re: JJ Redick “mentoring” NAW

Yes he commended NAW. Pretty clear he’s still throwing shade though

It really seems like he's not even talking about anyone on the current team, he just said that about the league as a whole.

This team as constructed is filled with hard working guys, there's quite a few he's been on before that wasn't

Love NAW, but I hesitate at the thought of primary ball handler.

To suggest that JJ cannot be a great mentor or otherwise is asinine. Mentoring is not just helping a player to develop their skills. Mentoring, as others have stated, is assisting in developing anything on or off the court which allows a young player to be a better professional.

With that, I would expect JJ's mentoring is not only helping a player perfect a consistent jumper, which he would be more qualified to teach than 97% of league (including coaches), but also how to read and react to screens, defenses and how to operate within an offense when a defense gameplans and targets you in an effort to limit your strengths.

Also, mentoring is teaching good practice habits, routines, eating regiment, and probably MOST IMPORTANTLY, how to MENTALLY approach the game.

This fact, is where I believe NAW and the other young players will benefit the most. JJ has a certain makeup that he has developed over the course of his career that wasnt there in college.

Im a Dukie, since 89... In college JJ would get flustered and frustrated once he realized a defender could keep up with him running around multiple screens all over the court. Also, he didnt even bother to play real defense in college bc I assumed he thought he couldnt guard better players and that wasnt his role on a team. Plus, he would press more when his shot wasnt falling early.

Now, JJ has a tougher mentality in all respects. He fights thru his shooting woes, his confidence has evolved into KNOWING that there is no defense that can limit his shooting prowess.. He plays tough defense to the best of his abilities and has success more often than not. He has worked on his game to become more than just a shooter. Hell JJ tries to get rebounds when he can. His mentality now is far different than when in college. I used to view him as someone who thought of himself as an arrogant elitist who thought he should be a star bc of his exceptional shooting. Now, I see a tough minded veteran who has worked to be more of an team player and does what he can towards team success and not worried about being "seen" as the reason for a team's success.

Such a mental transformation is what JJ can teach young players. Most all of these players were the go to "star" on their teams prior to the NBA. Developing a positive mentality to be a "role player" takes time and is hard for some players to accept (i.e. Dion Waiters). JJ will help in that regard by leading by example. JJ knows the team success is incumbent upon Zion being the star and everyone else falls in line. Helping NAW or anyone else realize that fact and overcoming adversity when times are difficult is his greatest asset to the team besides knocking down shots...