Cs to draft J.J. Redick?

[Thomas Murphy]

Some quotes from Chad Fraud on J.J. Redick (obtained from RealGM board): 

 

Quote: 

>>The early word back from workouts in places like Houston, Utah and Boston has been surprisingly positive. 

 

Sources with all three teams have said the same thing to me. Redick is better than they thought he would be. <<

 

 

Quote: 

>>"I'm actually not a huge believer in individual workouts," one NBA executive said. "However, I think we learned a lot about that kid and it was all good..." 

 

How good? Good enough that Redick appears to be in the conversation with the Celtics at No. 7 and in serious consideration by the Rockets at No. 8.  <<

 

Now when I first read this I thought it must be another smokescreen that Ainge is putting up to push someone down to #7. But then I got to thinking: 

 

a) Neither Ainge nor Doc were pure points, both were combo guards with PG responsibilities and so far have seemed to favor the same for the Cs

b) both Ainge and Doc are 6-5 and also seem to favor similarly sized guards in the backcourt

c) Ainge was a gunner and one of his stated emphases has been to stock the Cs with guys who can shoot the ball

d) IIRC both Ainge and Doc have talked about getting someone who can 'drive and dish' 

e) Ainge has mentioned PG as a priority now, rather than down the road

f) I've read that Ainge has said he thought his guy might be available at 10-12

 

How does this all fit with J.J. Redick?

 

a) Redick is a SG but given his size and average athleticism is very likely going to have to be a combo guard in the NBA 

b) Redick has the size that Doc and Ainge seem to view as highly desirable in a PG (6-4)

c) Redick is nothing if not the ultimate gunner 

d) Redick can drive and dish (it may be his only PG-like ability): "His ball-handling has improved enough he can make his way to the basket effectively without much trouble, either to finish himself with a nifty layup off the glass or find the open man on the dish and drive if the paint is too crowded for his liking." http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=16 

e) Redick, a college senior coached by Krzyzewski in arguably the toughest conference in the NCAA, is as ready as anyone to step in and contribute 

f) Redick's name has not been too high on the charts: he'll be there at #7 and it would not be unlikely to last till 10-12. 

 

So, the more I thought it through, the more it seems to me that Redick may well be the one Ainge and Doc have already tabbed as the guy they want. 

 

I am ambivalent: I am one who thinks the Cs would really improve with a true PG at the helm, and barring that could use more help in the interior. Getting another gunner does not seem to me to be a high priority - particularly if he is another combo-guard. 

 

On the other hand, I can see why Ainge and Doc may be leaning this way (although I disagree with it): 

1) It is always good to have not only another shooter but another scorer (and by all accounts Redick is both - including averaging eight FTs a game). 

2) Management also seems to be of the belief that more scoring from deeper on the floor will spread the offense and lead to easier baskets (I think better passing/orchestration would accomplish this more effectively) and Redick fits into that school of thought. 

3) Also I can see where they would envision Redick eventually becoming the second or possibly the first option on offense: 1b to Pierce's 1a. 

4) Redick would also be able to push Delonte soon after joining the team and Ainge is a stated believer in people having to work to keep their place in the line-up. 

5) Finally, Redick is a guaranteed go-to option down the end of games. Apparently one of the things he is showing in the workouts is an ability to create his own shot - a big knock on him in the minds of many - (or at the very least to 'drive and dish') and closing out games was our Achilles heel all last year. He can shoot it from 28 feet out, he can drive and dish and he is automatic at the line - and he is likely better at all three right now than Paul Pierce (although it hurts me to say it).

 

So it seems to me that for these reasons, plus the one mentioned above, that Ainge and Doc at this point have figured Redick as the guy they want. Thinking may change of course, but given the clues we've been given and the way Ainge and Doc have approached designing the team, I think this is a good a guess as one can make at this point.