Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Tiger Woods Makes His 2012 PGA Tour Debut

Why I'm Scared, And Why I'm Not: Orlando

This is the final installment of a little series where I try (emphasis on try) to analyze our competitors in the Southeast Division and take a look at what makes them dangerous in the coming season, and what helps us sleep easier at night.  This is kind of like the community projections except that:

A) No predictions on records will be made.

B) This series will be conducted in bullet point form as opposed to paragraph form.

C) These only pertain to the Southeast Division.

D) These will generally be much more poorly written than the Community Projections.

But other than that, they're kind of the same...but not reallyFor the final installment, we take a look at last year's division champions, the Orlando Magic.  If you're thinking "I bet Jake held off on this so he could avoid the scorn of Ben Q. Rock," you'd be right.

Why I'm scared:

Some people might be souring on Dwight Howard, but that's generally a sign that they've arrived as a star in the league.  In other words, not good for us, not good for anyone else either.  Well, besides Orlando.

If Tony Battie can return to form, after missing all of last season, he'll give the magic more frontcourt depth, which never hurts.

Dwight Howard won't have to deal with the distraction of preparing dunks for the Slam Dunk Contest this year.  At least, I hope so (Monumental Air '09!).

The lingering fear that some incompetent GM will overvalue J.J. Redick and offer someone that really helps Orlando on a trade.  Think Kwame-for-Caron, but way more watered down.

Why I'm not sure what to think:

Is it just me, or is Orlando GM Otis Smith trying to re-create the mid-90's Rockets with Dwight Howard taking the role of Hakeem doing all the damage inside, and then surrounding the dominant big man with perimeter shooters?  Think about it, Rashard Lewis is their Robert Horry (if Robert cared about the regular season), Mickael Pietrus is like a less angry version of Vernon Maxwell, and Hedo Turkoglu is a poor man's Clyde Drexler (in terms of productivity, not mid-air artistry).  It's a little bizarre, but that's what I always go back to when I think about the Magic.  Then again, I was 6 years old when the Rockets won their second title, so my memories might be a little warped.

Why I'm not scared:

Adonal Foyle!

If Redick sticks around, this:

The Magic are celebrating their 20th anniversary this season.  Traditionally, the gift for a 20th anniversary is china.  Is that an omen that the Magic will be especially fragile this year?  Probably not, but if they end up being injury-prone this season, remember that I said this.


I'm not sure if they've got enough to win the Eastern Conference crown in O-Town ths season, but I don't see any reason why they can't repeat as Southeast Division champs this season.  Of course, it Dwight Howard takes another quantum leap, all bets are off for this team.

Comment 10 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

You lost me on the Mad Max to Pietrus comparison

Now if the Magic were able to get a 6’4" combo guard baller/gamer (like Mad Max was), then I’d be more scared…..but Pietrus, and even Nelson, pale in comparison to Maxwell’s long distance capabilities and ability to take over a game (or fan section).

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

by Kyle Weidie on Sep 22, 2008 12:44 PM EDT reply actions  

Although to be fair

Both Pietrus and Max are prone to stupidity on the court, though Max’s stupidity is different from Pietrus’.

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

by Mike Prada on Sep 22, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'll admit that comparison is a bit of a stretch

But that’s part of the reason why I don’t see Orlando doing what Houston did. However, Pietrus did have a a higher 3P% last season than Maxwell did in ’95 FWIW.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by Jake Whitacre on Sep 22, 2008 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

Pietrus is more like Mario Elie

Max wasn’t on the Rockets in 1995.

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

by Mike Prada on Sep 22, 2008 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

In '94-95 he was

I should’ve clarified that. But yes, Mario Elie probably does work better than Maxwell.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by Jake Whitacre on Sep 22, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

Minor detail

Those are the ones that get me every time.

Bullets Forever: A blog dedicated to the Washington Wizards with analysis, commentary, and more YouTube videos than your eyes can handle.

by Jake Whitacre on Sep 22, 2008 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

And I'll say...

That you didn’t “lose” me because I go the comparison as a whole….but Howard will never develop a Dream Shake….and if they expect to win, with their star, in close games, kid better learn how to shoot a FT.

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

by Kyle Weidie on Sep 22, 2008 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

I remember Orlando’s GM talking about the 1-2 punch inside-out of Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis. That’s what they were trying to build first and foremost, but clearly Rashard while a good player isn’t good enough to fill that role (as a Kobe/Wade were).

by NBR on Sep 22, 2008 11:39 PM EDT reply actions  

well, after last night...

we’re [i]certainly[/i] winning the division. hate to see that happen though (re: haywood/jamison)

www.last.fm/user/mhetrick04

by mhetrick14 on Oct 8, 2008 7:24 PM EDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Washington Wizards.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
Randy Wittman Seems to "Get It"

Recent FanPosts

Small
Kaman worth going after?
Small
The Wiz have 4 players worth keeping.
Steve_small
This Is Where I Stand
Stan_marsh_small
Is Kyrie Irving already 'All Star' good?
Unseld_small
Keep the Three Burritoes
Small
Rebuilding the Washington Wizards
Small
Should Wiz try a 2 PG lineup
Small
How I Would Do It
Small
Where Is JaVale?
Kg_nasty_small
should the Vesely pick get Ernie fired?

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Editor-In-Chief

Headshot_small Mike Prada

Associate Editor

Small Vanilla Gorilla

248225_small Sean Fagan

Contributors

Jakesbshot_small Jake Whitacre

Mriggs_cartoon_2__small Rook6980

Addingmachine_small bwoodsxyz

Photo_on_2010-12-10_at_10 Bullet Nation in Exile