<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Magic have wasted Dwight Howard's brilliance the past couple weeks. They shouldn't waste Trevor Ariza's return. Coach Brian Hill needs to start him for Hedo Turkoglu. Ariza finally made his return from a six-week rehab after a sprained knee, and scored 14 points Sunday against the Rockets. It wasn't the points. It never is with Ariza. It's the impact he has all over the game, in so many departments. Coming up with rebounds, blocking a shot, stealing a ball from Tracy McGrady, hitting Grant Hill underneath, getting open for an easy bucket. It's time. Turkoglu has been in a shooting slump most of the season, and finished with just eight points against Houston. Ariza is a better defensive player and athlete. Not as polished and as dangerous offensively as Turk, but the Magic re-signed him as a free agent and refused to include him in a deal for Vince Carter last week, so they cherish his abilities. Sure, you give up some offense with Ariza, perhaps, but that only gives Howard and Grant Hill more opportunities -- and they are shooting at a much higher percentage than Turk. Turk coming off the bench could also light a fire in the second unit. It's time to get Ariza in the lineup, although I doubt Hill will. That would give the Magic three 21-year-old starters --- Ariza, Howard and Darko Milicic --- and Hill even more gray hair. It's like a senior-oriented team in the NCAA Tournament. But what can it hurt? The Magic will lose more? If they didn't make a trade last week, here's their chance to shake things up. The Magic have big plans for Ariza. Might as well start them now while there's still hope left in a season that is unraveling.</div> Source
i liked that blog... i couldnt agree more... Problem is... we have a bone headed coach. I see ariza getting more minutes after he is 100%, but i dont see him starting anytime soon... i hope i'm wrong though and he starts the season from today on. Ariza is so dynamic. he does so many of the intangibles... he hustles and hes a great team guy. I hope to see him wearing the Magic jersey for a long time regardless of whether he starts this year or not.
I do think Ariza is the better player, but we need a 3 point shooting threat out on the floor to start to open up for Dwight/Darko. Grant Hill is not that, so Turkoglu should continue to start, IMO. I wouldn't be opposed to giving Ariza more minutes.
Honestly I would like i to see Ariza start but, the punch he gives to the second unit really gives us an advantage over the other teams bench. Not to mention he is usually finishing games which in my opinion is more important than starting. He can shown that he should be on the court.
I think it's time to start Trevor. Gators, you are always saying that we need a three point threat in our starting lineup but I disagree. Obviously starting Hedo isn't working because look at our record. Hedo has regressed this season and I don't think teams worry about him as much from long range anymore. When Trevor is playing, we do good. Just look at our record when he was out. I think it's time to make a change just to see if we can return to our winning ways. Ariza can defend, is always hustling, and he knows his role. I also agree that it is most important that he is finishing games though. Here is another great article about Ariza once again written by Brian Schmitz: Read it!
I don't think you realize that if we don't have an outside scoring threat, teams will only have to guard Grant Hill's 15 footer, so they would basically keep all 5 guys around the paint and that will make quicker double teams to get to Dwight/Darko and prevent their development. Also, I don't think you can blame our recent lack of winning squarely on Hedo. We know Ariza is valuable to the team and I'm not denying it, Hedo or JJ or someone who can hit a 3 ball needs to stay in the starting lineup.
<div class="quote_poster">GatorsowntheNCAA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I do think Ariza is the better player, but we need a 3 point shooting threat out on the floor to start to open up for Dwight/Darko. Grant Hill is not that, so Turkoglu should continue to start, IMO. I wouldn't be opposed to giving Ariza more minutes.</div> #7?
<div class="quote_poster">Baller09 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">#7? </div> Turkoglu at least plays something that resembles defense and he is more versatile, so I wouldn't start Redick over Turkoglu.
