New Orleans Pelicans: 3 players who have stepped up in the bubble
3. J.J. Redick
J.J. Redick is such an important player for this Pelicans side. His veteran leadership is a big part of this equation on such a young team. With Redick, the obvious quality that stands out is his exceptional 3-point shooting ability – 45.2 percent on the season – which has carried on into the bubble where he is currently 13-from-29 from beyond the arc.
This instant offense off of the bench has remained pivotal to the Pelicans’ gameplan and has helped keep them competitive on many occasions. The lowest points total Redick has had in Orlando so far is 15, and this type of consistent scoring, especially off the bench, is integral for any team in the NBA.
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Redick’s vision has been an aspect of his game which has stood out down in Orlando, as he’s shown that he offers a lot more than 3-point scoring to a team. His defensive game has been solid on occasions, also, with big shoes to fill in the likes of Jrue Holiday, whilst coming off the bench.
The Pelicans have four winnable games, with two of them coming against the Kings and San Antonio Spurs – who are also vying for a spot in the play-in game. So, these are going to be tough games, and Redick’s leadership with that second unit will be as important as ever. He’s a chemistry guy whose value is incredibly high. His efficient scoring will remain as integral as will his presence over the next four games.