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ORLANDO -- It’s one of the principle tenants of the game: movement away from the basketball.
Yet, coaches at every level have problems with players consistently executing it.
It’s an area of game where only individuals with high motors, above average IQs and an intense competitive desire can excel.
For players like J.J. Redick, it’s where they make their mark.
He’s not the tallest, quickest or most physically gifted player on the court, but he consistently gets open shots through constant movement and by making quick decisions with the basketball.
The infamous shooting guard from Duke put his skill set on full display Monday, using screens, motion away from the ball and decisive action to efficiently rack up 20 points against Houston in Orlando’s 104-95 home victory.
“I just think he plays with really good energy and he’s always moving; that’s always hard to guard,” Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy said.
Just ask Houston. Throughout the night it had a difficult time keeping up with Orlando’s backup shooting guard as he went 8-for-12 from the field.
“When he’s making quick decisions – catch and shoot, catch and put it on the floor – he’s hard to guard,” Van Gundy added. “We need more of that with all of our guys, and hopefully we will as we go.”
Overall, the Magic did a better job of that as a whole than they did on Sunday against Oklahoma City.
Both small forward Hedo Turkoglu and backup point guard Chris Duhon made quicker decisions and were more aggressive attacking the rack.
“That was something we talked about before the game,” Redick explained. “Cutting harder, screening better, making a play, if not a play to move the ball and let somebody else make a play.”
It’s a Redick staple. And hopefully, it’s soon a Magic one.
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