J.J. Redick

It’s no coincidence that Ray Allen’s scoring has been inconsistent against the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. It is part of J.J. Redick’s plan, one that has been in the works for years.

As Redick revealed to ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons at the start of the series, he has been studying Allen’s game since he was in college.

“When I got to Duke, coach [Chris] Collins, who was kind of like our guard coach, he used to show me tapes of Reggie [Miller], Ray and Rip Hamilton. Those are the three guys I studied at Duke,” Redick said. “And, obviously watched them shoot the ball, but those guys are really, really good at creating space and then coming off the picks.”

Redick’s comprehensive knowledge of Allen’s skills and tendencies has helped him defend Allen for the second postseason in a row. Redick has an edge on anticipating Allen’s next move because he has emulated them so many times himself. Take Allen’s ability to run off screens as an example.

“Well, I kind of think it’s because that’s what I used to do at Duke,” he said. “I kind of understand the mentality of coming off picks, coming off baseline screens. And really, it’s all about having contact and making sure there’s not that much separation. Ray, as you know, he gets it off so quick, you really have to be on his body.”

Redick’s insight has helped him stay ready on defense. Allen’s scoring has ranged from 25 points to four, shooting as hot as 8-for-16 from the field to 1-for-6.

While Redick’s performance has been overshadowed by more prominent storylines in the series, it has not been lost on Doc Rivers. The coach is well aware of Redick’s contributions on both ends (he is averaging 12 ppg, 45.5 percent FG, 56.3 percent 3PG, 95.5 percent FT) and the impact he has made against the Celtics.

“We can’t know he was going to be Pistol Pete [Maravich] coming into this series, but we did expect him to be a great player,” Rivers told reporters in a conference call on Thursday. “J.J. Redick has hurt us all year in the regular season. It was one of the things we talked about going into the series. J.J. Redick has been very, very important.  He was last year in the playoffs against us, he’s played very well against us in the regular season, and he’s played well again against us in the playoffs now.

“He’s a guy that everyone’s talking about Dwight Howard and Jameer [Nelson]. I think J.J. Redick has been their most consistent player in this series.”

2 Comments for “Doc: Redick most consistent for Magic”

1. Scott Says:
   May 28th, 2010 at 3:52 pm

   JJ is ok by me. Glad he is finally getting some respect! Go Duke and Orlando…

   SA

2. IFRS Certification Canada Says:
   August 17th, 2011 at 3:15 am

   I find peace and solace from your words, and that quote from someone important, “At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not too well and talk well but not too wisely..”.

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