OK, faithful readers, since I am still a bit bummed that we couldn’t beat the Pistons the other night, I don’t have it in me to dedicate a entire post to the disappointment of that game (even though I’d love to rage at the fact that Rodney Stuckey did a Chauncy Billups impression and we once again allowed an inferior Pistons team to dictate game flow). So, in the interest of starting fresh with the New Year beginning tomorrow, I am going to use this post to “dump” the remaining observations from the first two months of the 2008 season. Enjoy!
Observations about the Magic:
As much as I am enjoying the Magic’s fast start and the improved play of pretty much everyone on the roster, I still wish the Magic had that one player that was just plain mean. You know, a nasty enforcer type. But not an 11th or 12th man, more like a 7th or 8th man.
My most favorite move so far this season: that beautiful little spin move that Dwight has developed. Once he perfects it, I’m not sure anyone currently in this league can stop it.
Second favorite move: Dwight’s 12-15 foot bank shot from the left corner. I’ve always loved the fact that Tim Duncan uses the glass in the way that big men of years past did. If Dwight can hit that consistently, he can start a ring collection.
I’ve noticed Magic players – and most recently, Keith Bogans – drinking “Red Bull” while on the bench. Makes me miss the days when Darrell Armstrong would mainline Hershey’s Kisses.
Doug Collins claims that Dwight Howard’s increased weight training has led to his decreased free throw percentage. While I agree with this assessment, I also think that this is only temporary. I keep comparing Howard to Karl Malone, but it has merit: Malone was HUGE! The man had bear arms! But he was able to increase his free throw percentage over time. I think Dwight will as well.
I am impressed with Mickael Pietrus so far. He seems to be more than we were expecting. However, it seems that he jumps too high and flies too fast sometimes and it could lead to more injuries during his tenure with the Magic. Sometimes it seems like he thinks he is still playing power forward in Don Nelson’s small-ball offense. [Note: I wrote this before his injury! Check me out, being all prescient!]
Tony Battie’s minutes are down lately, but I still think that his value as a reserve has increased. It’s one thing if Tony Battie is your starting power forward. But Tony Battie as your back up at PF/C, even at 5.7 million, is much more palatable. I think he will be extremely valuable in the playoffs. If the Warlock continues to develop – and we can retain him – then Battie’s expiring salary next season might be an attractive trade asset.
As Dwight Howard has increased his shot blocking, it has begun to generate as much excitement (as measured by fan reaction) as any of his dunks!
The game against the Pacers (Nov. 29th) provided us with the first look at a “no PG” backcourt. Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, and JJ Redick were the three players on the court. As you can likely guess, Hedo Turkoglu controlled the ball. It is a nice luxury to have so many players capable of initiating the offense.
Anecdotal evidence of how quickly Dwight Howard has developed a reputation for shot blocking: during the Pacers game, Rasho Nesterovich, a solid, veteran big man who has played on some highly successful teams, shot an air ball while being guarded by Dwight Howard, despite being less than two feet from the rim. For every block that Dwight Howard makes, is it safe to say he alters at least three others?
Best part about the Timberwolves vs. Magic matchup is Dwight Howard vs. Al Jefferson. These two players represent the best young interior players in the game right now. For now, Jefferson may have the slight edge in post moves, but Howard has a huge edge in awesome!
Anyone else notice that pretty much every shot that Hedo Turkoglu takes is a fade away? My personal favorites are the fade away three-pointers when there isn’t a defender within 6 feet of him. But hey, he makes it work for the most part!
I am thoroughly impressed with the 2008-2009 Orlando Magic Dancers. Extremely good dancing, extremely attractive dancers, and better outfits! Of course, there is still no replacement for Former Magic Dancer April.
Observations about the Magic’s Opponents
On the Bulls’ backcourt: I’m not sure if the trio will be permitted to develop – given the time it make take for them to become great – but the young Bulls backcourt rotation of Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich, and Ben Gordon could be tremendous. Between the three of them, they have enough offensive, defensive, and playmaking talent to be one of the best backcourts in the East, now that Chauncey Billups was sent West. But it would seem that a combination of a contract logjam, and the Bulls being stuck near .500, will likely lead to at least one of these three being moved.
Still waiting to have the story corroberated, but there’s a rumor that Baron Davis desperately tried to board the Magic’s team bus when it departed LA after the Magic’s win over the Clippers. Apparently he was finally detained by Staples Center security.
Speaking of the Clippers are actually a strange team. Injuries aside, it is hard for me to understand how they could be this bad, record-wise. After all, they have some great individual pieces. Baron Davis is a dynamic player who can create for himself and others. Marcus Camby is a strong defensive presence in the paint. Zach Randolph is the offensive opposite of Camby, possessing strong post moves. Chris Kaman possesses elements of both Camby’s and Randolph’s game but also has a toughness and and “edge” about him. And Al Thornton is the young, electric wing player that can provide offense and defense from anywhere on the court. They even seemed to have drafted well with the emerging play of rookie Eric Gordon. Shouldn’t this team be playing better than it is? Mike Dunleavy is a pretty good coach, so it can’t be just that. Yeah, they play in the West, but come on, only 8 victories in the first 30 games? Can we lay all the blame at the feet of Ricky Davis?
Is it alright for me to pity Mike Miller? He finally gets out of Memphis, only to be sent to a post-KG Timberwolves team!
During a timeout of the OK City Thunder game, I noticed former Magic assistant coach and current Thunder assistant coach Mark Bryant appear to take gum from his mouth and place it under his chair. Yes, you read that correctly. Due to the camera angle, I was unable to tell for certain where he placed the gum. He could have been placing it in waste receptacle, or even in a piece of scrap paper, but it sure looked like he stuck it under his chair! Of course, considering the fact that Bryant resembles the huge werewolf from the first “Underworld” movie, I doubt anyone is going to call him on it.
People hate to hear it, but I just can’t help but wonder about the 2005 draft every time I see Danny Granger play. Yeah yeah, I know, by even mentioning it again, I’ve doomed an angel to losing his wings, but seriously…this guy is SO good! Fran, you’re best bet is to just stay where you are. I’m not sure you will ever get a warm reception here.
Add Jeff Foster to the list of players that any team would welcome. The guy has had an extremely efficient career playing back-up minutes but this season has seen his minutes increase with the departure of Jermaine O’Neal. He even had a stretch of starts earlier in the season. Although he has suffered from back problems that has limited his playing time, he always plays tough when he is in the game. He’s one of those players that always seems to make a timely play – like grabbing a rebound in traffic for a put back. Of course, the main reason I like him is because of his uncanny resemblence to Geoff Tate, the lead singer of Queensryche.
Earlier in the season, there was a half-time segment on a TNT broadcast in which Kenny Smith listed his NBA “Department of Labor.” He included both Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill. Although being included in this list was intended to be a compliment, I couldn’t help but laugh cynically at the inclusion of two former Magic player who have not been able to lead a team out of the first round of the playoffs.
Magic vs. Spurs (Dec. 18th, 2008) I know we also beat the Lakers and the Hornets at home after this game. But the Spurs game was special because it was the first one after coming off that great road trip. It was our first opportunity to show the rest of the league that we are legit. And hey, it was against the multi-championship Spurs! So, it gets some special treatment here:
Big big crowd! Biggest crowd of the season so far. And the crowd was fired up for their Orlando Magic!
It appeared from the opening quarter that the Magic were pretty fired up themselves!
Fact: no team in the NBA complains more about foul calls than the San Antonio Spurs, especially Tim Duncan. This is indisputable.
During a time out, they put the mistletoe camera on a couple in the crowd. After several awkward seconds in which the couple did not kiss, the man clearly could be seen mouthing “She’s my sister! My SIS-TER!” Good times.
Couldn’t help but notice that when Anthony Johnson came in for Jameer Nelson, the offense got stagnant.
Marcin Gortat and Courtney Lee were the two of the first three players off the bench for the Magic. It would appear that they are also the first two Magic draft picks that actually seem to be working out since the 2004 draft.
Speaking of good draft picks, the Spurs continue to strike gold in the lower end of the draft – George Hill being the latest find.
The Magic led by over 20 points in the third quarter, but a 20 point lead is not safe against a championship team like the Spurs.
The fourth quarter started with a 13 point lead for the Magic. It was a nervewracking quarter for the fans. The Spurs got as close as 6 points before Jameer Nelson took over and put it away.
Best part about the victory over the Spurs: during that cardiac fourth quarter, the Magic increased their lead during the time that Dwight Howard was off the floor in foul trouble!
Happy New Year Magic Fans!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Former A-10 standouts and Associated Press National Players of the Year Jameer Nelson of Saint Joseph's and Xavier's David West have been named to the NBA All-Star team and will square off Feb. 15 in Phoenix, Ariz. It marks Nelson's first All-Star selection, while West earns his second straight honor.
Posts: 6643 | Location: Perpetual English Confounder | Registered: July 10, 2007
Best part about the Timberwolves vs. Magic matchup is Dwight Howard vs. Al Jefferson. These two players represent the best young interior players in the game right now. For now, Jefferson may have the slight edge in post moves, but Howard has a huge edge in awesome!
I think Hedo will soon find a way to fade away on layups and free throws.
I believe Dwight's free throw percentage will improve when fans realize that chanting "MVP" only distracts him.
I am in the club who was so happy to see Granger fall to the Magic on draft night only to be left asking with most fans "Who the F is Fran Vazquez?"
Honestly I think Gortat needs to be Mr. Nasty off the bench. He has the size and strength to intimidate and his father was an Olympic Medalist in boxing. So I am sure he was taught enough by his old man to hold his own.
Posts: 6536 | Location: Amway Arena Lot 3 waiting for the next game | Registered: February 23, 2006
Funny addition to that, a few people here know that I own the only Fran Vasquez jersey in Orlando...ok so it's an Adidas jersey shirt but close enough. It's a big joke in my mind but the other night while some friends and I were walking out of the game some people behind us were completely confused by it. They were saying that it had to be my last name, no sain person would ever have a Fran jersey, well let me tell you all, I am no sain person.
Happy New Year!
I often wonder, if my Grandmother had miraculously sprouted a pair of testicles whilst my Grandfather was alive, would I then have to also refer to her as Grandfather? -rtillaree
Posts: 10084 | Location: Trying to figure out why the Fan Voice Blog gets 10 views and JJ/Carlos/Jameer/SVG sucks threads get a million views | Registered: February 15, 2006
Originally posted by bhnole: Honestly I think Gortat needs to be Mr. Nasty off the bench. He has the size and strength to intimidate and his father was an Olympic Medalist in boxing. So I am sure he was taught enough by his old man to hold his own.
Well, I too would have thought that someone nicknamed the "Warlock" and someone who trains with bears (he trains with friggin bears!!!) would be a bit tougher. However, I was disappointed with his performance last night against the Heat. The Heat are hardly a tough interior team and yet they seemed to get every hard rebound while Gortat was in the game.
It was just one game, and I really like the Warlock. Still, come playoff time, he will have to step up every game.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
From what I've seen Gortat isn't a natural rebounder. He boxes out hard and if the rebound comes to him he will grab it and that's about it. I don't think I've seen him grab a rebound outside of his area yet.
He's much more effective as a defender.
Quote from Davcicic, "I love the Magic so much that I would take them to the back of the school and get them Pregnant!!!!"
Posts: 8105 | Location: Playing another game of "What the hell is PEC talking about this time?" | Registered: March 13, 2006
I always seem to catch this blog a week after it's been written and any response will go unnoticed...Good Stuff!
Yes, you should pity Mike Miller. Not necessarily because MM the player deserves better, but he seems like a geniunely good guy with a horrible haircut who is physically breaking down.
True story, I used to see Miller in Memphis often, and he typically wore a Miller high life hat. Kinda funny if you ask me.
A few observations I'd like to dump on this thread...
If you need to wear a mouth piece, it's just disgusting when you take it out of your mouth ALL THE TIME. And, yes, I'm talking to you Jameer & Battie.
Hedo has a serious case of OCD, am I the only person who's noticed this? What makes it humerous is that his impulses contradict each other. He licks his hands at every dead ball, then whips his hands on his jersey every time he's dribbling the ball up court.
Lastly, could somebody point Marcin to a beach, or tanning salon. He's been in Orlando nearly 2 years and looks allergic to the sun.
"I'm still intirigued about Ryan Anderson. Only problem is he may be just a little more physical version of Brian Cook." - SmackDaddy
"I think he's much better than those two (Garrity & Cook). I think he'll be a much bigger asset than Battie. I still think he's a finesse player who fails to address the Magic's need". - KITNO (epic RA hater) Sig: An AddiFB Joint
Posts: 4395 | Location: Watching Raheem Morris turn the Bucs into a laughing stock again | Registered: January 28, 2008
I think the trade of Mike Miller, even though it led to a brief burst for us, was the beginning of the end for McGrady in Orlando. He and Miller were good buddies.
The mouthpiece thing is gross. Did you hear Courtney Lee describing his sick alley-oop to Battie the other night? He said "I saw Battie with his mouthpiece out..." So, is that a signal? When Battie spits his mouthpiece out, he's ready to make a play?
RE: Gortat and his "tan"...I think it is funny the various things that American's take for granted that the foreign-born players don't pick up on, like tanning in Florida. I think Warlocks pretty much try to avoid the sun.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
orlandomagiczone.com 
