| Lottery Summit: Orlando Magic Authored by Andrew Perna & The RGM Magic Forum - June 19, 2008 - 11:16 am
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The Orlando Magic:
2007-08 Record: 52-30
Difference From 2006-07: Twelve More Wins
Playoff Result: Lost In Five To Detroit (Semifinals)
Restricted Free Agents: James Augustine
Unrestricted Free Agents: Carlos Arroyo, Keith Bogans (P), Keyon Dooling, Maurice Evans, Adonal Foyle (P), Pat Garrity
The Verdicts
1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?
MagicFan149: More free throws and fewer turnovers.
UCFJayBird: If they played their game. The Magic were too quick to submit to playing the type of basketball their opponents wanted to play.
AdamTheGreek: Our guys panicked and tried to force themselves back into games, often leading to extra turnovers and worsening the scenario. Free throws played a massive role in the overall outcome of our losses as well.
eyriq: In the end it came down to turnovers, so playing more controlled would have gone a long way.
tlloyd34: Turnovers and free throws! I don't get upset when the Magic create turnovers when they take chances, but there were too many times that they turned the ball over on simple plays and passes. The free throws speak for themselves, especially down the stretch.
CPBalla2003 n da 863: Something that killed them in the past, controlling the turnovers and grabbing defensive rebounds. The Pistons had far better margins in both areas.
SD2042: If we didn’t play against Detroit (just kidding). Playing better defense and crashing the boards against the Pistons, while capitalizing at the foul line and keeping the turnovers down to a minimum.
magicfanejc42: The Magic just needed to play more maturely. They played scared and due to that turnovers and ruined us. Not to mention if a call didn't go our way, we seemed to lose a bit of confidence.
MitchellUK: Overall execution on both ends, with free throws and turnovers a major issue on offense and protecting the lane a problem on defense. Hedo Turkoglu in particular disappointed me after having such a good regular season, he was sloppy and generally sub-par against Detroit.
2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
MagicFan149: The team’s biggest strength is definitely when the ball is moving. Easy shots come from ball movement, and when that happens the Magic are successful.
UCFJayBird: Scoring. More specifically, shooting a high percentage from behind the arc.
AdamTheGreek: We were unstoppable when we moved the ball around and spread the floor for open looks. Also post-up mismatches with Rashard Lewis and Hedo worked when utilized (which wasn't enough).
eyriq: Three-point shooting and Dwight Howard’s domination in the paint.
tlloyd34: Orlando did an amazing job of creating mismatches on the offensive end. We had the ability to spread the floor with two versatile 6'10" forwards, who could open the floor for Howard.
CPBalla2003 n da 863: Being able to score in different ways. The inside game with Howard, three-point shooting and the ability to get to the rim all worked at times for the Magic.
SD2042: The offense was Orlando's biggest strength this season, especially with the addition of Shard's offense and Hedo's improvement. The Magic were a superior threat on the perimeter. Also, D-12's power game on the inside was another plus for the Magic on both ends of the floor.
magicfanejc42: Of course, our biggest strength was the fact that we had mismatches in the front court, which led to the abundance of three-point shots.
MitchellUK: Over the course of the entire year, our general offensive play was excellent. The team rarely struggled to score.
3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
MagicFan149: This easily goes to Hedo. Without him the season would have been different for sure. He had career-highs in almost every category, enough said.
UCFJayBird: Turkoglu, the league's Most Improved Player. No one expected him to explode the way he did, and he took the league by storm.
AdamTheGreek: Hedo. I knew after last season he'd continue to improve, but few thought that he'd end up with the ball in his hands at the end of games. His game is so versatile that he has several options when attacking, and his defense is underrated.
eyriq: Turkoglu stepped up big time on his way to a 19/6/5 year. He wasn’t our MVP, but he was instrumental in our success.
tlloyd34: The league agreed that Hedo was the Most Improved Player in the league. Although we knew he would get better, I don't think anyone thought he would be an all-star candidate, our go-to guy down the stretch and be our main ball handler at times.
CPBalla2003 n da 863: Turkoglu. I knew he would have a bigger role with Brian Hill gone, but I did not expect him to explode into the all-around player he became.
SD2042: Got to give Hedo his props. His game this season was a great boost for the offense. My favorite moment was when he made the winning three-pointer at the buzzer when the Magic played against the Celtics at home.
magicfanejc42: Easily Hedo. Last year, with the "turk-o-flu" he was almost useless. With a summer of rest and conditioning, he came back with a vengeance.
MitchellUK: Definitely Turkoglu. To step up and have a borderline All-Star season, be named MIP and play the way he did after years of being average was great to see. Also, post All-Star, Jameer Nelson made great strides. The way he improved on both ends of the floor from February onwards, particularly his distribution, shooting and cutting down on turnovers, was a pleasant surprise.
4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
MagicFan149: Ineffective? That’s hard for me. Everyone that played had a positive impact on the team at times. Someone I thought that would contribute more than they did though would Carlos Arroyo.
UCFJayBird: Adonal Foyle. We expected him to come in and provide a defensive presence off the bench, instead he averaged career-lows in minutes, points, rebounds and blocks.
AdamTheGreek: J.J. Redick. Going into this season with the new coaching staff, I knew Stan Van Gundy could utilize a fantastic shooter like Redick. He has a reputation as a tough-worker and I figured he'd be ready to contribute, but apparently he wasn't and once again found himself on the bench.
eyriq: Redick. I know it’s lame to list him, but with Keith Bogans and Keyon Dooling starting the year as the only other two-guards, you'd think he'd have earned some playing time.
tlloyd34: A few years ago we pursed Foyle in free agency with our MLE, but we were able to sign him to the veteran's minimum last summer as a solid back-up to Dwight. When Adonal came into the game our production dropped dramatically, so much so that Van Gundy relied on rookie Marcin Gortat to play those minutes in the postseason.
CPBalla2003 n da 863: The shooting guards. The NBA is dominated by talented swingman, and our shooting guards were Bogans, Redick and Maurice Evans.
SD2042: Brian Cook, Pat Garrity, Foyle, Bogans, Arroyo and Redick.
magicfanejc42: We always have a number of ineffective players on our roster it seems, but the one that should and can produce is Redick. Once again he was beaten out by two players that would be third stringers on most teams. As an 11th pick and one of the all-time best college shooters, you would expect more out of him.
MitchellUK: I didn't want to sing the same tune as everyone else, but Redick. I really expected him to at least find twelve minutes per game and contribute something this season. I don't want to give up on him yet, and would like nothing more than for him to succeed with Orlando, but I am starting to lose hope that he is ever going to do anything in a Magic uniform.
5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
MagicFan149: I’m pretty confident. The draft is deep and we have the MLE to offer in free agency, so we should be successful. I don’t see the team changing much this offseason, but the moves we make should be positive.
UCFJayBird: For the first time in a long time, I'm very confident in our front office. Since becoming the general manager, Otis Smith has done a fantastic job. From hiring Stan Van Gundy, to putting the pieces around Dwight Howard – he’s been great. He also finally got us out of the first round of the playoffs.
AdamTheGreek: Otis has been given an extension and has to earn it now come the offseason. I've been very happy with Smith when it has come to free agency (he didn't overpay for Rashard, because the Cavaliers had $110 million down for him), but Dave Twardzik has been a bad scout and I worry that even with all the depth in this draft, we could fail.
eyriq: I’m cautiously optimistic at this point, though I don't expect to see much creativity. I would love to be proven wrong, but right now my confidence in them to maximize this offseason is roughly a five out of ten.
tlloyd34: I believe Smith has shown a commitment to spending money to build us into a championship team, whether or not we agree with the signings. I have a lot of confidence that the front office will continue to take risks and make tough decisions to get us the pieces needed.
CPBalla2003 n da 863: I think Otis notices the three glaring spots that need to be filled – power forward, shooting guard and backup point guard. Battie is coming back, so Smith has options in the draft and free agency.
SD2042: I have confidence in the Magic front office to do what's necessary to help the team get better in the offseason.
magicfanejc42: We seem to have more confidence than ever before. Otis got his extension and seems confident that he will get the job done. Plus, the owner really loves this team and wants the best for it. That will allow Otis to do exactly what it takes to win.
MitchellUK: I can't really quantify it. The rumors and mock drafts coming out have me quietly confident that we are going to pick a player that will make a positive impact. There are players to be had in free agency that could help this team move forward, and with the current core, attracting said free agents should be doable. However, I like many others know this team's history of poor personnel decisions.
6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
MagicFan149: A shooting guard with range on his shot and the ability to defend and rebound. A backup big that can defend and rebound.
UCFJayBird: A defensive-minded guard that can shoot the three, and a defensive presence down low to pair next to Howard.
AdamTheGreek: I think it's imperative to draft a power forward that can either be a defensive and rebounding force next to Dwight, or can shoot and spread the floor to allow Dwight more one-on-ones space. A shooting guard is needed as well, but that can be filled in free agency or with a minor trade for a later pick.
eyriq: A big shooting guard, followed closely by a banger in the paint.
tlloyd34: With the return of Tony Battie, I don't believe that we "need" a big man, because Dwight plays most of the game and Rashard fills the four position as well. Our biggest weakness is at shooting guard.
CPBalla2003 n da 863: Shooting guard.
SD2042: Shooting guard, point guard and center.
magicfanejc42: With Battie coming back, our biggest need is a big, defensive two-guard.
MitchellUK: Since Foyle has opted out and we finally have an idea of how healthy Battie is going to be, a big body to man the paint with Dwight is still needed.
7. Who would you like your team to select?
MagicFan149: Chris Douglas-Roberts or Brandon Rush would be great, but if I had to choose it would be CDR. Picking up Joey Dorsey in the second round would make for the best draft we’ve had in quite sometime.
UCFJayBird: Some that are likely to be available are D.J. White, Dorsey and Jason Thompson in terms of a big man. If they plan to go after a shooting guard Bill Walker or Douglas-Roberts would be excellent choices.
AdamTheGreek: There's a lot of Greek bias in this, but I've seen Kostas Koufos in college and on the international level. He's a stud that has fantastic shooting range (think KG with a 3-pointer). His ball handling skills are great and he can drive to the hole on a slower defender. His youth will allow him to improve on defense, where he can be an effective shot blocker.
eyriq: In order of most preferred: Marreese Speights, Koufos, Nicolas Batum, CDR and Rush. If we grab a second choice: Dorsey, Alexis Ajinca, Richard Hendrix, J.J. Hickson, White, Courtney Lee or Shan Foster.
tlloyd34: I hope we will draft a shooting guard with potential to grow into a solid starter. I would like to see what kind of player Douglas-Roberts could grow into alongside our current players.
CPBalla2003 n da 863: I'm either happy with Rush or Douglas-Roberts. Both can defend, hit the three and have the potential to be better than anyone we currently have.
SD2042: I would like to see the Magic take CDR with the #22 pick. If the Magic somehow obtain another draft pick they should use it on either Mario Chambers or Lester Hudson.
magicfanejc42: You really don’t know who will be there, but this is my order of preference of people projected to be in our range: Donte Green, Rush, Speights, Koufos, Douglas-Roberts and Thompson. If we can slip in with another late first, or an early second, we could leave the draft with Speights/CDR and Chalmers
MitchellUK: Knowing that NBA franchises have a habit of passing on talented undersized power forwards (pretty much anyone under 6'9" seems to be deemed undersized, regardless of athletic prowess), I'd like to see Orlando buy an early second rounder and go after Hickson, Dorsey, White or Hendrix. That would leave #22 to fill the shooting guard void with either Rush, Douglas-Roberts or Lee.
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Andrew Perna is a Senior Writer for RealGM. If you’re a fan of one of the many teams that we have yet to feature, surf over to our forums and weigh in on what is happening within the organization. If you’d like to contact Andrew, shoot him an e-mail at Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
