Former Duke Star JJ Redick Finally Stepping Up for the Orlando Magic...

...and it's about time! JJ Redick has contributed double digit outings in three out of the past four games and there is certainly more to come. At Duke JJ was a big time star with big time swagger. You could hear people talk about how cocky the he was and why wouldn't he be? Hell, he won almost every collegiate award possible. But then once it came to the NBA he could barely make it off of the bench. I have even been to games where the crowd would chant his name during garbage time and the coaches would still be reluctant to put him in (DAMN YOU BRIAN HILL!!). Then the times when his number was actually called he looked like a frightened little kid who was too scared to miss a shot or make a turnover. It seemed as though he was thinking too much and had lost the confidence that made him the player we all were anticipating. But that was then and this is now. JJ has the full support of coach Stan Van Gundy and is finally playing with type of swagger he did at Duke. Where he once thought about whether or not taking a shot he is now launching it without hesitation. But that is one thing because anyone who knows a lick about basketball knew he could shoot. But this is the new JJ Redick that (yes I'm going to say it) CAN PLAY DEFENSE. Over the summer Redick bulked up and is looking stronger and faster then ever. It's easy to tell that he is trying to shed that shadow of being a bad defender off of his name. The stats don't tell the whole story, but in the past few games he has been taking charges and diving on the floor for loose balls. Now with sixth man Keith Bogans out with a broken thumb for the next four to six weeks Redick will finally get the chance to showcase the skills that he was so highly coveted for coming out of college. This is his chance to shine and if we know anything about JJ he will take full advantage of it.