Last Season Record: (59-23)
Additions: Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams, Linton Johnson, Morris Almond, Ryan Anderson
Subtractions: Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie
Last year's Eastern Conference Champions shocked and disappointed the world (and David Stern) when they eliminated Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the Conference Finals. The Magic defeated the Cavs by frustrating their opponent with they're size and favorable mismatches that allowed Hedo Tukoglu and Rashard Lewis to exploit smaller players attempting to guard them. They ultimately came up short against a Lakers team that created several mismatches of their own, but the season was still considered a success.
Coming into the 2009-2010 season, Orlando has made some significant changes to their roster. They lost their best fourth quarter player in Hedo Turkoglu, up and coming rookie Courtney Lee, and Rafer Alston. Although those can bee seen as major losses, their replacements bring improved elements of the game to the roster and give them a better chance of returning to the finals where the road will be a lot more difficult than it was last year. The most important addition to the team in the offseason was Vince Carter. He is going to be there to fill the role left by Turkoglu of fourth quarter go to guy when a big shot is needed. Carter has gotten plenty of negative criticism in recent years stemming from his admission of "doggin it" during his final years in Toronto. The knock on Carter has always been his work ethic, but no one can deny the talent that he still possesses. Last season he averaged 20.8 ppg, 4.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds. That's four ppg better than Turkoglu with around the same assists and rebounds average.
Keep in mind that Vince was playing with a supporting cast far more inferior in talent than Orlando's. Carter now has the opportunity to play with a dominant big man in Howard who will take the attention off of him in the half court set. This gives the Magic another player who is able to create his own shot, something they seriously lacked last year. Aside from adding Vince Carter, they also rounded out the roster with quality supporting talent. Brandon Bass in a strong and active big man around the basket and give the Magic another body to put alongside Dwight Howard, Matt Barnes gives them another deadly weapon from behind the arc, and retaining Marcin Gortat will give yet another big bodiy to have for a potential rematch with the Cavs and Shaq.
On paper the Magic look like a team who can be stronger than their squad last year. The main focus at the start of the season will be building chemistry and assimilating Vince Carter into their style of play; the other pieces they acquired should fit in seamlessly. With Dwight Howard improving every year, the return of Jameer Nelson, and newcomers Vince Carter, Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes on board, the Magic have a their best chance to bring their first title to Disney World.
Prediction: 1st in Southeast Division/2nd in Eastern Conference
Additions: Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams, Linton Johnson, Morris Almond, Ryan Anderson
Subtractions: Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie
Last year's Eastern Conference Champions shocked and disappointed the world (and David Stern) when they eliminated Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the Conference Finals. The Magic defeated the Cavs by frustrating their opponent with they're size and favorable mismatches that allowed Hedo Tukoglu and Rashard Lewis to exploit smaller players attempting to guard them. They ultimately came up short against a Lakers team that created several mismatches of their own, but the season was still considered a success.
Coming into the 2009-2010 season, Orlando has made some significant changes to their roster. They lost their best fourth quarter player in Hedo Turkoglu, up and coming rookie Courtney Lee, and Rafer Alston. Although those can bee seen as major losses, their replacements bring improved elements of the game to the roster and give them a better chance of returning to the finals where the road will be a lot more difficult than it was last year. The most important addition to the team in the offseason was Vince Carter. He is going to be there to fill the role left by Turkoglu of fourth quarter go to guy when a big shot is needed. Carter has gotten plenty of negative criticism in recent years stemming from his admission of "doggin it" during his final years in Toronto. The knock on Carter has always been his work ethic, but no one can deny the talent that he still possesses. Last season he averaged 20.8 ppg, 4.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds. That's four ppg better than Turkoglu with around the same assists and rebounds average.
Keep in mind that Vince was playing with a supporting cast far more inferior in talent than Orlando's. Carter now has the opportunity to play with a dominant big man in Howard who will take the attention off of him in the half court set. This gives the Magic another player who is able to create his own shot, something they seriously lacked last year. Aside from adding Vince Carter, they also rounded out the roster with quality supporting talent. Brandon Bass in a strong and active big man around the basket and give the Magic another body to put alongside Dwight Howard, Matt Barnes gives them another deadly weapon from behind the arc, and retaining Marcin Gortat will give yet another big bodiy to have for a potential rematch with the Cavs and Shaq.
On paper the Magic look like a team who can be stronger than their squad last year. The main focus at the start of the season will be building chemistry and assimilating Vince Carter into their style of play; the other pieces they acquired should fit in seamlessly. With Dwight Howard improving every year, the return of Jameer Nelson, and newcomers Vince Carter, Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes on board, the Magic have a their best chance to bring their first title to Disney World.
Prediction: 1st in Southeast Division/2nd in Eastern Conference
Good Shit Musa!I agree with your article.Orlando added a superstar and great role players.Vince Carter is a much needed two guard.Brandon Bass is an over looked pickup and Matt Barnes is an excellent role player with mutiple skills.Ryan Anderson is a solid jumpshooter off the bench,and JJreddick is a good bench player who impressed me in the playoffs and should get more time.Orlando will battle with Clevand and the mighty Celtics for the East.Expect a monster season from Dwight Howard.My sleeper team in the east is the Indiana Pacers.They have a very solid starting lineup in TJford,Brandon Rush,All star Danny Granger,Troy Rebounding Murphy and Roy Hibbert.Expect a solid year from the second year center.They will get the six or seventh seed or maybe even the fifth seed.That is my sleeper team in the east.Keep up the good work Mansa!
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