As a rule, I try not to draw conclusions from regular season games. In an 82 game season, it’s important to look at overall trends, and not get caught up with singular blemishes, especially since even trends can be misleading as far as playoff success. However, there are certain regular season games that can teach us about the bigger picture. And last night, a seemingly insignificant game, with a seemingly insignificant result, blew open the Eastern playoffs race.
New Orleans 117, Orlando 123
The Magic needed a huge comeback from 17 down to barely beat a borderline playoff team without it’s best (by far) player, it’s starting 2 guard, and it’s starting center (Emeka Okafor played only 9 minutes because of foul trouble). And yet, I feel like this is the game that raised Orlando from “still a contender but need a couple of lucky breaks and/or some serious soul searching to pull anything off” to “STILL A CONTENDER”. Why?
Vince Carter.
I a rare performance usually reserved for players who don’t wear undershirts and aren’t scumbags, Vince went off for 48 points on an array of threes, mid range jumpers, and drives. The type of performance that makes you forget that Vince has been disappointing everything that moves for the past 12 years and say to yourself “man, maybe he can still get it and amount to something?”
There was something else about last night, though. It wasn’t just the 48 points, the 19 for 27 shooting, the inability to miss, or the fact that his shot was so smooth that most of his jumpers didn’t even touch the net on their way down, let alone the rim. Vince always had the ability to explode, even if it was nowhere to be found so far this entire season. But last night’s Vince scored within the flow of the game. He didn’t force shots, give or take a heat check or two: He drove to the rim, he got open looks of double teams and screens, and when it didn’t work he moved the ball. In fact, despite his offensive explosion, his most impressive move, to me, was a beautiful behind the back pass when posting up, finding Matt Barnes for a layup. Which was fitting, because at his best, Vince is an all-around offensive dynamo, and not just a volume scorer.
And perhaps most importantly, his teammates were actually looking for him. And it wasn’t because Stan Van Gundy drew up a play. It wasn’t like the January Boston game, where Vince was the go-to-guy on the last play, but every player on the floor and every single viewer at home knew he was going to mess things up, before J.J. Redick was luckily unable to find him, gave the ball to Rashard Lewis, and Shard sank the game winner. No. They were looking for him because they knew he was going to win the game. And for all the Xs and Os, basketball is a game of instinct, a game of feel. A feel that was missing to this Magic squad since Hedo Turkoglu left the team.
I supported the de facto Vince-for-Hedo move, because Vince is a better player than Hedo. He’s a better scorer, a better defender, a better rebounder, and can be effective on offense without the entire game running through him. Talent wise, this deal was a total wash for the Magic. But with Vince, it was never about talent, it was about the intangibles. It was about fitting in. And the intangibles were terrible. The chemistry was non existent. Vince has shown nothing of the qualities that made him one of the best players in the NBA, instead showing the qualities that denied him from playing any meaningful games in his career. Forcing shots, disrupting team play, showing no effort what-so-ever, and ultimately, underachieving. When January came to an end with Vince averaging 8.7 points per game on 28 percent shooting, I was surprised that Vince was THAT bad, and I knew he couldn’t possibly get any worse, but having watched the games, it made sense. He was just awful.
Well, for 3 of the past 4 games, culminating on Monday, he played like Vince should play. And the Magic need that Vince. With bad Vince, they are not winning the title. No way. With good Vince? Anything can happen. So yes, maybe the regular season doesn’t mean anything. Maybe last night just gives Vince motivation to take even more bad shots, and hog the ball, and make every basketball fan shake with rage whenever he takes the court, before finally shutting down for the season because of a stubbed toe. And history shows that will probably happen. To be completely honest, if I had to place a bet, gun to my head, I'd say that in three months I probably look back at this post in sorrow as Vince struggles to multiple 4-17 nights in the playoffs. But last night shows that it’s possible. Good Vince is in their somewhere. We can only hope he’s alive come May.
Showing posts with label Orlando Magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orlando Magic. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Orlando Magic
Coach: Stan Van Gundy
Last Season: 59-23, Lost in NBA Finals
Key Additions: Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson (Trade, New Jersey Nets), Brandon Bass (Free Agent, Dallas), Matt Barnes (FA, Phoenix), Jason Williams (FA)
Key Losses: Hedo Turkoglu (Free Agent, sign-and-trade to Toronto), Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie (Trade, Nets)
Offseason: I already covered the Magic’s offseason extensively over here, but to sum it up, this is a team coming off a surprising Finals defeat, looking to take it to the next level. They started off by smartly declining overpaying an aging, overrated Hedo Turkoglu. This isn’t to slight Hedo, who is a very good player, but the Magic were on national TV so much, that people were focusing on what he can do (pass, handle the ball, score in the clutch) on not on the fact that he isn’t a good defender, at that at age 30, he is what he is, and not for a very long time. Instead, the Magic swung a great deal with the Nets, bringing in a better player, defender, scorer in Vince Carter. Obviously, Vince is also no kid either (33 in January), but he is still an all-star caliber player (undeservedly excluded from last year’s squad due to Devin Harris’ emergence, and the coaches’ tendency not to award bad teams with two all-stars), and his contract (16 million this season, 17 million next) is much more manageable than the 5 years, 50 million Hedo got from Toronto. Specifically, Vince is a better shot creator than Hedo, a much better defender, and as good a passer, despite the rep Hedo has gained from last season’s playoffs. With first team NBA center Dwight Howard, together with Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson, the Magic can now trot up a lineup consisting almost only of all-stars. Not many teams can say that.
The incredible thing about the Carter deal was how little the Magic had to give up. Losing Courtney Lee hurts, after he gave the Magic quality minutes as a rookie, showing that he is fully capable of taking big shots and guarding top perimeter players in the playoffs. However, with the Magic in win-now mode, giving Lee up for all-star talent is more than a solid bargain. Tony Battie and Rafer Alston were included in the trade because of their expiring contracts – Battie won’t be much of a loss, giving only scarce minutes behind Dwight Howard, and Alston is expandable with Jameer Nelson returning from shoulder injury. And if that trade wasn’t great enough for Orlando, they also got Ryan Anderson from the Nets – a hustling, rebounding, 3 point shooting power forward that fits this team like a glove. Anderson showed a lot of potential with the Nets during his rookie campaign, and at the tender age of 21, was a huge long term pickup.
The Magic also struck gold with free agency. Matt Barnes is another player of the Rashard Lewis mold, that tall, athletic small forward that can play at the 4 and knock down shots. In addition, Barnes is a great defender, fitting in well with the Magic, who led the league in defensive efficiency last season. Brandon Bass is another underrated signing – he enables the Magic to play a more traditional line up with him at the 4, providing great defense, hustle, and a very underrated mid-range jumper. Resigning Marcin Gortat, coming off a breakthrough campaign, was probably done mainly to keep him as an asset for a future trade, since he costs a lot of money for a backup center (5 years, 34 million), but as long as he’s on the team, he’ll be one of the best backup centers in the league. Jason Williams was brought on to replace Alston as a backup point guard, though he might compete with Anthony Johnson for the job. All in all, a fantastic offseason – the Magic now go two deep at every position, have assembled plenty of talent that fits with their style of play, can go both small and big, and have the reigning Defensive Player Of The Year. Way to build on a successful playoff.
X-Factors:
- Vince Carter: Vince has superstar ability, but throughout his career, has never really showed willingness to carry a team. Then again, he was never on a truly great team. Most of his teams were second round material at best, and they rarely underachieved. So which Vince is Orlando getting? The one who jacks up bad shots, disrupts his team, then fakes injury when things go south? Or the durable Vince from the past few seasons? Vinsanity, or Half Man, Half Ice Pack? If Vince fits in with this team, offensively and defensively, then watch out. If not, Dwight may get very jealous of Toronto’s Turkish community.
- Dwight Howards’s offense: Dwight took it up a notch defensively last season, upgrading from a top-notch rebounder and shot blocker, into a dominant, all around defender. However, he doesn’t really have a lot of offensive moves. Most of his points come of putbacks, offensive rebounds, dunks, and poorly shot free throws. If he can find a way to consistently score in the post and knock down free throws, Orlando’s offense will have so many weapons that it will be impossible to contain, and Dwight might get himself an MVP or two.
- Jameer Nelson’s shoulder: After years of solid, yet unspectacular play, Jameer Nelson finally fulfilled his potential, blowing up for almost 17 points on 50% shooting, 5.4 assists, and an all-star spot. However, in early February, he tore the labrum in his right shoulder, effectively ending his season. Jameer shockingly returned for the Finals, way ahead of schedule, but was clearly not fully healthy, and was ineffective. After trading Alston, who was brought at the last trading deadline as Nelson’s replacement, the Magic will have a huge hole at point guard if Jameer is not at full strength. And with the other title contenders stacking up as well during the offseason, the Magic just can’t afford that.
- Clutch: Last season Hedo was the Magic’s clutch player, whether he took the big shots, or created them for others. Now he’s north of the border, and that clutch player role is empty. Jameer Nelson filled it for the Magic in the past, but he is returning from injury. Vince and Rashard haven’t exactly failed in the clutch in their career, but haven’t given reasons to trust them in those situations either. And Dwight, as mentioned, still isn’t a trustworthy option when points are needed. In the playoffs, when games are tight, the Magic will need someone to step up, or they will lose – they have the whole regular season to find out who that person will be, but it has to happen.
Prediction: The Magic had a wonderful offseason, and the clearly improved their squad. They might start the season slowly, taking time to adjust to the new roster, and because of Rashard Lewis’ 10 game suspension after failing a drug test. Still, the Magic are a clear-cut top 3 in the East, and top 5 in the league. With the other contenders making significant offseason moves themselves, it will be tough to know which one is better until they actually meet in may, but in my eyes, what the Magic have now puts them at 59-23, 2nd in East, and a shade under Cleveland as far as their chances for a repeat Finals appearance.
Last Season: 59-23, Lost in NBA Finals
Key Additions: Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson (Trade, New Jersey Nets), Brandon Bass (Free Agent, Dallas), Matt Barnes (FA, Phoenix), Jason Williams (FA)
Key Losses: Hedo Turkoglu (Free Agent, sign-and-trade to Toronto), Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie (Trade, Nets)
Offseason: I already covered the Magic’s offseason extensively over here, but to sum it up, this is a team coming off a surprising Finals defeat, looking to take it to the next level. They started off by smartly declining overpaying an aging, overrated Hedo Turkoglu. This isn’t to slight Hedo, who is a very good player, but the Magic were on national TV so much, that people were focusing on what he can do (pass, handle the ball, score in the clutch) on not on the fact that he isn’t a good defender, at that at age 30, he is what he is, and not for a very long time. Instead, the Magic swung a great deal with the Nets, bringing in a better player, defender, scorer in Vince Carter. Obviously, Vince is also no kid either (33 in January), but he is still an all-star caliber player (undeservedly excluded from last year’s squad due to Devin Harris’ emergence, and the coaches’ tendency not to award bad teams with two all-stars), and his contract (16 million this season, 17 million next) is much more manageable than the 5 years, 50 million Hedo got from Toronto. Specifically, Vince is a better shot creator than Hedo, a much better defender, and as good a passer, despite the rep Hedo has gained from last season’s playoffs. With first team NBA center Dwight Howard, together with Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson, the Magic can now trot up a lineup consisting almost only of all-stars. Not many teams can say that.
The incredible thing about the Carter deal was how little the Magic had to give up. Losing Courtney Lee hurts, after he gave the Magic quality minutes as a rookie, showing that he is fully capable of taking big shots and guarding top perimeter players in the playoffs. However, with the Magic in win-now mode, giving Lee up for all-star talent is more than a solid bargain. Tony Battie and Rafer Alston were included in the trade because of their expiring contracts – Battie won’t be much of a loss, giving only scarce minutes behind Dwight Howard, and Alston is expandable with Jameer Nelson returning from shoulder injury. And if that trade wasn’t great enough for Orlando, they also got Ryan Anderson from the Nets – a hustling, rebounding, 3 point shooting power forward that fits this team like a glove. Anderson showed a lot of potential with the Nets during his rookie campaign, and at the tender age of 21, was a huge long term pickup.
The Magic also struck gold with free agency. Matt Barnes is another player of the Rashard Lewis mold, that tall, athletic small forward that can play at the 4 and knock down shots. In addition, Barnes is a great defender, fitting in well with the Magic, who led the league in defensive efficiency last season. Brandon Bass is another underrated signing – he enables the Magic to play a more traditional line up with him at the 4, providing great defense, hustle, and a very underrated mid-range jumper. Resigning Marcin Gortat, coming off a breakthrough campaign, was probably done mainly to keep him as an asset for a future trade, since he costs a lot of money for a backup center (5 years, 34 million), but as long as he’s on the team, he’ll be one of the best backup centers in the league. Jason Williams was brought on to replace Alston as a backup point guard, though he might compete with Anthony Johnson for the job. All in all, a fantastic offseason – the Magic now go two deep at every position, have assembled plenty of talent that fits with their style of play, can go both small and big, and have the reigning Defensive Player Of The Year. Way to build on a successful playoff.
X-Factors:
- Vince Carter: Vince has superstar ability, but throughout his career, has never really showed willingness to carry a team. Then again, he was never on a truly great team. Most of his teams were second round material at best, and they rarely underachieved. So which Vince is Orlando getting? The one who jacks up bad shots, disrupts his team, then fakes injury when things go south? Or the durable Vince from the past few seasons? Vinsanity, or Half Man, Half Ice Pack? If Vince fits in with this team, offensively and defensively, then watch out. If not, Dwight may get very jealous of Toronto’s Turkish community.
- Dwight Howards’s offense: Dwight took it up a notch defensively last season, upgrading from a top-notch rebounder and shot blocker, into a dominant, all around defender. However, he doesn’t really have a lot of offensive moves. Most of his points come of putbacks, offensive rebounds, dunks, and poorly shot free throws. If he can find a way to consistently score in the post and knock down free throws, Orlando’s offense will have so many weapons that it will be impossible to contain, and Dwight might get himself an MVP or two.
- Jameer Nelson’s shoulder: After years of solid, yet unspectacular play, Jameer Nelson finally fulfilled his potential, blowing up for almost 17 points on 50% shooting, 5.4 assists, and an all-star spot. However, in early February, he tore the labrum in his right shoulder, effectively ending his season. Jameer shockingly returned for the Finals, way ahead of schedule, but was clearly not fully healthy, and was ineffective. After trading Alston, who was brought at the last trading deadline as Nelson’s replacement, the Magic will have a huge hole at point guard if Jameer is not at full strength. And with the other title contenders stacking up as well during the offseason, the Magic just can’t afford that.
- Clutch: Last season Hedo was the Magic’s clutch player, whether he took the big shots, or created them for others. Now he’s north of the border, and that clutch player role is empty. Jameer Nelson filled it for the Magic in the past, but he is returning from injury. Vince and Rashard haven’t exactly failed in the clutch in their career, but haven’t given reasons to trust them in those situations either. And Dwight, as mentioned, still isn’t a trustworthy option when points are needed. In the playoffs, when games are tight, the Magic will need someone to step up, or they will lose – they have the whole regular season to find out who that person will be, but it has to happen.
Prediction: The Magic had a wonderful offseason, and the clearly improved their squad. They might start the season slowly, taking time to adjust to the new roster, and because of Rashard Lewis’ 10 game suspension after failing a drug test. Still, the Magic are a clear-cut top 3 in the East, and top 5 in the league. With the other contenders making significant offseason moves themselves, it will be tough to know which one is better until they actually meet in may, but in my eyes, what the Magic have now puts them at 59-23, 2nd in East, and a shade under Cleveland as far as their chances for a repeat Finals appearance.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Do you believe in Magic?
No? Well, you should.
The Orlando Magic, less than two months removed from a 4-1 loss to the LA Lakers in the NBA finals, are finally doing what we want to see from almost-champions - getting better. No cutting back financially, no getting young and aiming for 3 years from now, just good, old-fashioned improvement. And boy, is that working great.
The Magic's offseason can be summarized to this: Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie for Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson, Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes. While Hedo shined last year in the playoffs, he isn't as good as Toronto's 55 million, 5 year offer would suggest - basically, he's a 30 year old who gives you 15-17 points, 5 red 5 assists. Vince Carter - despite all his bad rep - gives you at least a 20, 5 and 5, and is better at creating his own shot. The only thing the Magic might miss Hedo is his playmaking abilities, but Carter is a very underrated passer, and with a healthy Jameer Nelson, they should be fine.
Apart from replacing their biggest offseason loss with a better player, the Magic addressed another problem: their dependence on Dwight Howard. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year averaged for 13.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game - the whole team, including Howard, averaged 43.25 and 5.35, meaning Howard accounted for loosely 32% of the team's rebonds, and 55% of their blocks. In fact, the Cleveland Cavaliers based their whole offensive scheme in the Eastern Finals on attacking Howard with the hope fouling him out, and opening the middle. Well, no more. with the signing of Brandon Bass, the Magic get a strong, defensive, rebounding PF to play with Howard in the frontcourt. This enables Rashard Lewis to move back to his more natural position at small forward, no longer needing to guard the Dirk Nowitzki's and Pau Gasol's of the world. Combined with the Magic re-signing Marcin Gortat - even though 34 million over 5 years for a career backup seems a bit much, Gortat could probably start for most NBA teams and has played very well in limited minutes - the Magic now have a very strong frontcourt.
With the newly acquired experience of playing in the finals, the NBA's most dominant defensive force, 4 all-stars, and maybe the deepest team in the league (the Magic are 2 deep at every position, though they could use a better backup point guard than Anthony Johnson - they reportedly went after CJ Watson before signing Barnes), the Magic will be force to be reckoned with next season. And in a league where we see players being moved around for financial relief on a daily basis, their effort to improve instead of standing pat and hoping for the best should be applauded.
The Orlando Magic, less than two months removed from a 4-1 loss to the LA Lakers in the NBA finals, are finally doing what we want to see from almost-champions - getting better. No cutting back financially, no getting young and aiming for 3 years from now, just good, old-fashioned improvement. And boy, is that working great.
The Magic's offseason can be summarized to this: Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie for Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson, Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes. While Hedo shined last year in the playoffs, he isn't as good as Toronto's 55 million, 5 year offer would suggest - basically, he's a 30 year old who gives you 15-17 points, 5 red 5 assists. Vince Carter - despite all his bad rep - gives you at least a 20, 5 and 5, and is better at creating his own shot. The only thing the Magic might miss Hedo is his playmaking abilities, but Carter is a very underrated passer, and with a healthy Jameer Nelson, they should be fine.
Apart from replacing their biggest offseason loss with a better player, the Magic addressed another problem: their dependence on Dwight Howard. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year averaged for 13.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game - the whole team, including Howard, averaged 43.25 and 5.35, meaning Howard accounted for loosely 32% of the team's rebonds, and 55% of their blocks. In fact, the Cleveland Cavaliers based their whole offensive scheme in the Eastern Finals on attacking Howard with the hope fouling him out, and opening the middle. Well, no more. with the signing of Brandon Bass, the Magic get a strong, defensive, rebounding PF to play with Howard in the frontcourt. This enables Rashard Lewis to move back to his more natural position at small forward, no longer needing to guard the Dirk Nowitzki's and Pau Gasol's of the world. Combined with the Magic re-signing Marcin Gortat - even though 34 million over 5 years for a career backup seems a bit much, Gortat could probably start for most NBA teams and has played very well in limited minutes - the Magic now have a very strong frontcourt.
With the newly acquired experience of playing in the finals, the NBA's most dominant defensive force, 4 all-stars, and maybe the deepest team in the league (the Magic are 2 deep at every position, though they could use a better backup point guard than Anthony Johnson - they reportedly went after CJ Watson before signing Barnes), the Magic will be force to be reckoned with next season. And in a league where we see players being moved around for financial relief on a daily basis, their effort to improve instead of standing pat and hoping for the best should be applauded.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)