2023-24 Orlando Magic Thread

Originally posted by jrg:

Reggie Evans, Shaun Smith... and Kobe?

Originally posted by jrg:

Quote:
There’s no question that, barring injury, Rashard Lewis will be in the Orlando Magic’s starting lineup when the regular season begins on Oct. 28.

But at what position will the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter play?

That’s up for grabs.

Coach Stan Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel today that perhaps his top task over the next month will be to determine whether the Magic are better off with Lewis at his usual position of power forward or at his natural position of small forward.

“I think the two biggest things to figure out for us in the preseason go hand-in-hand,” Van Gundy said. “How much we’re going to play Rashard at the 3 sort of makes everything else fall into play.”

Indeed, Van Gundy acknowledged Lewis could start the season opener at small forward.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2010/09/rashard-lewis-could-be-the-magics-starting-small-forward.html

About freaking time!

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by jrg:

Quote:
There’s no question that, barring injury, Rashard Lewis will be in the Orlando Magic’s starting lineup when the regular season begins on Oct. 28.

But at what position will the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter play?

That’s up for grabs.

Coach Stan Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel today that perhaps his top task over the next month will be to determine whether the Magic are better off with Lewis at his usual position of power forward or at his natural position of small forward.

“I think the two biggest things to figure out for us in the preseason go hand-in-hand,” Van Gundy said. “How much we’re going to play Rashard at the 3 sort of makes everything else fall into play.”

Indeed, Van Gundy acknowledged Lewis could start the season opener at small forward.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2010/09/rashard-lewis-could-be-the-magics-starting-small-forward.html

About freaking time!

Haha, I just wish LeBron would've went to the Western Conference and then FOR SURE Rashard would move to SF.

But, regardless..we MAY see this lineup this season.

Nelson/Duhon/Williams
Carter/Redick
Lewis/Pietrus/Richardson
Bass/Anderson/Gortat
Howard/Gortat

Magic To Offer Extension To Howard Next Summer

The Magic will offer Dwight Howard a contract extension next summer.

General Manager Otis Smith told the Sentinel that the Magic will try to sign Howard to an extension before he can become a free agent in the summer of 2012.

"Of course we will," said Smith, when asked if he'll approach Howard with a contract of his choosing. "We want Dwight to be in a Magic uniform for as long as he plays basketball.

"That's in the best interest of our franchise and, we hope, it is in the best interest of Dwight."

When the Sentinel asked Howard about signing an extension, the Magic center smiled.

"I plan on being here forever," he said. "I love Orlando."



Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/69312/20100927/magic_to_offer_extension_to_howard_next_summer/#ixzz10rZAi7Oi

Originally posted by jrg:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by jrg:

Quote:
There’s no question that, barring injury, Rashard Lewis will be in the Orlando Magic’s starting lineup when the regular season begins on Oct. 28.

But at what position will the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter play?

That’s up for grabs.

Coach Stan Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel today that perhaps his top task over the next month will be to determine whether the Magic are better off with Lewis at his usual position of power forward or at his natural position of small forward.

“I think the two biggest things to figure out for us in the preseason go hand-in-hand,” Van Gundy said. “How much we’re going to play Rashard at the 3 sort of makes everything else fall into play.”

Indeed, Van Gundy acknowledged Lewis could start the season opener at small forward.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2010/09/rashard-lewis-could-be-the-magics-starting-small-forward.html

About freaking time!

Haha, I just wish LeBron would've went to the Western Conference and then FOR SURE Rashard would move to SF.

But, regardless..we MAY see this lineup this season.

Nelson/Duhon/Williams
Carter/Redick
Lewis/Pietrus/Richardson
Bass/Anderson/Gortat
Howard/Gortat

That's better, but then again, neither Carter or Lewis are good enough defenders to be stopping all of the good 2's & 3's in the league. Not having Pietrus in the lineup would hurt there.

I'd actually consider Lewis off the bench. Have him back up both the 3 & 4 positions and he'd still get 30+ mpg. I also think they should consider starting Gortat & Howard next to each other.

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by jrg:

Originally posted by LA9erFan:

Originally posted by jrg:

Quote:
There’s no question that, barring injury, Rashard Lewis will be in the Orlando Magic’s starting lineup when the regular season begins on Oct. 28.

But at what position will the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter play?

That’s up for grabs.

Coach Stan Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel today that perhaps his top task over the next month will be to determine whether the Magic are better off with Lewis at his usual position of power forward or at his natural position of small forward.

“I think the two biggest things to figure out for us in the preseason go hand-in-hand,” Van Gundy said. “How much we’re going to play Rashard at the 3 sort of makes everything else fall into play.”

Indeed, Van Gundy acknowledged Lewis could start the season opener at small forward.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2010/09/rashard-lewis-could-be-the-magics-starting-small-forward.html

About freaking time!

Haha, I just wish LeBron would've went to the Western Conference and then FOR SURE Rashard would move to SF.

But, regardless..we MAY see this lineup this season.

Nelson/Duhon/Williams
Carter/Redick
Lewis/Pietrus/Richardson
Bass/Anderson/Gortat
Howard/Gortat

That's better, but then again, neither Carter or Lewis are good enough defenders to be stopping all of the good 2's & 3's in the league. Not having Pietrus in the lineup would hurt there.

I'd actually consider Lewis off the bench. Have him back up both the 3 & 4 positions and he'd still get 30+ mpg. I also think they should consider starting Gortat & Howard next to each other.

Doubt that'd ever happen..Lewis usually plays more minutes then anyone on the team. I'd love to see him at the 3 though and Gortat in at the 4..Nelson/Carter/Lewis/Gortat/Howard

Denton: Williams to Have Knee Surgery, Out 4-6 Weeks



ORLANDO – Orlando Magic veteran point guard Jason Williams is expected to miss the next three-to-four weeks after learning he will need arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Thursday.

Williams, 34, went through the first practice of training camp on Tuesday, but was unable to practice for the night session because of pain in his knee. A MRI on Wednesday showed floating particles in the knee and it was determined that surgery was the best option for Williams.

The hope is that Williams can have the surgery now and return by the regular-season opener against the Washington Wizards on Oct. 28.

``It’s unfortunate, but the timing is such that he can be back for the first game,’’ Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. ``In a training camp setting you’d like to have three point guards. But it’s nothing major. He’s got stuff floating around (in the knee). He didn’t want to get (the surgery) done, but this gives him the best chance to get back by the start of the regular season.’’

Van Gundy said the Magic briefly discussed adding a third point guard for training camp, but nixed the idea. Jameer Nelson is the entrenched starter, while Chris Duhon was signed in free agency over the summer to serve as the primary reserve.

Shooting guards Vince Carter and J.J. Redick served as the backup third point guards in Wednesday’s night practice. Van Gundy said the injury underscores how important Orlando’s acquisition of Duhon was in the offseason.

Williams, who is entering his 12th NBA season, returned to the Magic this summer as the team’s third point guard. He appeared in all 82 games last season and started 18 when Nelson was out following knee surgery. He averaged 6.0 points and 3.6 assists a game and registered career highs in shooting percentage (44.4 percent) and 3-point shooting (38 percent).

Lewis at the SF position? About freaking time.

Magic are not playing nice anymore with Vince



The Magic, from management to coaches to players, have in no uncertain terms told Vince Carter they need him to produce this season.
Last season, in Vince’s first year with the team, it seemed like everybody walked on eggshells around the eight-time all-star, paying him respect and treating him with reverance. Which they should have, to a point.

The tenor has changed after a disappointing season for VC.

Magic GM Otis Smith says that Carter “always says the right things” but he wants to see Vince walk the walk.

“He wasn’t Vintage Vince,” Smith said, and he was spot on.
Stan Van Gundy publicly let it be known how much the team needs him.

And in a team meeting Monday, Vince’s teammates pointedly told him to pick it up and play like an all-star.

Smith went out and signed Quentin Richardson and let go of Matt Barnes I think because Q-Rich can give the Magic more scoring if Carter, nearing 34, is on fumes.

The team won’t hesitate to play J.J. Redick as they did during the Boston series when Carter struggled.
_______________________________


It's go time VC

Magic Exercise Fourth-Year Option On Anderson

The Orlando Magic have exercised their fourth-year team option on forward Ryan Anderson, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. Anderson is now under contract through the 2011-12 season.

Anderson played in 63 games last season for the Magic, averaging 7.7 ppg. and 3.2 rpg. in 14.5 minpg., while shooting .370 (78-211) from three-point range.



Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/69382/20101001/magic_exercise_fourth_year_option_on_anderson/#ixzz11AXnlpNp

Magic experimenting with lineup changes in camp

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—The typical makeup of a power forward for most NBA teams is a big and bulky body, a player with the frame to bang around the basket and perhaps toss in a mid-range jumper.

Then there’s Rashard Lewis(notes) and the Orlando Magic.

A natural small forward, Lewis has spent the past three seasons in Orlando mostly starting at power forward. The switch allowed him to stretch the floor as one of the league’s best 3-point shooters and, at a lanky 6-foot-10, offer enough size to guard opponents in the post—an ability that made the Magic a tough matchup.

Now all that might soon change.
For a team with an almost identical roster as a year ago, Orlando is working hard on some different looks. The biggest being with Lewis, who Magic coach Stan Van Gundy plans to experiment with at small forward.

“I think it gives us more size on the floor if we do that,” Van Gundy said after the Magic’s first training camp practice Tuesday. “He can get into his post-up game more. We don’t lose any shooting on the floor. The concern with him playing the three is never at the offensive end.”

It’s defense that would be tricky.

In a matter of months, Lewis would go from bumping with big men such as Boston’s Kevin Garnett(notes) or Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol(notes) to chasing Miami’s LeBron James(notes) or Mike Miller(notes) around the perimeter.

“It’s most definitely a big change,” Lewis said.

But he’s perfectly fine with the swap—in fact, he would rather play small forward.

Lewis always has felt more comfortable at small forward, a position he played nine seasons in Seattle. Van Gundy even told him during their exit meeting last season, Lewis said, that the coach planned to take a shot at the switch.

Lewis has trimmed some weight—about 10 pounds, although he wouldn’t divulge the exact figures—this offseason and worked on his quickness, agility and footwork preparing for the transition.

“I don’t want to say I can do it. It’s going to be a work in progress. It’s going to take some time. Nothing happens overnight. And that’s why it’s good to be in camp, good to be in drills and try this stuff now,” he said.

Any shift with Lewis would essentially remold Orlando’s offensive philosophy.

Lewis at power forward is what made the Magic such a defensive nightmare, surrounding All-Star center Dwight Howard(notes) with four potent 3-point shooters. But even with such success, it also was a reason they fell short.

The Lakers bullied and bruised the Magic’s front line in the NBA finals in 2009, and Boston did the same in the Eastern Conference finals last season. The Celtics went as far as face-guarding Lewis with Garnett and forcing Orlando to play without him.

“It was frustrating more than anything. He pretty much shadowed me everywhere I went on the court,” Lewis said. “They did a great job. They’re a great defensive team, and they took me out of that series.”

So for now, the Magic are mixing it up.

With Lewis at his natural position, Orlando would likely put Brandon Bass(notes) at power forward—as it did during the portion of Tuesday’s scrimmage open to reporters—to give Howard another big body inside. Van Gundy also is exploring other lineups he has only used on occasion, such as playing backup center Marcin Gortat(notes) alongside Howard or Vince Carter(notes) with fellow shooting guard J.J. Redick(notes).

“Why not?” Carter said. “This is the time to really figure it out. Once it gets to the real deal, you kind of have an idea of the direction you want to go against particular teams. So we mine as well be prepared for it and be ready when it gets here.”

At the very least, the idea is to add another element besides Orlando’s shoot-every-outside-shot strategy.

The Magic believe Lewis gives them an advantage posting up, a move that works even better against undersized small forwards. The biggest factor in whether they make the move permanent for the regular season, Van Gundy said, will be if Lewis can be effective defensively against quicker players.

“It’s a different set of expectations,” Van Gundy said. “But we’re going to give him a lot of time there.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AlyhQQDcYHxGGZU8GfOt97C8vLYF?slug=ap-magic-mixingitup

Orlando Magic 2010 40 min PER

ESPN.com has published John Hollinger's player projections for the 2010-2011 season. Two big things: he project Pietrus as the starter at SF, and the only 2 above average players are Dwight and Ryan Anderson.

JAMEER NELSON, PG
Projection: 16.9 pts, 4.2 reb, 7.1 ast per 40 min; 15.07 PER
Biggest weakness is inability to draw fouls.

VINCE CARTER, SG
Projection: 19.1 pts, 4.9 reb, 4.0 ast per 40 min; 14.95 PER
Wasn't as bad as we remember in playoffs. 17.8 points on 43.1 in the 4 losses against Boston which was better than his regular season numbers

MICKAEL PIETRUS, SF
Projection: 14.9 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.4 ast per 40 min; 11.73 PER
He's probably the most mistake-prone shooting specialist in basketball.

RASHARD LEWIS, PF
Projection: 15.4 pts, 5.8 reb, 2.0 ast per 40 min; 13.23 PER
Has improved as a defender at the 4, he finished last among power forwards in rebound rate.

DWIGHT HOWARD, C
Projection: 21.8 pts, 15.0 reb, 2.2 ast per 40 min; 24.43 PER
Needs to avoid offensive fouls and make better passes out of double-teams.

QUENTIN RICHARDSON, SG
Projection: 12.8 pts, 7.0 reb, 1.9 ast per 40 min; 11.61 PER
He's tough and a good team defender.

RYAN ANDERSON, PF
Projection: 21.4 pts, 8.8 reb, 1.6 ast per 40 min; 18.43 PER
Bad defensively but was second on the team in points per 40 mins last season trailing Vince by .1

J.J. REDICK, SG
Projection: 16.1 pts, 3.3 reb, 3.4 ast per 40 min; 13.74 PER
Very good at drawing fouls, and can handle most shooting guards without help. Doesn't get steals, blocks or rebounds.

CHRIS DUHON, PG
Projection: 9.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 6.7 ast per 40 min; 10.37 PER
Low turnover rate, doesn't shoot much.

BRANDON BASS, PF
Projection: 17.0 pts, 8.1 reb, 1.2 ast per 40 min; 16.01 PER
If he ever gets significant time, he will put up numbers.

MARCIN GORTAT, C
Projection: 10.6 pts, 13.0 reb, 0.7 ast per 40 min; 13.93 PER
The difference between 09-10 and 10-11 was that he ws getting fewer offensive rebounds which means fewer easy putbacks.

JASON WILLIAMS, PG
Projection: 10.6 pts, 2.8 reb, 6.3 ast per 40 min; 11.25 PER
Hollinger made up the phrase 'ball vacuum' (opposite of ball pressure) to describe J-Will's defense.

DANIEL ORTON, C
Most likely just trade filler

STANLEY ROBINSON, SF
Needs to develop offense to stick in the league

MALIK ALLEN, PF
Spent last season in Denver proving that he wasn't an NBA player.

Magic 61

Rockets 45

Halftime

Howard - 17 pts 9 reb