Listening to the announcement, it’s pretty clear as to why he really hung it up. The only part he really got emotional on was when he was talking about his little kids. Time to be a full time dad. There is nothing like it!
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Listening to the announcement, it’s pretty clear as to why he really hung it up. The only part he really got emotional on was when he was talking about his little kids. Time to be a full time dad. There is nothing like it!
I read an article a few weeks ago where JJ said that he wasn't going to play a full season this year anyway. He wanted to see how things played out and start in March. I wonder if that is still a possibility? If the Nets are winning the East and come calling, does JJ take the call?
Either way, congrats on a wonderful career.
This was my thought too, but given the nature of this announcement, I don't know why he would make it and then reverse course and sign with a team. Signing with the Nets in Dec/Jan/Feb seemed to be the plan for two months. Either every team drivable from NYC told him unequivocally that they would not want his services, or he just decided he, physically or emotionally or both, couldn't or didn't want to do it.
Sad to see my all time favorite hang them up. Losing him and K in the same year is tough as a fan.
The level of conditioning that he got to is, frankly, insane. Elite in terms of moving off-ball to get an open shot. The only other guy I see run off as many screens and have defenders chasing him all over the court is Steph Curry. (Obviously, Curry is a much different player, but this part of their game is similar.)
On a related note, I’ll be going to a live taping of JJ’s podcast tomorrow night in Brooklyn, so I’ll give him DBR’s best.
Happy for JJ to have such a great career. Sad to not get to watch him play, although we really didn't get to see him play much last year and when we did, it was obvious that he wasn't right. He's one of my favorites, both at Duke and the NBA. I don't really follow an NBA team much anymore, I mostly follow Duke players and he was one of my favorites to follow.
Oh and I'm still pissed that LSU was allowed to grab, hold, bump, push JJ into an NCAA tournament loss.
I was at that game...https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId=230750150
Duke was down by 15 midway thru the second half, JJ scored 23 points in the final 10:05...one of the most fun ACC Tourney games I ever saw.
Hats off to JJ for a great ride! Hard to believe, I started visiting DBR and following Duke recruiting around the time JJ committed to Duke. And that feels like ages and ages ago. What a great, long career from the guy they said couldn’t defend or create his own shot well enough to stick in the league.
My favorite JJ memories are obscure
First is him completely upstaging Carmelo and winning the McDAA game MVP after catching absolute fire in the second half of that game. What a performance that was!
Second: I can remember being at Duke BB camp when a shaggy-haired JJ moved in to Duke as a freshman. This is back when the team had open run in the evening that was open to campers. I remember watching one pickup game, turning my head for a moment, then hearing a collective “Oooooh” as a JJ three splashed the net. As the action headed to the opposite side of the court, multiple campers ran out to the half court circle and started pointing at the ground. “What are they doing?!” I thought, which quickly morphed into “oh ****, he just hit a shot from basically half court!!” Been in awe of JJ ever since.
Besides his competitive spirit (second only to Laettner?) and his determination, the thing I admire most about him is his ability to self-reflect, with a goal of self-improvement. He listened to the detractors who said he was obnoxious and cocky, realized they were right, and set about to refashion himself. Many doubted him as an NBA player, and he struggled at first, until he again listened to what his knowledgeable critics said and re-adjusted.
This bodes well for his happiness well beyond basketball.
Thank you JJ for four wonderful years, being the object of scorn and persevering. Don't be a stranger!
JJ was a fantastic player, for sure.
How does one earn a Bachelor of Science in History degree from Duke?
https://trinity.duke.edu/undergraduate/majors-minors
I'll always love you JJ! Come see us in Cameron this year!
It’s at The Bell House in Brooklyn. Tickets sold out on Eventbrite pretty fast—I only got one because a friend snagged an extra. Your son might be able to scope out the secondary market for any extras, or they might be selling at the door.
Bobby Hurley was my favorite Duke player personally.
JJ Redick was my son’s favorite.
JJ “retiring” makes me feel old. Hope he enjoys himself and his family.