Successful Playoff Run for J.J.

This postseason, J.J. Redick enjoyed the best stretch of what has been an up-and-down tenure with the Orlando Magic.  The dynamic scoring guard started eight games during the playoff run, highlighted by a 15 point (5-of-7 from three point range), 4 assist, zero turnover performance during a pivotal Game 6 win against Philadelphia.  The victory sent the Magic to the Eastern Conference semifinals despite the absence of superstar Team USA center Dwight Howard.

Redick shot well during the run to the Finals, hitting 40.4% of his long-range shots for the playoffs, but it was his impressive all-around skills during the playoffs that kept him on the floor, particularly his passing and defense.   Through 24 playoff games, Redick recorded 31 assists against only seven turnovers, for a very solid 4.4-to-1 assist:turnover ratio.  His best game as a playmaker came in Game 4 against Boston, where he finished with a game-high seven assists and zero turnovers in 23 minutes.

Defensively, J.J. showed a remarkable ability to keep up with athletic wing players like Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant.  During the Boston series, Redick kept his spot in the starting lineup by hounding the Celtics’ Allen into some miserable shooting nights.  In the Celtics’ previous seven-game series against Chicago, Allen averaged 23.4 points on 45% shooting from the field.  Against Orlando, when guarded primarily by Redick, those averages dropped to 13.1 points per game on 34% field goal shooting.  The performance left no doubt that J.J. is more than a one-dimensional NBA player and may have earned him a major bump in playing time next season.  Also, the Magic dealt guards Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston before the draft, potentially opening up more minutes for the Duke jersey retiree.

So Close

Duke fans were one game away from getting to see two former Duke teammates square off against each other for an NBA Championship.  Unfortunately, Dahntay Jones and the Denver Nuggets came up just short of joining J.J. and the Magic in the Finals.  Jones made a name for himself in these playoffs with his stellar defense against some of the NBA’s top scorers, including Team USA stars Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant, but Dahntay also provided quite a few Sportscenter highlights with his acrobatic plays around the rim.  The rugged swing man certainly seems to have found a home in Denver, starting every game during the playoffs and shooting 48.1% from the floor.

Gerald Makes the Leap

Thursday night was a big night for Blue Devil All-American Gerald Henderson.  The explosive shooting guard fulfilled a lifetime dream when he was drafted #12 by the Charlotte Bobcats, becoming Duke’s 15^th lottery pick (a record among all college programs) and the 21^st first round pick produced by Coach K (also a record among active college coaches).  The Bobcats have been in need of an athletic shooting guard since trading Jason Richardson to Pheonix this past season, and Henderson stood out in his workouts as exactly the kind of player Coach Larry Brown was looking for.   As an added bonus, Henderson gets to start his professional career just down the road from his college home at Duke.

Capel Developing Some Impressive Talent

Another Blue Devil shooting guard made news at the draft, but this time it was for his work on the sidelines.  Jeff Capel has a ways to go to catch Coach K’s record number of draft picks, but at this early stage in the young Oklahoma head coach’s career, he’s off to an amazing start.  Not only can Coach Capel claim the top player in the draft in power forward Blake Griffin, but Blake’s brother Taylor Griffin also went #48 to the Suns, while his former point guard at VCU, Eric Maynor, was a steal for the Sixers at #20.  Next year’s draft is looking good for Coach Capel too as early mock drafts are listing Sooners guard Willie Warren as a probable top 5 pick.

Off-Season Report

This off-season promises to less hectic than last summer when Luol Deng (new contract), Elton Brand (new team), Chris Duhon (new team) and Corey Maggette (new team) headlined a busy June, July and August.  However, some big decisions are on the table this summer as well.  Over in Utah, Carlos Boozer has to decide if he wants to accept the $12.7 million player option he has for next season.  Should he opt out of the contract, Detroit and New Jersey have been rumored as possible destinations for C-Booz.  Grant Hill is a free agent likely hoping to sign on with a contender with Phoenix potentially in re-building mode.  Other Blue Devil free agents looking for deals with their contracts are Shavlik Randolph, DeMarcus Nelson, Josh McRoberts and Dahntay Jones.  Shelden Williams has a $4.3 million team option with Minnesota.  Each of the other Devils in the league are under contract for next year.