LA Clippers player grades for first 30 games of 2016-17 NBA season

Dec 14, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and teammates get pumped up before the game against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and teammates get pumped up before the game against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 16, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) reacts after a three point basket in the second half of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. Grizzlies won 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) reacts after a three point basket in the second half of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. Grizzlies won 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

J.J. Redick: A

J.J. Redick has been red-hot this season. Who’d have thought it?

Everyone did after his career year last season, although whether he could come close to replicating such shooting (a league-best 47.5 percent from three, for instance) was the question that had to be asked. However, for someone who’s skill set is deadly shooting with the highly conditioned body to keep running around screens non stop, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Redick has been terrific this season.

Right now, Redick is averaging 15.3 points on 46.6 percent shooting with a 45.1 percent stroke from three, including 2.6 makes a night. He’s the perfect shooting guard for the Clippers’ pick-and-roll heavy offense revolving around Paul and Griffin, always darting in and out of screens, trailing in transition, burying jumpers from high hand-offs with Griffin, or catching and shooting whenever possible, either with his feet set or while turning mid release. Redick is the best shooter outside of Golden State, and there’s not much reason to delve further into why that gives him a good grade.

He makes the most of his limited physical tools on defense by always running hard, sticking to his man, and being in the right spots as a reliable team defender. He can pass better than he gets credit for as well, always moving the ball well if he doesn’t have space or even running the odd pick-and-roll play in the rare instance that one of the team’s superstars isn’t doing so.

Redick opens up space for the entire offense and simply makes the LA Clippers’ click. With Griffin out, we’ll see even more from him J.J.  he as helps pick up the loss of scoring.