Clippers SG J.J. Redick to miss about 10 days with thigh injury
By Brad Rowland
Just hours after Clippers forward Blake Griffin injured himself on a dunk attempt, the team announced a lower-profile injury, but one that could affect things in just as significant of a way.
J.J. Redick was one of the two big acquisitions in the off-season for LA (along with Jared Dudley), and it seems a bit “off” to consider him missing approximately 10 days with what is being reported as simply a “bruised thigh”. His return, if it stays on this timetable, would be well before the start of the regular season, but it’s certainly a slight hang-up as he prepares for a new system with Chris Paul and company.
Last season, Redick excelled during 50 games in Orlando (15.1 points per game, 39% from 3-point distance), but his production fell off a cliff (12.3 points per game, 31.8% from 3) once he was dealt to Milwaukee. There is a groundswell surrounding Redick as a “system” player, and while I disagree with that assessment, we won’t be able to accurately evaluate him in LA without more exposure.
If Redick were forced to miss any serious time, the Clippers do have Jamal Crawford and the ageless Willie Green on the roster, but they are much, much better off with the former Duke star in the lineup.