Diagnosing Orlando’s Problems
Dwight isn’t the problemThe Orlando Magic shouldn’t be 0-2. They’ve got the best rebounder in the League playing on the block and a number of shooters with range. Plus, it’s not like they’ve gone against the best teams in the League thus far - they haven’t touched 90 points against Atlanta and Memphis. So what’s the problem?
It’s not Dwight. It’s not Stan Van Gundy’s loose temper. Stan flew off the handle a bit last night, losing himself in front of a microphone talking about how Jameer Nelson “couldn’t hit a bleeping shot.” Jameer went 4-12 from the field, an ugly performance, but even that wasn’t the biggest problem.
The issue is that the Magic aren’t sharing the ball at all. Against Atlanta, they put up a League-worst 10 assists. They turned the ball over 15 times that game. And then last night, it was more of the same. 16 assists, 17 TO’s.
This team should rack up assists with Dwight down low and Rashard/Hedo spotting up for triples. But Jameer only has 6 assists TOTAL thus far. Anthony Johnson has four. Mickael Pietrus has three.
So tonight’s game against Sacramento, the team struggling the absolute most, should be the perfect chance to get the ball moving and try to notch more assists than TO’s.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
November 1st, 2008 at 12:03 pm
jz_smoove says:
Stan needs to take notes from other “great coaches”. He has to master the play called, Get the ball to (insert superstar name here) and get the F^&#$! out of the way!…if he takes care of that they’ll be aight.
November 1st, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Three Stacks says:
I’ve never seen someone so drastically miss the point of an article like jz_smoove did.
November 1st, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Coop says:
That’s what happens when you draft a midget PG who isn’t very good at passing or shooting. Give up in him already and get someone in who actually knows what they’re doing. They did well last year because Turko just grabbed the ball and told Jameer to fuck off out the way haha
November 1st, 2008 at 1:43 pm
QuEsT??? says:
Magic’s Problem = Jameer Nelson. They should have never signed him to that contract. Otis Smith has a crush on Nelson. The Magic would have been better off with arroyo at point, he was playing pretty well when nelson was injured and he had no pressure from smith. Ive been saying this for like the past year…………FUCK JAMEER NELSON!
November 1st, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Dagomar says:
What’s Orlando’s problem? They’re on a two-game losing streak. Come on. Get back to me in 10 games and we’ll see if they still have a problem.
November 1st, 2008 at 2:02 pm
QQ says:
It’s the fucking start of the season, and being 0-2 is ‘having a problem’ nowadays?
November 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
“They did well last year because Turko just grabbed the ball and told Jameer to fuck off out the way haha” LOL
Seriously, they need a real pg. How come they aint trying to get Tinsley? If it dont work out, just bench him like the Pacers do, like dont call us, we’ll holla at you shit
November 1st, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Jayo armchairGM says:
This team needs Vince Carter!!
November 1st, 2008 at 2:41 pm
jayslay says:
fuck jameer nelson????? are u serious????why jump on his back ???is it realy his fault they are losing??? naw its not man…the problem is they have to many guys who need the ball to be effective….hedo,shad,superman,even jameer need to be the person with the ball…i would suggest bringing hedo off the bench like the lakers use odom…..or trade him for a pf…its 2 games in the season they have 80 games left they will win there division and they will do it with jameer nelson
November 1st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
PC Peace says:
Objectively speaking, EVERY team in the L has a problem, even the ones with “perfect” (read:2-0) records .. give the team some damn time, and if they are sitting at 0 and 10, THEN we can talk abt a real problem
November 1st, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Bone says:
The problems the Magic have are three-fold, really, and pretty obvious:
1. Their best player is offensively challenged. All Howard can do is dunk. Look, I love Howard as much as anyone, but until he learns how to catch the ball on the block, face up, and make a move with the ball, they are going to struggle.
2. I don’t think anymore needs to be said about the point guard situation. Jameer would be a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year if he was coming off the bench.
3. Where is Courtney Lee? I thought they drafted him because he was a slasher could create his own shot when the clock was winding down. That is their biggest problem, no one on the team can create their own shot. Honestly, someone like Vince Carter would be perfect for this team. If the offense is struggling, give it to Vince, run a clear out, and let him go to work.
And a bonus point, the Magic have gotten NOTHING out of their 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 draft picks. Starting with Reece Gaines in 03, Fran Vazquez in 05, JJ Reddick in 06, and Courtney Lee in 07 is what they have to show from that stretch other than Howard in 04. Funny thing is their pick that they traded in 2007 to Detroit netted the Pistons Rodney Stuckey. Think the Magic couldn’t use him?
November 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Jayo armchairGM says:
Vince Carter would free up Dwight on the inside and create more space for shooters like Lewis. Ultimately making this team a LEGIT title contender!
November 1st, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Bruce says:
the reason they are 0 and 2 is because they have 3 pre madonna stars that all think they are the go to guys. take a look a boston rondo is not the best point guard but he knows who to get the ball to and when, but the big three pick there spots and the other 2 rebound or box out and play as one…
November 1st, 2008 at 8:00 pm
AB_40 says:
hedo… contract year and jj redick stole the starting 5’s mojo since he started getting minutes haha.
14 and 14? for real some call him the best center in the world today and het gets 14 and 14?! he needs to find his inner bastardness and demand the ball down low.
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:53 am
Yucca Man says:
@Bruce
Wow. They have three “pre-Madonna” stars. Does that mean they are all over 50 years old or over 2000 years old? It just gives me chills to think about the things Howard, Lewis, and Turkolu must have seen over the years. And to think they look so young …
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 am
heartbreaker85 says:
dwight howard doesnt have any post up game to speak of, that’s why he isn’t entitled to getting more than 10 touches that arent dunks/ alley oops.
people are insane calling him a young shaq. yeah hes got the power and size, but shaq already knew how to back people down and get to where he wanted coming out of lsu.
in a game where lay-ups and dunks aren’t allowed, guys like chris kaman, brad miller, marc gasol would school dwight howard easily. good thing the nba loves to market athletic showtime players over actual skilled ones.
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:23 am
Don't Understand says:
I can’t see why Jameer doesn’t average at least 7 dimes a game with all the scorers around him. I’m a Bobcat fan and Raymond averaged 7+ dimes last year with far less offensive power than what they have in Orlando. Could be their offense but I don’t watch enough Magic games to know for sure.
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 am
iLL Mago says:
You live by the 3, you die by the 3.
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:25 am
LakeShow84 says:
Best quote for this article right above me..
You live by the 3, you die by the three..
But their winning streak coincides with a great 3 point shooting streak..
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:26 am
LakeShow84 says:
That was Bet their winning streak coincides with a great 3 point shooting streak..
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Spot says:
@heartbreake85, good point; do you think any black players could school Dwight too?
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Dave says:
Lack of creativity on the perimeter. If Hedo isn’t playing like like a superstar then they’re in trouble. Lack of penetration and lack of playmakers.
Because of those reasons Jameer Nelson is a massive key and regularly the difference between Orlando looking like a legit contender or not.
Another reason is Dwight Howard doesn’t get enough touches or shots. It’s ugly and he makes mistakes, but he’s damn effective, who cares what it looks like, get him the ball.
June 12th, 2009 at 4:19 am
thon says:
JAMEER NELSON is the PROBLEM….. HE is A STUPID POINT GUARD……ORLANDO LOST game 4,,,because he did not GUard FISHEr in the 3 points area….he stepped back guarding the 2 points area for Fisher drive???/ what a STUPID guard. Orlando has 3 point lead,,,,and JAMEER NELSON guarded the 2 point drive area??? …….REMOVE JAMEER NELSOn,,,,REMOVE JAMEER NELSO from ORLANDO