From: officialflagrant
JJ Redick’s journey to the NBA Finals culminated in an unforgettable experience playing against the Los Angeles Lakers and guarding Kobe Bryant in the 2009 series [01:25:00]. Despite the loss, guarding Bryant stood out as a high point in Redick’s career [01:27:17].
Journey to the Finals
In his third year with the Orlando Magic, Redick was still on his rookie contract when the team made it to the 2009 NBA Finals [01:57:51]. He had started seven straight playoff games leading up to the Conference Championship against Cleveland [01:26:10]. Although he played nine minutes in Game 2, scoring seven points, he saw limited action in other games of that series [01:26:19].
Guarding Kobe Bryant
Entering the Finals against the Lakers, Redick did not play in Game 1 [01:26:26]. However, in a blowout, he was put in at the end of the game while the Lakers’ starters, including Kobe Bryant, were still on the court [01:26:33]. Redick hit a three-pointer and managed to get two stops against Bryant in the late fourth quarter [01:26:45]. He then played in Game 2, but the Magic lost, going down 0-2 in the series [01:26:57]. His playing time remained inconsistent, with significant minutes in Game 4 but not Game 3 or 5 [01:27:00].
Redick considers Bryant the “greatest player he ever had to guard” [01:27:47], alongside LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant [01:27:51].
Kobe’s Work Ethic
Redick shared two stories demonstrating Kobe Bryant’s legendary work ethic:
- During a 12-day USA Basketball training camp in 2007, Redick’s coach, Coach Dawkins, appeared exhausted because Kobe had him in the gym at 6:00 a.m. for three hours, working on complex counter moves until he made 10 shots in a row [01:28:48]. Redick stated, “all those stories about Kobe being a psycho work, they’re all true” [01:29:21].
- At the end of the first practice, Kobe invited Redick to shoot with him [01:29:26]. After about 15 minutes, Redick realized Kobe wasn’t being friendly, but was intensely observing his shooting form, how he caught the ball, and his footwork, constantly trying to learn [01:29:41].
Redick noted that all the stories about Kobe being a “psycho” regarding his work ethic are true [01:29:21].
Impact of the Finals Experience
Despite the loss, which “hurt so bad” as it was the closest he ever got to an NBA championship [01:27:09], guarding Kobe Bryant in the NBA Finals was the “high point” of his career [01:27:17]. He keeps multiple pictures saved of himself and Kobe from those games, acknowledging it as a story he will tell his grandchildren [01:27:26].