Here is a little preview that I put together myself of our team for the season, enjoy! <div align="center"><u>Magic Preview 2006-2007</u></div> Additions: G Keith Bogans (free agency) G J.J Redick (1st round Draft pick) F James Augustine (2nd round Draft Pick) Subtractions: G DeShawn Stevenson (free agency to WAS) F Stacey Augmon (free agency, possible retirement) C Mario Kasun (free agency, Barcelona) Possible Starting Lineup: G Jameer Nelson (3rd year) G J.J Redick (Rookie) F Hedo Turkoglu (7th year) F Dwight Howard (3rd year) C Darko Milicic (4th year) Bench: G Carlos Arroyo C Tony Battie G Keith Bogans G Keyon Dooling F Trevor Ariza F James Augustine F Bo Outlaw Reserved: F Grant Hill F Pat Garrity G Travis Diener Summer: In the summer after their spectacular finish to the season of 2005-2006, the Orlando Magic were very quiet, making only minor changes to their lineup. The Magic offered Deshawn Stevenson a 3-year, 10 million dollar contract, which for a player of his caliber is very solid. To the Magic?s surprise he rejected the offer, thinking that he could get something in the range of 16 million dollars over 4 years. Stevenson ended up signing a 1.8 million dollar contract over 2 years with the Washington Wizards. To replace Stevenson, the Magic brought in former Magic guard Keith Bogans. Bogans, if you remember, was drafted by the Milwaukee bucks in the second round of star studded draft of 2003, then traded to the Magic on draft night. This past offseason also included the NBA draft in which the Magic had the 11th pick. After last years draft fell through for the Magic because they drafted Fran ?Balls on a leash? Vazquez with the 11th pick, they were trying to regroup this year. With the 11th pick of this years draft, many were expecting the Magic to nab Corey Brewer, Rodney Carney, or even move up in the draft to grab a guy like Rudy Gay or Brandon Roy, instead the Magic went with Duke sharpshooter J.J Redick, which is understandable because last year the Magic finished 22nd in the league in scoring and 29th in the league in 3 point field goals made per game at 3.5. In the second round, the Magic picked up Illinois big man James Augustine. While the Magic are loaded up front with Battie, Howard, Milicic, and Outlaw, you never know when one of those bigs can get injured, and it?s never bad to have an extra big on your squad, especially one that has 4 years of college experience. The other 2 players that left the Magic this past offseason were veteran defensive-stopper Stacey Augmon, and big man Mario Kasun, who left the Magic in order to sign a contract with Spanish powerhouse Barcelona. Strengths: The Orlando Magic have a lot of potential for the future. The strengths of this team are rebounding (Howard averaged 12 last season, 2nd only to Kevin Garnett), Shot blocking (Milicic showed that 2 ? years of practicing with the Pistons did pay off), passing (the Magic showed that they love to play with each other and make that one extra pass in the last 22 games of the season when they went 16-6), Bench (when you have Carlos Arroyo, Tony Battie, Keyon Dooling, Keith Bogans, an Improving Trevor Ariza, and even a semi-healthy Grant Hill, your team is extremely deep and can afford a little injury here and there) and finally team play (the Magic showed in the final 22 games of the season that a team game is much more effective than an individual game) Weaknesses: Three point shooting (even though the Magic picked up J.J Redick in the draft, and Keith Bogans who can shoot the three when needed, they will have to prove that they can hit the long bomb 6 to 8 times a game in order to be a great all around team), experience (it?s not something you can learn, but as the season moves along, players will gain more and more experience), point guards (sure the Magic have Nelson, and Arroyo, and Dooling, who is more of a 2 guard, but both of those players are extremely small. While Nelson plays with more heart than probably anybody in the league except for Iverson, there are certain 1?s in the league that will over power him. Chauncey Billups, Jason Terry, and Sam Cassell are just a few of many.), and finally the biggest weakness of the Magic, the shooting guard position (the Magic have Redick and Bogans neither of those players would be starters on a team the caliber of Detroit, or San Antonio, teams that GM Otis Smith said he wants to mold the Magic into.) What to Expect: You can expect the Magic to be a run-n-gun and Princeton offense team because they are just that versatile. Expect to see a lot more plays ran for Howard and Milicic in the post as well as Hedo Turkoglu and who ever is playing the 2-guard spot on the wing. You can also expect to see Grant Hill in a suit for 82+ games this season and Dwight Howard and maybe even Jameer Nelson in the All-star game representing your Magic this year. Record: 48-34 (second in the Southeast division, 4th in the Eastern Conference) Playoffs: Second round exit with a loss to the Heat, 4-2
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You can also expect to see Grant Hill in a suit for 82+ games this season </div> I found that typo worth a tiny chuckle. Sort of like when a girl let's out a fart and she giggles at herself. Anyway enough rambling, on to what Carter touched on. Fourth? That's a little too high for me. I'd be overjoyed if the Magic were a 7th/8th seed, more or less taking in homecourt advantage. I don't think that the Magic have the experience and skill (although the talent is evident, it just hasn't fully blossomed yet) to be such a good team. Even though they played extremely well the last set of games, I think that those final games tend to overhype fans a bit... A little bit of luck never hurt anyone, and besides, most teams aren't going to go at 100% near the end of the season when they're a lock for the playoffs or are just a lotto team hoping for the number one pick. I'd be content with 40-45 wins.
First off, THANK YOU FOR SPELLING JJ'S LAST NAME RIGHT!!!! 2nd off, welcome to the site. 3rd off, If we start JJ at SG, we're not gonna win more than 40 games this year(and that might squeak us into the playoffs). Jameer, JJ, and Hedo would be probably the worst defensive 1-2-3 in the history of the NBA. When you have Hedo Turkoglu guarding the best wing guy you know you will have trouble. That's why I really wanted to resign Stevenson, because he was the perfect SG for us. We need a SG that is defensive minded and can put up some points. That's why I'm glad we brought back Keith Bogans. Bogans WILL BE THE STARTER if we want to win ball games. I'm not saying he will get more minutes then JJ or Dooling at SG, but if we want to win games we will put Bogans in when Jameer and Hedo are on the floor together. When either gets subbed, then we will put in JJ/Dooling(I'm hoping). I agree about Darko starting. Him and Dwight will be a very good tandem in the future and should be pretty dominant on the glass and on defense this year. Darko is a perfect complement to Dwight, IMO. Overall I can see us winning around 40-44 games and getting around the 6th seed in the playoffs at best. We'll get eliminated in the first round, but I think we will put up a fight and the most important thing is to give the young guys some playoff experience. Overall a very good preview. I hope to see you stick around and continue to post quality posts like this. If you have any questions just let any of us know, we'd be happy to help you. btw, just a typo, it's Ronnie Brewer, not Corey Brewer. Corey is back in Gainesville for his junior season.
I don't know about you guys, but if we start off this year like we ended last year, we should be in great shape and have a shot at that 4-6 spot in the east. Also, I just saw that I put Corey Brewer instead of Ronnie, hahahaa...I watch Gator ball a lot so maybe that's why, I don't know...but as for spelling J.J's last name, how can you not spell it right, it's not that hard
Good overall thread except the Magic will prob. be 6th at the most in the playoff race. Hopefully, Keith Bogans and Darko start. Grant Hill playing 82+ games?? A little off there maybe but hopefully he can play at least 40 games if that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting d-money12:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know about you guys, but if we start off this year like we ended last year, we should be in great shape and have a shot at that 4-6 spot in the east. Also, I just saw that I put Corey Brewer instead of Ronnie, hahahaa...I watch Gator ball a lot so maybe that's why, I don't know...but as for spelling J.J's last name, how can you not spell it right, it's not that hard</div> Everyone spells it Reddick. I keep telling people that it's not Red Dick, just 1 d. So you watch Gator ball a lot? How do you feel our chances are this year? Good to see another Gator follower on the board.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheNCAA:</div><div class="quote_post">Everyone spells it Reddick. I keep telling people that it's not Red Dick, just 1 d. So you watch Gator ball a lot? How do you feel our chances are this year? Good to see another Gator follower on the board. </div> seriously, i love our chances this year...moss was the only one that left and he did nothing anyways...i seriously think it's gonna be us up there with ohio state this year
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting d-money12:</div><div class="quote_post">seriously, i love our chances this year...moss was the only one that left and he did nothing anyways...i seriously think it's gonna be us up there with ohio state this year</div> Yeah, we lose Moss and Huertas, but bring in a solid recrutiing class of 4 players, so we should have more depth. I don't think OSU is going to be that great though with Oden out for months. I like Kansas the best and UNC should be pretty good(not as good as their hype indicates though). It's just so hard to repeat. I would be happy with another Elite 8 or Final 4 appearance though. You should visit the NCAA forums. Pretty good discussion in their normally and not so many people backing the Gators.
ok now im lost, we lost huertas? ok i didnt know that but not a huge loss...we have hodge who is better, also in noah's, brewer's green's and horford's senior years (if they decide to stay), there will be nick calathes, and chandler parsons coming in...if you havent heard of them ill give you a little scouting reprot since i go to school with them...nick-mr.basketball for florida last year, only 2nd junior to do it in history...averaged 28 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and lead lake howell to the lakeland where we lost to eastside gainesville in the final four, good range and can play the 1, 2, and 3....chandler-6'8''/190...can shoot from anywhere on the court, can block some shots, fearless drive to the hoop for his body, good rebounder for his position (3 usually)...nick is ranked 15th in the nation i think and chandler is like 33rd...laske howell is now 15th in the nation is the favorite for the 5A championship game this year
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting d-money12:</div><div class="quote_post">ok now im lost, we lost huertas? ok i didnt know that but not a huge loss...we have hodge who is better, also in noah's, brewer's green's and horford's senior years (if they decide to stay), there will be nick calathes, and chandler parsons coming in...if you havent heard of them ill give you a little scouting reprot since i go to school with them...nick-mr.basketball for florida last year, only 2nd junior to do it in history...averaged 28 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and lead lake howell to the lakeland where we lost to eastside gainesville in the final four, good range and can play the 1, 2, and 3....chandler-6'8''/190...can shoot from anywhere on the court, can block some shots, fearless drive to the hoop for his body, good rebounder for his position (3 usually)...nick is ranked 15th in the nation i think and chandler is like 33rd...laske howell is now 15th in the nation is the favorite for the 5A championship game this year</div> Yeah, Huertas transferred to Ole Miss, which doesn't make too much sense to me. I am absolutely stoked about Nick Calathes. I haven't seen him play or seen any highlights of him, but just hearing about him makes me extremely excited to play. I don't know much about Parsons. Green will stay. I seriously doubt Brewer stays and Horford is likely on his way out too, IMO. Then again that's what everyone thought this year too. We will have a target on our backs, so we will have to play 110% every game or we could get upset, which is extremely hard to do, since we played under 100 in plenty of occasions.
I go to Lake Brantley High and I have seen Nick Calathes play. The man is sick. That's a good recruit for the Gators as they plan to solidfy their team even MORE.
u go to LBHS? thats tight, i got a couple of friends that go there...but yeah nicky is nasty...u kno who else is good and will be the star of LHHS next year? brett chance, he's 10th among juniors
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting asdf:</div><div class="quote_post">I found that typo worth a tiny chuckle. Sort of like when a girl let's out a fart and she giggles at herself. Anyway enough rambling, on to what Carter touched on. Fourth? That's a little too high for me. I'd be overjoyed if the Magic were a 7th/8th seed, more or less taking in homecourt advantage. I don't think that the Magic have the experience and skill (although the talent is evident, it just hasn't fully blossomed yet) to be such a good team. Even though they played extremely well the last set of games, I think that those final games tend to overhype fans a bit... A little bit of luck never hurt anyone, and besides, most teams aren't going to go at 100% near the end of the season when they're a lock for the playoffs or are just a lotto team hoping for the number one pick. I'd be content with 40-45 wins.</div> meaning he won;t play the pre-season, season, post-season...all of that is more than 82
