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All-Star Weekend 2004

Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Michael Redd always showed he was talented, but this season he got more minutes and responsibility, and took his game to another level. This is his first year as an NBA all-star. A few days before the all-star game, Redd spoke with various media members about his team and the big weekend in Los Angeles.

Q: Did you ever think you’d be an All-Star so soon after being a second-round pick?

Redd: No, I didn’t to be honest with you. I didn’t expect it this soon. I expected to be an All-Star player eventually in my career, but not this soon. Was I a little surprised when I heard? A little bit – just happy to be involved with it.

Q: Have you given thought that you got picked by the coaches over LeBron James?

Redd: It was such a great honor to be picked by coaches because they see night after night who’s being consistent, who’s playing well, who’s doing what. And our team was winning. If our team wasn’t winning, I don’t know if I’d be here, but we’ve had a great first half of the season and that’s why I’m here.

Q: It has to feel great to know that you earned your spot as opposed to putting a guy on the team because of hype?

Redd: I really just worked hard every day in practice, stayed humble, just kept working and things like this happened. So I really believe good things to those that work hard and put effort into their profession.

Q: From the dynamite left hand you exhibited at Ohio State University to where you are now, did you think that the jumper would be struggling like this?

Redd: No, not at all. In college, I wasn’t thinking about jump shots, I was getting to the rim every time I got a chance. When I got drafted, I had Ray Allen, the Big Dog (Glenn Robinson) and Sam (Cassell), all shooters. That’s why I had to adjust my game and adapt to the team I was with, so with that I just became a shooter.

Q: A lot of defenders play you tough on the left, believing you’re left handed. How do you deal with that?

Redd: I’m actually better with my right, and for the last two years prior, the coaching staff had tried to make me go left more. That’s what I love to do – go right. So, it’s good to be able to go both ways.

Q: Where are you more comfortable taking a jump shot, long distance or short distance?

Redd: Long. Long. Long. Long. I worked on my mid-range jumper and I had it in college, but now I just feel more comfortable shooting the deep three rather than a pull-up.