The news seemingly just keeps getting worse for Orlando Magic rookie J.J. Redick. The former Duke star isn't playing this week as he continues to rehabilitate the herniated disc in his lower back. And on Tuesday, Redick revealed that the back injury he suffered more than a month ago will keep him from participating in the tryouts for Team USA later this month.
Redick was one of two college players -- Morrison is the other -- picked to try out for Team USA's entry into the World Championships. He was a longshot to make the roster with Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade expected to play most of the minutes at shooting guard. The NCAA's all-time leader in 3-pointers made (457), Redick was hoping to provide Team USA some much-needed shooting from the perimeter.
Redick said he has yet to inform Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, Team USA's head coach, of his decision to pull out of the workouts. Redick still plans to attend the training camp starting July 18 in Las Vegas, but he said sitting out is the smart thing to do.
"I'm going out there, but I just can't play in it right now,'' Redick said. "It's just a matter of how much stronger I can get my back now. The MRI I had [last Thursday] showed that the herniation is getting smaller. I'll have another MRI to check the progress, but I'm not feeling any pain.''
• Marcin Gortat is making a strong push to make the Orlando Magic's roster, delivering a second strong performance Tuesday. But despite the Magic's need for another big body alongside of Dwight Howard and Darko Milicic, the Magic are expected to keep the 6-foot-11, 240-pounder in Germany for another season.
Gortat tipped in the game-winner with 17.7 seconds left, helping the Magic (1-1) defeat the Indiana Pacers (0-2) 80-79. Gortat, a native of Poland and a 2005 second-round pick of the Magic, had 15 points and eight rebounds a night after scoring 15 points, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking three shots on Monday.
Gortat just started playing basketball four years ago, leaving behind his burgeoning career as a soccer goalie. The Magic would prefer that he return to his professional team in Germany and work on his game and body before possibly returning a year from now. "You can see that he's still very rough, but he's athletic, runs the floor and blocks shots,'' Magic coach Brian Hill said. "I really think another year in Europe will do him good. But there's no doubt he's a young player who has a future in this league.''