Orlando's Redick has strong bond with Collins family

ORLANDO - It's hard to turn around at any NBA gathering without running into someone whose basketball life hasn't been touched in some way by 76ers coach Doug Collins.

Orlando Magic swingman J.J. Redick is high upon that list.

Redick was recruited out of Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, Va., by Chris Collins, Doug's son, an assistant coach at Duke. Redick went on to become the all-time leading scorer at the school and in the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference during his 4 years, and established himself as archenemy No. 1 to just about every college basketball fan not associated with the Blue Devils.

"He was one of Chris' first big recruits," Collins said. "He and Chris developed a bond that was almost like big brother, little brother. I watched that kid work himself into being the player he is today. I've never been around a player who probably carried the burden of the team on the road in college more than he did. Every single night, he wore the black hat into every ACC city or wherever they played. He was booed incessantly, and the guy just worked and worked, and that's exactly what he's done here in Orlando. He didn't play much the first couple of years, but he's worked himself into being a big part of [coach Stan Van Gundy's] team.

"I remember talking to Stan when I was covering their playoff games [for TNT] and him saying the reason J.J. wasn't playing wasn't because of his defense, it was because he wasn't shooting the ball as well. Now, he plays off the dribble, he makes plays. I think he won the Iron Man competition for the best-conditioned athlete that Orlando has when they start camp. I have the greatest of admiration for him. He's a self-made player who has worked and worked and worked."

The admiration is mutual.

"I've known Doug as long as I've known Chris," said Redick, averaging 10.3 points for the Magic this season. "Chris was one of the groomsmen at my wedding this summer. I have a great relationship with Doug. He's a guy that I've known for a long time and I've loved getting to know. He's a great man."

Further proof that Collins might just be the perfect fit for this young Sixers team to grow with.

Hard to believe, but it has been 7 years since Jameer Nelson was working his magic on Hawk Hill, leading Saint Joseph's to an Elite Eight appearance while garnering college player of the year honors.

Now, as his Orlando Magic tries to make that push to another Eastern Conference finals and grab that long-awaited championship, Nelson, along with All-Star center Dwight Howard, has become the part of the team's foundation.

Already considered one of the elite teams in the East, Orlando shook up its roster in mid-December, acquiring Hedo Turkoglu, Gilbert Arenas and Jason Richardson. Orlando went into last night's game against the Sixers with a 10-5 record since the trade, as the players continue to try to figure one another out.

"We feel like we're the leaders, because we've been here the longest," said Nelson, who is in his sixth season with the Magic, and Howard, in his seventh season with the team. "Whether we like it or not, it's on us. We have to do things, especially for the guys coming in still learning about us. We have to set the tone."

For the season, Nelson is averaging 12.9 points and 6.7 assists, the highest of his career. He is also hitting a respectable 41 percent from three-point range.

"Jameer Nelson, who is very, very unselfish out on the floor, and Dwight Howard, who is the best shot-blocker and rebounder in the game," Doug Collins said. "If you've got that point guard and you've got that anchor you can move the pieces, and that's what they've done. I'm sure right now that they're hoping these last 41 games they can get themselves in the best position to be in the playoff run and then go after it."

Sixers forward Andres Nocioni missed his second straight game last night, still nursing a fractured middle finger on his right hand. He is listed as day-to-day, but it would be surprising if the Sixers activate him for tonight's game in Charlotte. Look for him to return when the Sixers host Utah on Saturday, at the earliest. *