Rowan Kavner
CLEVELAND – J.J. Redick knew if he ever got the call, he’d be on his way.
The Clippers’ sharpshooting guard said he’s always wanted to participate in the NBA’s 3-point contest during All-Star weekend, and he’ll get his wish this year.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been in the conversation, but I’m just excited and honored to be a part of All-Star weekend,” Redick said.
Redick thought there was a chance during his best shooting year in Orlando when he would get in, but that invite instead went to Ryan Anderson. Now Redick, currently in the midst of his most accurate 3-point shooting season of his career, will get his wish this year.
The Clippers’ starting shooting guard is third among all guards in effective field goal percentage, which weighs in 3-point shots, behind only the Hawks’ Kyle Korver and the Warriors’ Stephen Curry. Both of them will be joining Redick in the 3-point contest.
Redick’s top 10 in the league in both 3-point percentage (43.2) and 3-pointers made (114). Those 114 3-pointers made mark the most ever through this point in a season in Clippers’ history.
Redick said he was going to go to New York regardless with his wife, whose sister lives there. Now, he’s got a different reason for the visit.
“Some years I’ve made plans for All-Star weekend like way in advance,” Redick said. “But my wife and I have talked about it for the last six years; if I ever get invited, I would say yes for sure.”
It’s been a while since the last time Redick took part in a 3-point contest; the end of high school, to be exact. That was for the McDonald’s All-American Game.
How did he do there?
“Champion,” Redick quipped. “Which was also in New York, I’m just saying.”
The one thing Redick remembered from that experience was how fast the minute goes by. He said it can get tiring, but the field he’s playing with should push him this year.
Redick’s heard the names that’ll join him in New York, which will include Korver, Golden State’s Curry and Klay Thompson, Portland’s Wesley Matthews, Houston’s James Harden, San Antonio’s Marco Belinelli and one of the Clippers’ opponents tonight, Kyrie Irving.
Redick said he’s watched before and seen non-shooters win the competition. He knows that won’t be the case this year.
“I think the NBA put together a great field this year,” he said. “Hopefully everybody does well and shoots well and it’s a show.”