Tag: J.J. Redick

D’Angelo Russell feels bad for Michael Porter Jr. during the playoffs

Russell explained to J.J. Redick that he felt bad for Porter based on the way the Jazz kept targeting him on defense in the first round.

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Michael Porter Jr. started off the season restart as a key rotational player for the Denver Nuggets but was eventually removed from the starting lineup by head coach Michael Malone after Game 3 during their first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz.

Porter began his stint at the Walt Disney World Resort on fire and was eventually named to the NBA All-Seeding Games Second Team after averaging 22.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and one steal in seven games played.

However, Porter has struggled at times on defense. The Jazz consistently targeted him on defense and would often put him into pick-and-roll situations against Donovan Mitchell. His downfall on defense likely played a role in his benching as Malone opted to add more defensive versatility in the lineup.

The defensive struggles by Porter was a topic of conversation between D’Angelo Russell and J.J. Redick. Russell appeared on the latest episode of Redick’s podcast and the two reminisced about the time when Russell and the Brooklyn Nets took advantage of Redick on defense in the playoffs last year, which reminded Russell of how the Jazz targeted Porter.

I think we ran the same play maybe like two or three times, you ended up fouling out and I was like, ‘Run that [expletive] again! He can’t play in this game!’ I just remember you walked to the bench and how you felt and I’m watching the playoffs this year and how they keep bringing Michael Porter Jr. into the ball screens. I just feel bad for him! I’m like, ‘Whatever I gotta do to not be this guy!’

To Porter’s credit, Malone later said that he handled the benching after Game 3 like a complete professional. Malone believes Porter has played well given that it’s his first taste of the playoffs and he has added a great source of energy off of the bench.

Porter eventually bounced back in Game 6 and, surprisingly, finished a game-high plus-21 on the court, despite finishing with only two points. He played a key role in the Nuggets coming back from a 3-1 series deficit and has managed to put the defensive struggles behind him.

Porter played mostly mop-up duty on Thursday in Game 1 against the Los Angeles Clippers as the Nuggets lost, 120-97. Denver will look to get back on track in Game 2 and they will once again need Porter to bring that energy off of the bench.

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J.J. Redick had a very NSFW reaction to Bol Bol blocking his shot

Redick was completely surprised the 7-foot-2 Bol blocked his shot from just inside the 3-point line.

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The New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets faced off in a scrimmage game on Saturday at the Walt Disney World Resort ahead of the season restart this month and featured yet another impressive performance by rookie Bol Bol.

Bol scored 16 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots in his unofficial debut with the Nuggets on Wednesday. He followed that up by recording 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in a team-high 35 minutes of work in the 119-104 loss.

One of his two blocked shots came against J.J. Redick early in the first quarter. On the play, Redick pump-faked from the corner, took a step in and attempted to take a shot. However, Bol was there to contest the shot, a shot Redick was completely surprised he got to.

Warning: Tweet contains explicit language

The blocked shot by Bol was captured on video, of course, and included in his first-half highlight reel by Bleacher Report. The block on Redick happens toward the end of the clip but it is seemingly a shot that most players would have no shot at getting but the long wingspan of Bol got Redick.

Redick scored nine points in the scrimmage, shooting 3-of-5 from 3-point range, as the Pelicans played without No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson after recently rejoining the team. Williamson is undergoing a mandatory four-day quarantine and should be cleared in time to play on Thursday as the Pelicans kick off the season restart.

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J.J. Redick on Zion leaving the Pelicans: ‘I feel awful for him’

Redick said that he felt awful for Williamson as he appeared to be in a good place prior to leaving the team due to a family emergency.

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On Thursday, the New Orleans Pelicans announced that No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson departed the Walt Disney World Resort in order to attend to an urgent family medical matter.

The organization did not offer additional details on Williamson leaving out of respect for his family but the incident added yet another obstacle the 20-year-old has endured this season. Of course, Williamson missed most of the season after undergoing knee surgery last year and appeared to be just getting into a groove before the season was suspended on March 11.

J.J. Redick, Williamson’s teammate on the Pelicans, said Thursday on his podcast that he felt awful for him as Williamson appeared to be in a good place prior to leaving the team.

I reached out to Zion and I told him we’re going to do our best to hold it down for him until he gets back, whenever that is. As a teammate, he is a family member so we’ll do our best to keep this thing rolling. Whatever is going on, we want the best for him. I feel awful for him because so much of this season has been a rollercoaster for him and it seemed like he was in such a good place so, hopefully, we get him back soon.

The Pelicans said Williamson will eventually re-join the team but will be forced to quarantine for a period of four days prior to returning to play. He will need to pass a coronavirus test each day in quarantine.

The rest of the players on the Pelicans will need to come together in order to fill the void of Williamson but his family situation certainly takes precedence over the game of basketball.

The Pelicans begin the season restart July 30 vs. the Utah Jazz.

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J.J. Redick hilariously stood up Nicolo Melli on the golf course

Pelicans rookie Nicolo Melli hilariously spilled the beans that Redick bailed on playing golf with him on a recent day off.

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New Orleans Pelicans players J.J. Redick and rookie Nicolo Melli made plans on a recent day off to hit the golf course but the 14-year veteran hilariously left his teammate high and dry.

The NBA has created several activities that players can partake in inside of the bubble. Among the amenities, players can take advantage of the golf courses on-site at the Walt Disney World Resort, which has become a popular choice to kill some time.

Redick has been seen previously at the golf course since arriving last week but, as Melli detailed on Thursday, he apparently did not want to go golfing this time.

Thanks to JJ, who stood me up, I woke up very early in the morning because we were supposed to go play golf. He texted me that he didn’t want to go anymore but I still set the alarm very early so I woke up very early with nothing to do. I read a book, went to the pool and had some therapy.

Despite spurning Melli recently, the two have apparently reconciled things as Redick posted on Friday morning that he was making up for standing him up with Melli’s first golf lesson.

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J.J. Redick agrees with Ja Morant: ‘The bubble life has been fine’

The Pelicans guard backed up what Ja Morant had to say about the conditions inside of the bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort.

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New Orleans Pelicans guard J.J. Redick said that he has had no problems with the conditions inside of the bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.

The environment of the bubble became front and center last week as teams began to arrive at the Wide World of Sports Complex. Some players depicted the food options as being less than ideal while others were fine with the items on the menu.

Memphis Grizzlies rookie Ja Morant called out those players that took issue with the conditions, saying that he wasn’t a “silver spoon guy” and that the options have been fine. Redick agreed with that assessment on Sunday during his media availability with reporters.

Getting outside and golfing yesterday was key. The bubble life has been fine. I think Ja Morant said it best: The hotel is fine, the food is fine, everything is fine. We’re here to play basketball, to further our mission. We have a responsibility and a job to do. It’s fine.

As players began to exit quarantine and were free to move around the bubble, the league has started to provide catered meals from different restaurants, including Del Frisco’s, The Oceanaire and Joe’s Crab Shack among others.

Meanwhile, the players on the Pelicans appear to be adjusting well to the bubble. Redick has been among the players taking advantage of the on-site golf course and even took part in a Bud Light shotgunning contest after losing a bet with fans on Twitter.

The Pelicans will kick off the season restart July 30 vs. the Utah Jazz.

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J.J. Redick on Zion’s viral photo: ‘He legit looked like a superhero’

Redick, like the rest of the NBA, was impressed with a recent picture that went viral of Pelicans teammate Zion Williamson.

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No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson went viral this week after the New Orleans Pelicans posted a photo of him working out in the team facility with a mask on.

Williamson looked to be noticeably bigger and in better shape in the photo as the image quickly began to spread on social media. Williamson said that he is in good shape after he had been working out every day with his stepfather during the coronavirus pandemic.

Fans on social media began to compare the photo of Williamson to Bane in “Batman” given his masked look. J.J. Redick agreed with that statement and said Friday on his podcast with Tommy Alter that Williamson looked like a superhero in the photo.

Zion definitely looks great. The picture that was put up [on Thursday], the mask was like an added effect. The side angle of him turning, it was like half Thanos, half Bane. He legit looked like a superhero. I’m excited to see what he does. Apparently, for the last several weeks, he has been training really hard so I’m excited to see him in this environment.

Williamson was granted permission by the NBA to remain in New Orleans during the hiatus and receive continual treatment at the team facility. Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry said this week that Williamson has worked extremely hard and his recent viral picture certainly proved that.

Williamson, Redick and the rest of the Pelicans team won’t have to wait long to restart the season as they are the first scheduled game to take place on July 30. The Pelicans will face the Utah Jazz as they look to solidify their place in the playoff picture.

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J.J. Redick has ‘no doubt’ Zion will develop the right way in the NBA

J.J. Redick believes the sky is the limit for Zion Williamson given his character and work ethic on and off of the court.

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J.J. Redick has often spoken very highly of New Orleans Pelicans rookie teammate Zion Williamson throughout the season and that affinity reached another level recently.

Though Redick had never met Williamson prior to this season, the former Duke Blue Devil had heard great things from those around Williamson last year on campus. Once Redick eventually met Williamson, he was blown away by his demeanor and character.

Speaking with Bill Simmons on his podcast, Redick once again had good things to say about Williamson and believes he is on track to enjoy great success throughout his NBA career.

My first impression of him is I have never met a 19- or 20-year-old who is that famous, and that famous from such a young age, who is so level-headed. Like, he’s not an [expletive]. He doesn’t have a big head. I think the biggest thing for him is just learning to develop the right habits but I have no doubt that he is going to do that.

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Williamson has emerged as one of the most popular players in the NBA as a rookie. His play on the court has become a lightning rod for attention and his personality and character off of the court has made Williamson a likable player for fans.

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JJ Redick says the NBA did the play-in game to include Zion Williamson

Redick believes the NBA included a play-in game since Williamson and the Pelicans were not in the playoff picture.

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As the NBA was discussing plans to restart the 2019-20 season, reports surfaced indicating the league was focusing on ways to include Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans.

Williamson has emerged as perhaps one of the most entertaining players in the league during his rookie season given his athleticism and ability to make highlight-reel plays. As a result, the NBA was looking to ensure he was included in the restart in July.

J.J. Redick, Williamson’s teammate on the Pelicans, agrees with that idea.

Speaking on his podcast on Monday with Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton and co-host Tommy Alter, Redick believes the NBA included a play-in game since Williamson and the Pelicans were not in the playoff picture.

I think, specifically, with the Western Conference, it gives all of these teams sort of bunched up a fair shot to get the eighth seed. I think they did the play-in game because Zion is not in the playoffs; that’s why they brought these teams back. There are probably some other financial reasons in regards to regional sports network contracts but for the attention of the NBA, I wonder if it was reversed — and, by the way, Ja Morant is a highlight reel and an attraction in his own right — if Zion was in the eighth seed and the Pelicans we were in the eighth seed, I wonder if they are even doing this.

I should also mention that Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and a bunch of other guys that are attractions and highlight-reel players and star players in their own right. I’m not taking anything away from those guys.

Since the Pelicans were on the outside of the playoff picture when the season was suspended, NBA commissioner Adam Silver had to get creative in order to include Williamson.

The Board of Governors eventually approved a 22-team competitive format to restart the season, which includes eight regular-season games before the playoffs. The plan includes a play-in game for the eighth seed if the ninth-placed team is within four games of the eighth-placed team.

The Pelicans will begin 3.5 games back of the Memphis Grizzlies and face a tough challenge when the season resumes. They will have a potentially tough schedule, which is reportedly the next eight games on their schedule, and will be forced to compete with four other teams for ninth place.

While the Pelicans are not guaranteed to earn the final playoff berth in the Western Conference, the inclusion of Williamson for a minimum of eight games is still a likely victory for the NBA.

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Zion Williamson marveled at the age gap between he and J.J. Redick

Williamson said the most surprising thing about his rookie season has been the age difference with some of his teammates.

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As the youngest player on the New Orleans Pelicans, there is a significant age gap between Zion Williamson and J.J. Redick, the oldest player on the team.

Williamson will turn 20 years old in July and is the fourth-youngest player in the NBA, behind Alen Smailagić, Talen Horton-Tucker and Sekou Doumbouya. Conversely, Redick, who will turn 36 next month, entered the 2019-20 season as the ninth-oldest player.

In an interview with Jim Eichenhofer of Pelicans.com, Williamson said the most surprising thing about his rookie season is the age difference between him and some of the veterans on the roster.

In college, you ask them, ‘What class do you have? What are you doing tomorrow?’ In the NBA, it’s, ‘Hey JJ, E’Twaun (Moore), Darius (Miller), what do you have going on tomorrow?’ (They respond), ‘Oh, I’ve got to take my kid to school.’ Wait, you have to take your kid to school? I’m (only) 19. I’m not thinking about that. So that’s been a funny change. But (on the court), the most surprising thing is the pace of the game.

As a veteran, Redick has often spoken highly about Williamson.

Redick appreciates the type of person he is and has raved about his character. Redick had previously heard from Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski that Williamson was a great kid and he has seen that firsthand this year.

Though there is a significant age gap between Williamson and Redick, there is a mutual respect there and the two appear to have developed a close bond this season in New Orleans.

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Seth Curry on playing in the G League: ‘The travel is nuts’

Curry detailed his experience playing two seasons in the G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors and Erie BayHawks.

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Players throughout the years have often said how different it is playing in the G League compared to being in the NBA. Of course, the salaries are significantly different and the travel accommodations are far superior in the NBA.

Teams often travel by bus from city to city and on those road trips where it is necessary to fly, players are taking commercial flights in standard seating versus being on private charter flights in the NBA. The hotel arrangements are also not quite five-star, either.

On a recent episode of the J.J Redick Podcast, Dallas Mavericks guard Seth Curry shared some of the details of playing in the G League when he was with the Santa Cruz Warriors and Erie BayHawks for the first two years of his career.

It was rough when I was there. I feel like they crafted it, in a sense, to where they don’t want you to get comfortable, it’s not like you’re there for an extended period of time. You go there and the travel is nuts. You’re getting on 5 a.m. flights playing some back-to-backs, commercial flights, bussing 6-7 hours at times. Playing in front of 100 fans or 1,000 fans maybe.

You just got to really love the game when you’re at that level. For me, I was having fun because I was playing 40 minutes a night, I had the ball in my hands the whole time. I was just figuring it out. Obviously, I wanted to get that shot at the NBA level.

Curry went undrafted out of Duke in 2013 and played the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons in the G League before receiving an opportunity to play with the Sacramento Kings the following year. In 81 games played between his two seasons in the G League, Curry averaged 21.9 points, 4.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds while he shot 42.5% from 3-point range.

Curry mentioned in the podcast that he knew once he received an opportunity to play with the Kings, he had to take advantage of it. He has since become a key contributor with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Mavericks this season, where is averaging 12.6 points per game.

Curry has the second-best 3-point percentage (.4432) in NBA history.

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