he says. “Whether he was prepared for that, or expected that, I don’t know. He was a hero in Orlando. L.A. already had a hero.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba–bucks-give-j-j–redick-a-shot-at-relevancy-183209813.html

Gortat chimed in on Twitter!!!

Marcin Gortat ‏@MGortat
@WojYahooNBA @JJRedick hands down …Stan made me a better player to! I will never forget that! And he gave me a chance to play!Great leader

Dwight is the only clueless one……SO sad.

[Sewok15Participant]

I can’t stand Redick mostly because he graduated from Duke but I certainly respect him. I never thought he would turn into the NBA player he has.

[machu46Participant]

As a Bucks fan, I was a little weary of acquiring him when we weren’t moving Monta Ellis, but he’s come in and made the time so much better than it was before. I’ve always been a fan of his, but I didn’t think Milwaukee was a great situation for him. I don’t want Milwaukee to give him $10 million a year like he supposedly wants, but I’d love to bring him back for around $7 million. He impacts the game in a lot of ways that don’t show up on the stat sheet.

[JoeyGladstoneParticipant]

Pretty crazy how far is game as come , right? Haha

A lot of fans from diff teams truly don’t know just how good & impactful he has become. Always has been able to shoot obviously, but his ability to make plays for others off off-ball screens & PnRs is pretty impressive. Also his defense has come a long long way & you really don;t have to worry about him on the court at that end anymore.

He is a guy who can take over a game now & a guy who the offense can be ran through throughout the game at times.

Hard work truly will PAY off for him this off season.

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

Im still worried about this trade. Redick has improved this team for this season, actually giving them some efficient and steady guard play and already coming up clutch. The problem is what you said, if they force themselves to give him something like the 4 years, 40 million he’s looking for, then that scares me.
However if he walks then you’ve just given up Tobias Harris, who was never given a shot in Milwaukee, and Lamb for a one-year push at a 7 or 8 seed. Best case he comes back at $7 Million and Jennings plays like a Point Guard for the first time in his career (18 APG last two games)

[RafterParticipant]

It’s so refreshing to read about professionals paying tribute to coaches, it’s a nice change from all the cut-throat and dog eat dog BS that the media loves to whip up.

[R-Dot-13Participant]

JJ Redick is one of my favourite players in the NBA and always was in college. This despite loving to watch Duke lose.

So much respect for the guy’s personailty, game, and hardworking attitude. Really hope things work out in the future for the guy and I really think he deserves to be part of a contender, and play significant minutes and even start for some good teams.

Just a guy that EVERYONE would love to has as a part of their team.

[benny15Participant]

Can i get him on team USA as a shooter specialist? i know he’s not the best player in the league, conference, division or even team, but he’s the kind of pro i want to represent the country. and his game seems like it will translate well to the international game. he definitely seems to have a team first attitude and approach to the game.

[Sewok15Participant]

He would fit in perfectly on Team USA as a shooter but guys like him don’t really get a chance. Redick won’t ever be an all-star and while he is one of the most complete shooting specialists in the NBA he will always be passed over by guys like Eric Gordon.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Stan Van needs to get a coaching gig and Jimmer needs to go play for him.

[scbe2223Participant]

SVG to the Seattle Kings? New move, new coach. It would be a rough job, but if anybody can do it Stan might be the guy. A lot of individual talent on that team

[i’m jus so offendedParticipant]

No offense to JJ but if there is going to be a designated shooter on team USA, it should be Steph Curry

[benny15Participant]

as a huge warriors fan, i’d like him to get the recognition, but in all honesty, i’d rather he use the summer to rest his body and ankles.

[XYRYXParticipant]

You don’t know what you don’t know.

– Dwight Howard

Good to see JJ give credit where credit is to give!

[M-EazyParticipant]

I still remember seeing him playing for Cave Spring HS and pouring 54 on Heritage HS and I was amazed that this white boy was killing like that. He was all jump shot back then and I honestly thought his game would never evolve into anything else. Good to see that I was wrong. I think Orlando will regret moving him as he has turned into a great 3rd option.

[Author]

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