April 21, 2012; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Orlando Magic shooting guard J.J. Redick (7) during introductions prior to a game against the Utah Jazz at Energy Solutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
J.J. Redick is an underrated player.
Most look at him as “just a shooter”. Well he isn’t that. Just a shooter would be the player who just stands at the three-point line and wait for a pass from a superstar. None of that sums up what Redick on a nightly basis.
Unlike those type of players, Redick gets shots in all type of ways whether it be off a cut, screen, spot-up, etc. That’s what make him unique. Look at his shot splits (via Synergy) from last season as he spent time with the Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks:
| Isolation | P&R Ball Handler | Spot-Up | Off Screen | Hand Off | Cut | Transition | |
| Orlando | 3.0% | 14.8% | 17.9% | 30.1% | 9.9% | 6.8% | 12.5% |
| Milwaukee | 6.2% | 11.4% | 24.4% | 30.3% | 3.9% | 2.8% | 16.3% |
If you needed proof of how versatile a shooter Redick was last season there it is. While his three-point shooting is sure to be what teams key in on his mid-range shooting is very important. Last season via NBA Stats, Redick shot 47 percent from 16-24 feet. The Clippers last season? 39.2 percent. Here’s a shot chart to visual the percentages:
It’s a hearty addition to a team that had the 15th best percentage from 16-24 feet. And please believe that the Clips coaching staff will utilize Redick’s shot-making abilities. Here’s an example of Redick hitting the long two (or 3) coming off a screen:
Considering Redick will be around the best collective of talent his strengths will stick out more. The top-4 assist-givers to Redick last season were Jameer Nelson, Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis and Arron Afflalo, none who are elite playmakers on offense. For a full 82 games, health permitting, Redick will be getting the bulk of his passes from the best point guard in the world in Chris Paul.
An interesting theory someone came across when theorizing why Redick agreed to go to the Clippers is that he could do for the the Clippers what Ray Allen did for the Boston Celtics. The common denominator in that equation? Head coach Doc Rivers. During Allen’s last season under Rivers, 55.3 percent of his offense came off-screens and spot-up situations. Why? Well because he was the fourth option on offense behind Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, a situation that Redick will face this year. Instead of forcing Allen to be a playmaker Rivers used his strengths to get him in situations like these:
That’s just one of the many ways Doc Rivers used Allen. It’s the reason Allen wanted to move to the Miami Heat (besides the trade rumors). He was the designated shooter when he thought he could do more. Redick’s used to the role, so there won’t be much problem there. But there’s a difference Redick and 2011-12 Ray Allen. While Allen is the superior shooter, Redick was much better from the 16-24 foot range.
Something important that I noticed when watching Allen play is how quickly Rivers got the shot off. In the gif above Ray gets going with 20 seconds on the shot clock and gets the shot off at 15 seconds. Redick will be the first option a lot this year, opening the floor up for everyone else. A curl off a screen here forced Pau Gasol to step up just enough for KG to get the open dunk:
The threat of Allen’s shooting forced Gasol to step up on him after the catch. This means open looks for Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and the other bigs on the roster. Considering neither of the starting bigs are knockdown shooters this will help them be more effective on offense. Here’s another example of Allen’s presence getting Garnett a wide open layup.
Considering the Clippers were a top offense last season it’s safe to say that Redick may be in for a career year this season. J.J. fits perfectly amongst the stars and will be the pet of a head coach who has dealt with a player like this before. He’ll easily prove why he was one of the top ranked acquisitions from the offseason.