Highs and Lows: Orlando Magic
Dwight Howard (photo. Mannion)NBA training camps start up in a few weeks. In the meantime, we’re going team-by-team, from 1 to 30, and exploring what each team’s ceiling is for the upcoming season and where their basement is. In other words, what is the realistic best-case and worst-case scenario for each squad.
Additions: PG Anthony Johnson, SG Courtney Lee, SG/SF Mickael Pietrus.
Losses: PG/SG Keyon Dooling, PG Carlos Arroyo, SG/SF Mo Evans.
Ceiling: Eastern Conference Finals.
Although the first two postseason appearances of the Dwight Howard era have ended at the hands of the Pistons, Orlando did get a playoff series win under its belt in ‘08 by knocking off Toronto in the first round. For a young team building a championship foundation, that is a crucial step. With another year of seasoning and the core of their roster still intact (Dwight, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson), the Magic could figure out the formula to get past their nemesis, or if they don’t happen to cross paths with Detroit, take out another team in the second round. Last year Orlando won 52 games without a legit power forward; this year they have Tony Battie returning from the shoulder injury that cost him all of ‘07-08, which only makes Dwight’s job easier. Johnson is a more efficient point guard than Arroyo, albeit not as explosive, and rookie Lee and free agent Pietrus can do a decent job filling in the gaps left by Dooling and Evans.
Basement: Barely missing the playoffs.
Until Dwight develops more of a post game (and starts sinking his free throws) and Rashard becomes more slasher than shooter, the Magic will continue to feast and famine on the three-ball. Last year they launched 2,074 triples — second in the League only to the Warriors — but at the same time, Orlando was 26th in overall field goal attempts. In other words, 32 percent of Orlando’s shots were taken beyond the arc. While they have good shooters in Lewis, Turkoglu, Keith Bogans and J.J. Redick, any prolonged cold streaks can send this team into a funk. Meanwhile, the Southeast Division has improved from top to bottom. Miami has a healthy D-Wade, a full season with Shawn Marion and Mike Beasley; Washington has a healthy Gilbert Arenas; Atlanta is more confident coming off their playoff appearance; and Charlotte kept their talented core together while bringing in a Hall of Fame coach. Miami and Washington could realistically leap-frog the Magic and put them in the back-end of the Lottery.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Sam I Am says:
Go Wizards…Hometown favs to take the Southeast Div.
Orlando is nice tho, I think they will make the playoffs and get into the second round.
That’s their Ceiling – 2nd round
September 10th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Sam I Am says:
What happened to the Comment Posts of the Day.
Ya’ll think we forgot.
NO WE HAVEN’T….I’m still mad over the summer giveaway
September 10th, 2008 at 10:40 am
iain. says:
(Until)Rashard becomes more slasher than shooter?
Dude is like nearly 30, its a little late to be “becoming” a slasher, IMO.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:48 am
iain. says:
Just out of interest, is there any reason why the Magic were the first team featured? Austin are you secret Magic fan? lol..
And I think Pietrus is just what Orlando need with their system. Definate upgrade from Dooling.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:27 am
bsteezy3 says:
The Magic will continue to get better. The league noticed Dwight Howard, but not the team until late in the season. This year we (yep, I’m a diehard) will continue to improve, but if we don’t figure out how to close games vs. Detroit, then it will be all for nothing. Dwight has to improve his free-throw percentage as well. Folks talk about the Magic shooting too many 3s, but that’s their game. They are in the Eastern Conference, playing a Western Conference style of ball.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:28 am
bsteezy3 says:
One more thing, I NEVER though Hedo would be as good as he was last year. (Can you remember him on the Kings?? I hated him back then!) Let’s hope last season wasn’t a fluke…
September 10th, 2008 at 11:56 am
jimmhumm says:
@ Sam I AM
Somebody always mad at Dime. Give the dudes a break. If it wasn’t for them I would be paying ESPN for this inside info. The Magic are a good team. Howard needs more polish. He kind of reminds me of Motombo in 2001 with way more ups and duller elbows. Dude is a beast on glass but a clutz on post.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Sam I Am says:
@ jimmhumm
I love Dime…been reading their Power Rankings since the FOX SPORTS days…
I am trying to keep things light and humerous; and yes I hate ESPN.com as well but you should chill too
September 10th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Sam I Am says:
The Magic are losing in the 2nd round
September 10th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Diego says:
I agree with someone’s reply to a prior piece: Pietrus is due for a break-out year.
Question: Why doesn’t France have a better team? Take all of their NBA talent (there are several big men too), and I think you could field quite a team.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Austin Burton says:
@iain — No particular reason why Orlando was first. With the Sonics on ice until 2012 or so, my substitute favorite team is the Spurs.
September 10th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
bsteezy3 says:
One more thing…I said this last year, and I’ll say it this year. We have a dominant center (Howard), and a bunch of shooters who can slash at times… This is the reincarnation of the 92-96 era Orlando Magic squad. The team was Shaq, and a bunch of shooters who could slash at times…
September 10th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
"Vinnie "2 mins"Johnson" says:
I think Pietrus is the key, if he plays well, which I think he should average 12-14pts off the bench, and play good defense….
You don’t need DHoward to score! Yes he needs to get better what is he 22yrs old? You need an offensive post player like Zach Randolph…..
I’m out like Kobe’s pinky…
September 10th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
QueSt??? says:
fuck orlando( i live there) fuck jameer nelson and otis smith, jameer sucks. He is short, he thinks he is kobe, and he is a super small point guard that loves to shoot but sucks at it. The real reason why they got rid of carlos arroyo was so that there wasnt any controversy like there was in toronto.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Ian says:
bsteezy
u know man i always thought he could be this good (just as good as a healthy peja) since he was with the kings the spurs shoulda keept hedo that one hurts
September 10th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Dave says:
Orlando will go as far as Jameer Nelson takes them … when he’s on form Orlando can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league. When he’s off they’re a mediocre team. They desperately need his penetration and playmaking to diversify their offense.
They had a quiet but effective summer making some solid additions and getting Battie back healthy. Good stuff.
September 11th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Kobeef says:
“Last year Orlando won 52 games without a legit power forward;”
Huh?
What the hell do you call Rashard and Hedo? Both are 6-10 and can play inside and out. Maybe they need to stay in the low post a bit more but the Magic certainly don’t need to bring in another skilled big man.
Jameer to me is the weak spot on this team. He is a few notches below the best PG’s in the league and it shows during the playoffs.
Pietrus is an under-rated pick-up. The guy is very athletic, solid defender. He will be a good fit at the 2 for Orlando. If the Magic had a guy like Stuckey at the point they would be better off.
September 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Kobeef — I call Hedo and Rashard a pair of natural small forwards who had to draw straws to see who’d play PF last year.