Things are going well for the 2019-20 Philadelphia 76ers. The team is coming off a solid win over the division rival Boston Celtics, their fourth straight victory in a stretch that also includes wins over the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets. As a result, Philadelphia has risen to the top of the Atlantic Division standings and into the third spot in the Eastern Conference.
On Friday, the Sixers will look to continue their solid play when they host the New Orleans Pelicans and old friend JJ Redick. Redick played two seasons in Philadelphia during which he averaged 17.6 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 40.7% from beyond the arc. He played a pivotal role in the Sixers offense and helped the team to two trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
At shootaround on Friday morning, he was asked if he had been keeping up with the exploits of his former team. He said he has, adding, “I’m enjoying their success. I really am.”
“I’m enjoying their success. I really am”
JJ Redick on the #Sixers this season pic.twitter.com/Jx0WdqTSiX
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) December 13, 2019
Redick continued, saying that he would always root for a Brett Brown coached team and that he loves Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and the other Sixers that he played with during his time in Philadelphia.
His response shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Redick is a fan of the game and seemed to genuinely enjoy his time in Philadelphia. He showed his team-first attitude when he uncomplainingly moved to the bench for a brief stint when the Sixers attempted to bring Markelle Fultz along by inserting him into the starting lineup.
It will be interesting to see what kind of welcome Redick receives from the Philadelphia faithful on Friday night. The things we mentioned above helped to endear him to the fan base, but he also opted to leave the franchise in what appeared to be a strictly financial move. No one can fault Redick for taking the best offer he could get, but those types of decisions, however rational, don’t always sit well with the spurned fans of the former team. The fact that the current Sixers could use a player with Redick’s particular skillset only adds a bit of salt to the wound.
We’ll find out what kind of reception Redick receives when the game tips off Friday night at 7:00, and for now we know that he is enjoying the success his old team is having. [lawrence-related id=21254,21229]