<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">J.J. Redick wouldn't leave the court Thursday. He worked out in the morning before the Billy Donovan news conference that was held on the basketball floor at the RDV Sportsplex. He worked out after the news conference, too. He even sat down and listened to its entirety. And he was smiling -- with good reason. No one may benefit more than Redick from the hiring of the former Florida coach. "That was a 'wow' hire," Redick said after his second workout of the day. "I don't think we could have gotten a better guy. It's an exciting time for everyone here. He's one of the best coaches in America." Redick was the only Magic player who attended the Donovan unveiling -- most everyone else was out of town -- but he wasn't the only one excited about the choice. Donovan, 42, is coming off back-to-back NCAA titles at Florida and is receiving the largest contract -- five years, $27.5 million -- ever for a rookie NBA coach. "I am really happy with the decision. It's a good fit for us," said center Dwight Howard, who was in Atlanta preparing to leave for China, where he is doing a promotional tour next week for his shoe company. "I've seen what he has done with the guys at Florida. Basketball is going to be fun again here." Howard, arguably the best young center in the league, is a big reason Donovan accepted the job. Already the Magic centerpiece, which wouldn't have changed under any coach, he gives Donovan a much-needed anchor. It's a player such as Redick who will be given a fresh start after a frustrating rookie season. Former coach Brian Hill essentially buried Redick on the bench last season, but Donovan is likely to use him in a more wide-open, free-wheeling offense. "He's a phenomenal shooter who can stretch defenses with his great range," Donovan said. "Why he didn't get that opportunity, I'm sure Brian [Hill] had good reasons. But obviously the guy adds an element that can change a game." When asked about the Magic roster Friday and what changes he would like to see, Donovan echoed the sentiments of General Manager Otis Smith, who has talked for weeks about adding another perimeter scorer. Smith and Donovan will be discussing roster moves next week, working toward reshaping a team that reached the playoffs for the first time in four seasons but finished with 40 wins. Howard is expected to sign an extension this summer. Center/forward Darko Milicic is a restricted free agent, but the Magic can keep him by matching any offer or using him in a sign-and-trade deal to land a perimeter scorer. The Magic also plan to add another frontcourt player. Veteran guard Grant Hill becomes a free agent this summer, and Donovan said he would like to see him return. Hill is contemplating retirement and has said he will listen to other offers. It's likely, though, that he will return in a limited role with the Magic. "Absolutely he still fits," Donovan said. "I'd love to talk with him about what he wants, whether its a major role or maybe a secondary role. It would be really intriguing to have him." Because of the salary-cap room available this summer, the Magic could return with much of their nucleus intact and still sign a free agent. Howard, Milicic and Trevor Ariza are 21. Redick is 22. Point guard Jameer Nelson is 25. "It's important to make roster decisions with the head coach in mind," Smith said. "We'll sit down next week and start kicking the tires a little bit. We'll go over the roster and see where we can improve it. But it doesn't do any good to add a type of player the coach isn't accustomed to coaching."</div> Source: Orlando Sentinel Sounds like Billy plans on using Redick a lot more than Hill did last season. Hopefully JJ gets some more significant minutes under him. Also, I found it interesting that we're trying to trade for another front court player. I'm guessing we're trying to land a backup big man since Bo Outlaw doesn't really cut it. Any guesses on who we're going to go after?
Here's his blog.... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks to everyone for responding to my last blog. Many of the suggestions were helpful and I will try to cover as many topics as possible over the coming weeks. I?m sure a lot of you are wondering what my reaction is to the coaching situation of the Orlando Magic. First of all, I have nothing but respect for Coach Brian Hill as a person and as a coach. He?s definitely old-school in his mindset and I really believe that he helped the Magic grow over the last two years. While it was tough for me to spend a lot of time on the bench during my rookie year, I can only be positive about my future in the NBA. I started to become more comfortable with the NBA game over the second half of the season and feel that, for the most part, I did a good job when I got the opportunity to play. One of the things I learned this year is that you have to make the most of whatever playing time you get. Moving forward, I am definitely motivated by the results of my rookie campaign. Sitting on the bench for much of the season only gives me more fuel to be a great player in the league. In the last few weeks, the Magic Front Office decided it was time for a change and ended up hiring Billy Donovan. I think it?s a great fit for our team. We have a lot of young guys and Coach Donovan is a guy who can help develop us. I can remember back in high school when I was being recruited, Coach Donovan came up to Roanoke, VA to watch me play in an open gym at my high school. I was supposed to attend Florida?s ?Midnight Madness? but I committed to Duke that week. Florida was definitely my second choice though. It?s safe to say things turned out okay for both parties. I had a great college experience at Duke and Florida won a couple National Championships. It?s interesting though how things come full circle. Now I actually get the chance to play for Coach Donovan and I?m definitely excited about it. The Magic are probably gonna make a run at some free agents this summer but all that is out of my control (and to all you Magic fans, I have no inside information. Trust me). As I?ve said before, I?m only focused on my own personal development this summer. It?s up to me to put in the work to become a better player. A lot of y?all have asked me to comment about the Duke lacrosse situation. I am friends with a couple of the seniors on this year?s team (Matt Danowski and Mike Ward) and am friends with a bunch of last year?s seniors. They?re all good kids and this year?s team represented Duke University very well. I was happy to see them have such an outstanding season and wish it could have ended with a National Championship. The false allegations were unfortunate for both sides and I?m sure everyone wishes it had never happened. Hopefully, everyone can move on and lead a normal life. Ok, well it?s Friday afternoon and I?m pretty tired from workouts this week so I?m going to go take a nap. Hope everyone has a great weekend. I?ll post something soon and hopefully I?ll get some new pictures up next week. Stay classy.</div> http://www.redicklive.com/athletestyle/wpm...dbacknew-coach/ The bold part is very interesting. I never knew that.
Yeah, Billy Donovan mentioned it during his press conference: "A lot of the guys on the team right now, there is some prior relationship. I did recruit Dwight (Howard) and got a chance to know him in high school. I recruited Keyon Dooling. Trevor Ariza's dad played at the University of Florida, and he visited Florida. Arroyo, I know him a little bit. J.J. Redick was another guy I recruited. I think you can probably tell I got a lot of credit for recruiting, but I probably didn't deserve a whole lot because none of those guys wanted to come to Florida."
<div class="quote_poster">Swish Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Source: Orlando Sentinel Sounds like Billy plans on using Redick a lot more than Hill did last season. Hopefully JJ gets some more significant minutes under him. Also, I found it interesting that we're trying to trade for another front court player. I'm guessing we're trying to land a backup big man since Bo Outlaw doesn't really cut it. Any guesses on who we're going to go after?</div> Joe Smith, Chris Mihm, Jamaal Magloire, Corliss Williamson, Danny Fortson, Melvin Ely are free Agents I wouldn't mind signing
J.J. Redick will probably play a role in the offense like Lee Humphrey did at Florida. I expect Orlando to try to make a move to land Taureen Green since they need a backup PG.
<div class="quote_poster">J_Ray Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">J.J. Redick will probably play a role in the offense like Lee Humphrey did at Florida. I expect Orlando to try to make a move to land Taureen Green since they need a backup PG.</div> we only need a backup pg if we ship a coulpe out first and we don't sign Steve Blake as of now our problem is that we have a log jam at that spot.
<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He said that he wants to start Redick next year. Gonna be an interesting move if it happens.</div> We better be getting a legit PG that can play D then and play Ariza or a defensive minded SF alongside him as well.
Yeah, I don't like Jameer's D by any means and Ariza should get more minutes if Redick is going to. Redick's liability on defense is pretty big.
On defense Redick is a bigger liability than Jameer. Give him a chance, we've all seen him play well. Last year he sucked, even I'll admit that, but lets see what he does as a spark off the bench or as a starter in a less Ridged system.
<div class="quote_poster">TheGreatK-Bob Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">On defense Redick is a bigger liability than Jameer. Give him a chance, we've all seen him play well. Last year he sucked, even I'll admit that, but lets see what he does as a spark off the bench or as a starter in a less Ridged system.</div> Honestly I think Jameer is the bigger liability because Jameer basically has to guard the PG, he can't guard any wings, while JJ always gets to guard the worst wing. Most teams don't have 2 very good scoring wings, so it makes JJ's job a little bit easier. Both defense suck and I think we all should agree that Jameer/JJ shouldn't ever start together.
