<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Van Gundy wants to see some defense The Hills' Orlando exodus gives J.J. Redick a shot to prove himself after last season's disappointment. Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer July 9, 2007 J.J. Redick may have earned his reputation as a shooter -- one of the finest in college basketball history -- but that's not what new Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy wants to see this week. He wants to see if Redick can defend. For the Magic, that one topic might just become the single most important element of the 2007 Pepsi Pro Summer League that begins today at RDV Sportsplex. The Magic will be playing five games in the next five days, joining the Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets and Indiana Pacers, all using this one-week league for a closer, more detailed look at their younger players. Because of space limitations, the games are closed to the public, but three games each day can be seen on a live video webcast available at OrlandoMagic.com. "I've told J.J. I'm not interested in what his numbers are. If he averages 30 points, it won't change my opinion of him. Same if he averages four points and shoots 15 percent," Van Gundy said Sunday after practice. "I want to see him make progress as the week goes on in terms of his defensive mentality. I want to see how he responds to the challenge of defense." The Magic have a 15-man lineup that includes only Redick and forward James Augustine from last year's roster. Both will be going into their second season. Also on the Magic is center Marcin Gortat of Poland, a second-round draft pick from 2005 who has been playing in Europe. Power forward Milovan Rakovic, the Magic's 2007 second-round pick from Serbia, is unlikely to play after he sustained a hip injury Wednesday during a workout at RDV Sportsplex the day before regular practices began. The team, composed mostly of young free agents, has been practicing together since Thursday. Rakovic has participated only in the lighter, non-contact parts of the practices. "It's pretty simple for me. I want to watch the two guys we have [Redick and Augustine]. Obviously I want to get a look at Marcin because we have his rights. Those three are our priorities here, probably in that order," Van Gundy said. "Then you want to see if there is anyone else who might be able to help us." The Magic are one team that might be looking for significant help from different sources before next season. Guard/forward Grant Hill is expected to sign with the Phoenix Suns this week. And free-agent power forward/center Darko Milicic also is expected to be playing elsewhere next season. The Magic have committed most of their salary cap room to free agent Rashard Lewis of Seattle. A good showing from Gortat or Augustine this week, particularly with the Magic's need for at least one more front-court player, could lead to a roster spot in the fall. The search for talent won't be restricted to this league. Magic assistant general manager Dave Twardzik will be watching the Las Vegas Summer League. Other notables expected to play in the Summer League here this week include guard Raymond Felton and forward Adam Morrison from Charlotte, guard Thabo Sefolosha, center Martynas Andriuskevicius and forward Tyrus Thomas from Chicago, and guard Orien Greene (Miami). First-round draft picks include Daequan Cook (Miami, Ohio State) Sean Williams (New Jersey, Boston College) and Jared Dudley (Charlotte, Boston College). Joakim Noah (Chicago, Florida) is injured and won't play. There will be three games each day, with the first starting at 3 p.m. On Friday, the games will begin at 11 a.m. The rules also have been altered to include four, 10-minute quarters. The six-foul disqualification has been waived. The absence of Hill this season might provide Redick with a good opportunity for playing time if he can impress Van Gundy with his defense. Redick, the highly touted shooter from Duke, hardly played his rookie season under former coach Brian Hill. He missed summer camp last year and much of fall training camp because of injuries. "I already know he can help us offensively. I know he can put the ball in the basket and make plays,'' Van Gundy said. "I have great confidence in that. I just want to see how he does at the other end.''</div> Source: Orlando Sentinel
I hope his defense improves. I don't need him getting like 2-3stls per game but just to be able to keep up with his man.
You know...call me crazy but everytime i saw him play in magic games, he played solid defense. (but that mighta been cuz he barely played and was well rested. lol) Good to see SVG remembers how good Reddick is though.
