J.J. Redick: Wise
There are plenty of other ways to describe J.J. Redick, an NBA veteran entering his 15th season in the league after a famous four-year career at Duke University. He’s an absolute sniper, with six seasons shooting above 40 percent including four of the last five despite shooting more than 5.5 shots per game from beyond the arc. He’s also thoughtful, with a Podcast on The Ringer network that airs throughout the season.
What Redick will bring to this team beyond those skills is hard-earned wisdom. He’s played on multiple teams with legitimate title aspirations, and under a variety of leadership styles. He’s played on a team where Dwight Howard was the best player, and one where Chris Paul held that title. He’s played in both conferences, with and against big stars.
Redick knows what it takes to be a legitimate part of a team and how to be a team player. If the young guys listen, the Pelicans can be a good team for a long time.
Kenrich Williams: Tenacious
Any active fan of the New Orleans Pelicans already knows all about Kenny Hustle. Williams is exactly the kind of guy you want on a team like this; his best asset is his motor, and he grinds non-stop, every play, every moment. He’s the type of guy that opponents hate to see check into a game, because they know he’ll take advantage of every opportunity he’s given, every momentary lapse of concentration.
As he’s continued to improve and refine his skills, he’ll still find his way onto a court every time because of the way he works when he’s there.