Orlando Magic's J.J. Redick Calls Coach K, Nets 20 Points in Victory

Maybe J.J. Redick should begin making it a tradition to call his former Duke coach before every game.

According to ESPN reports, Redick called Coach Mike Krzyzewski on Monday, Dec. 21, to tell him Happy Holidays but instead the former Blue Devil received advice from the greatest coach in the game.

And Redick soaked in every word, pouring in 20 points that evening en route to a big 104-99 Orlando Magic victory over the Utah Jazz.

Coach K, known primarily for inspiring his college hoops team, gave his former star guard a major boost of confidence.

And it obviously paid off.

“I’m not long; I’m not tall,” Redick told ESPN. “I got to kind of work.”

Even Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy was practically drooling over Redick’s dazzling play.

“On top of the confidence, the guy is just so focused and tough,” Van Gundy told ESPN. “He’s on top of everything. He’s a guy you can trust defensively, he plays with great energy offensively. He’s certainly, heck, I don’t know, I don’t think he’s the fastest guy we have in the sprint. But he runs harder and gets down the floor better than anyone we have.”

Now THAT sounds like the former Dukie I remember.

Carlos Boozer, on the losing end of the spectrum but also a former Blue Devil, also praised Redick after the game.

“For him, his confidence is growing like crazy,” Boozer told ESPN . “He knows what it takes now to finally play in this league and be effective.”

Draining threes and diving over whatever was in his way for loose balls, Redick sparked the Magic to a huge win on Monday night in Florida.

I’d expect to see more of the same from the former Blue Devil in the very near future.

As even Boozer admitted, Redick has learned to play in the NBA.

And personally, I’m ecstatic about it…

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]