Predictions - Orlando Magic

by Rook6980 on Aug 28, 2008 11:21 AM EDT

Ok - so let's talk predictions. I'll start it off with our Southeast Division rivals, the Orlando Magic -

Off-season additions:
Signed guard Anthony Johnson. 11-Year Veteran will replace Arroyo as the backup PG. Shoots a much better 3-point percentage than Arroyo.
Signed guard Mickael Pietrus. Versatile and athletic. Pietrus is an upgrade at SG.
Signed their first round draft pick (#22) Courtney Lee. He's a smart, strong and versatile shooting guard; and many people thought the Wizards should have picked him. It will be at least 2-years before he'll be any help to the Magic.

Off-season losses:
Carlos Arroyo signed with a team in Israel.

Starting 5:
PG - Jameer Nelson - Became more efficient at the offensive end last year. He was able to push the ball on the break. Look for him to have another fine year.
SG - Mickael Pietrus - An upgrade over last year.
C - Dwight Howard - How much will the wear and tear of the Olympics affect the dream teamers? He needs to improve his foul shooting, otherwise teams will be looking to hack-a-Dwight at the end of games.
F - Rashard Lewis - brought just what Orlando wanted from him, scoring. Look for even more from him this year. He needs to improve his 3-point percentage.
F - Hedo Turkoglu - Many thought Turkoglu deserved an All-Star appearance last year.....and he may get it this year.

Key Reserves:
Anthony Johnson
J.J. Redick, Courtney Lee
Keith Bogans
Tony Battie
Adonal Foyle

It's been a quiet off-season for the Orlando Magic. They made a couple of small moves in the free agent market. They signed their GM Otis Smith to a multi-year contract extension. Smith, as you know, was instrumental in acquiring All-Star forward Rashard Lewis, signing All-NBA center Dwight Howard to a contract extension, and acquiring Head Coach Stan Van Gundy.

Did they get better? Maybe a little. The addition of Pietrus should help a little. Certainly, some good things can be said about continuity. If Courtney Lee makes a quantum jump and tears up the league, that would help (Keep dreaming - people were saying the same thing about JJ Reddick last year)... They didn't do much to improve their bench.

Did they need to get better? YES - if they wanted to contend for the Championship. In my opinion, they're still one key piece away from being an elite team.

The bottom line though, is that Orlando is the same team as last year.... and they will have similar results to last year.

Prediction: 52 - 30 1st in the Southeast Division

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

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Comments

I'll have more when we get to the Competition Discussions

But I think they’re a little worse, because basically all unexpected improvement they made last year was with Hedo Turkoglu’s emergence. Not only should he not be as good (he was incredible last year), but they’ve lost their best perimeter defender (Dooling), haven’t shored up their frontcourt reserves and still employ Jameer at the point. I’m also not really a believer in Pietrus.

I think if we stay healthy, we can win the division.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Aug 28, 2008 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

I think the Magic were a tad bit lucky last year....

Our friend Ben Q. Rock will disagree….but I don’t see 50 wins for them, 43-45 tops.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Kyle Weidie on Aug 28, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

Tough to Read

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?

by Jeff Malone on Aug 29, 2008 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

Tony Battie + Their 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.

by Dave W on Sep 2, 2008 12:13 AM EDT reply actions

Biggest Factor - Jameer Nelson

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.

by Dave W on Sep 2, 2008 12:20 AM EDT reply actions

Anthony Johnson, Adonal Foyle and Keith Bogans?

Those are your key reserves? Dude what are you smoking? Let me hit some of that, because Anthony Johnson blows and Keith Bogans can’t guard the wind. Reddick might be a sleeper and Tony Battie always comes strong but those other “key reserves” you listed are pop tarts.

For 3!!

by wballa on Sep 7, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions