I don’t see Turkoglu having another career year. Then again, Dwight Howard is a beast. A lot depends on Jameer and whether he can stay healthy. Maybe its JJ’s time to get off the bench?

The biggest Magic addition to Orlando’s rotation this summer is Tony Battie. This gives Orlando a legitimate second big man. Someone who can play tough defense and provide help on the boards, and help Orlando match up against teams with two bigs. Battie is very important.

I think you have to look at Orlando’s bench also. Keith Bogans was by far their best bench player in the playoffs last season and they’re only reliable bench player. Their rest of their bench was a disaster in the playoffs. Now he has Anthony Johnson at the point, Courtney Lee on the wing and Battie inside. That bench is deep enough to make a playoff run.

Plus it’s nice to have 12 more fouls in Gortat (who’s improving and might be decent next year) and Foyle.

Now add in the upgrade defensively with Mickael Pietrus and you have a very solid ball club.

The biggest factor for Orlando competing for NBA title is the play of Jameer Nelson, particularly on the offensive end.

Hedo Turkoglu is a very good player but frankly he isn’t good enough to be the best, more importantly the only, player on the perimeter who can create off the dribble …. who can create either for himself or others. Who’s penetration can break down an opposition defense and create some havoc.

Orlando are a whole different animal when Jameer Nelson answers the call and gives Hedo a sidekick. The diversity offensively is 100% necessary for Orlando to win a Championship. It helps spacing all over the court and makes Orlando extremely difficult to defend. It’s also something Stan Van Gundy desperately wants and is unhappy that Jameer doesn’t provide it often enough. There’s no good reason why Nelson doesn’t do it, he’s proven he can achieve this against some of the best defenses and point guard defenders in the league …. he just doesn’t do it consistently. No good reason, it’s all in his head. If he cops on and realizes how dangerous he can be on the court Orlando becomes a frontrunner alongside Boston in the East. If not they fall back into that second tier.

He doesn’t need to be an all-star or anything outrageous. Just more aggressive and assertive with the ball in his hands. If he could give them something like 15 and 7, that would be a huge help to their side.

Orlando’s postseason hopes hinge on Jameer Nelson’s offensive contribution.