Q: Why is J.J. Redick getting so little playing time with the Magic?
— Toris

A: Because  he can’t defend. It was the issue with Redick coming into the NBA and why so many teams were surprised he was picked so high. He’s small for a shooting guard as well, and it compromises the defense to allow him to defend point guards, who are too fast for him anyway. With Jameer Nelson at point guard, the backcourt would be way too small and slow. Plus, Stan Van Gundy is a defense-first coach and I don’t see much future for Redick in Orlando.

Q: Is it feasible to assume the Knicks won’t field a competitive team for at least 10 years?
— Jay, East Brunswick, N.J.

A: Nah, though two of my media friends bet in 1998 whether the Bulls would make the conference finals by 2008. Doesn’t look good for the guy who supported the Bulls. We assume there will be major changes well before then in coaching and management and the chance to hit big in the lottery. Anything is possible.

Q: Why was Ruben Patterson so abruptly released by his team?
— Jimmy Ragland, Bloomfield, Conn.

A: Because he’s Ruben Patterson. Patterson is one of those players who doesn’t suffer fools (aka, most coaches, in his mind) very well. The Clippers were desperate this season with Elton Brand out and took a chance, but I’m guessing that Mike Dunleavy had enough of Patterson considering him somewhat lower than dirt.

Q: Why hasn’t David Stern spoken for Seattle instead of against it as far as the Sonics are concerned? Has anyone checked his bank balance for unusual deposits over the last few months?
— John Martin

A: Stern is mad at the state. He likes to be treated well, and the state legislature pretty much mocked him when he went to lobby for a new arena. Seattle doesn’t have many friends now at NBA headquarters. Plus, the owners don’t care that much whether the Sonics stay or go. There’s no sharing of gate receipts in the NBA, so owners don’t care that much how other teams do. Plus, they share in a hefty relocation fee if the Sonics move and then get an even heftier expansion fee if the league decides to return to Seattle someday. It’s just business.

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