The time is now for former Cave Spring High School stand out J.J. Redick.

When you are an extremely successful star of a widely hated college basketball team, the absolute favorite taunt of the opposing fans is, "you'll never make it in the pros!" It's a last effort taunt, when a fan has nothing left to say, and no doubt has just watched said star torch his favorite team. It's like watching a guy who just got dumped struggle to get in the last word by saying, "oh yeah, well good luck finding someone else, you're ugly!" That guy basically just admitted he was getting dumped by an ugly girl, while the fan is saying his favorite team just got beat up by a player with less than professional abilities. Both are childish and heard way to often.

Former Duke University star J.J. Redick is no doubt very familiar with this taunt. Since his earliest days as a Blue Devil, the popular thought of some fans has been, he's a good college player, but he'll never make it in the pros. He's fine coming off those perfectly set screens in Coach K's offense, but once he's in the league, getting that jumper off will be tough. Not to mention the thoughts of his lack of defensive ability could cripple him in a league that most often features man-to-man schemes.

As Redick now enters his fourth season in Orlando, after being drafted 11th by the Magic in 2006, he's done little to dispute any of his critics' claims. Coming off his best season thus far, averaging 17.4 minutes of action and producing only six points and just over one assist, Redick is getting close to proving opposing fans correct, and even closer to obtaining Christian-Laettner status. This year could be his chance to rise above those predictions.

Over the summer, the Magic made a few crucial changes in their lineup, which could effect Redick's playing time. Gone is the sharp shooting Hedo Turkoglu, who signed with the Toronto Raptors, along with guards Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston. Enter 10-year veteran Vince Carter, whom Lee and Alston were traded to the New Jersey Nets to obtain, and the pass artist formerly known "white chocolate," Jason Williams.

So what does this mean for Redick? He's officially backing up the Vinsanity. While this probably is not exactly where J.J. was hoping he'd be after three years in the league, this could actually be a very good spot for him to step up. Carter has averaged over 37 minutes a game over the span of his career. That's some rough mileage, and with the Magic eyeballing a return deep into the post season, the common thought would be to save some of the tread on those aging tires. Enter Redick.

The funny thing about that girl who got dumped and then taunted is that she is in control of how foolish the guy looks in the long run. Sure she can feel sorry for herself, rent multiple romantic movies, and sit around pounding chocolates and ice cream for a week, which would prove this guy to be correct. On the other hand, if she pulls herself together, realizes that guy is a jerk, and takes her frustrations out at the gym, she'll most likely make him look like a complete fool.

It's a long season, and being in the Eastern Conference, the Magic should have plenty of games that are over by the third quarter, so Redick should have some quality opportunities to step onto the floor and prove a few of his "Duke haters" wrong. Will he rise to this challenge in Dell Curry-like fashion, or will he fall to the ranks of the Eric Montrosses of the basketball world? Only time will tell.