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J.J. Redick came back for another year in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey, not knowing the role of mentor would be bestowed upon him right away. Yet the 34-year-old Sixers shooting guard isn't shying away from his natural obligations with a youth-infused roster.
“I've always looked at leadership, mentorship, as something that requires a certain amount of diligence on both sides,” said Redick, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “It requires an organic process rather than just assigning roles to people.”
Teammate T.J. McConnell, who has endeared himself to the rest of the roster for his hard-nosed play, noted Redick had little choice in the matter.
“Whether he likes to believe it or not, it's just his personality; guys flock to him because the type of person he is and the type of player he is and his work ethic,” said McConnell. “For him to say that he wasn't going to come in and be a mentor early on is just crazy.”
Redick has the necessary chops to be Philly's leader, once a highly touted college prospect who had to carve his niche in the NBA — something he's bound to have in common with many of the Sixers' young players.
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There is talent aplenty in Philadelphia, but it is Redick who can help the young ones harness it and combine it with work ethic — something that has proven to be the ultimate formula for success in the league for several decades.
While Redick is still an able player, coming off a career-best season, this is simply passing it forward, as reserve Keyon Dooling once did during his time with the Orlando Magic early in his career.
“Whether he knows it or not, Keyon had a big impact on me and provided encouragement for me when things were looking grim,” Redick said. “I remember my spirits being lifted by just simple words. You don't know the impact you can have on someone. Elton [Brand] and Keyon didn't realize it probably, so hopefully, I'm doing something right and I'm not even realizing it and I'm having an impact on someone.”
The Sixers have assembled the right pieces to put them in a position to contend, aligning superstar talent with veteran knowhow and true leadership, a combination that can take them far this season.
