Now that I have gotten over the sweep, here is my report card for the Orlando Magic..... <u>Dwight Howard</u> Regular Season-B+, he didn't take the bigger role in the offense as I had hoped and his rebounds went down. He was by far our leader and he was our best player. Playoffs-C+, he was frustrated throughout the playoffs and just wasn't very aggressive in the 2nd half of game 1, entire game 2 and 3. Game 4 proved exactly what he can become, but he just wasn't consistent. Needs to practice FT's the entire offseason. Future Outlook: He has one more year of $6,061,273. You have to give him his max deal NOW. <u>Jameer Nelson</u> Regular Season-C, he was in control of the ball too much. He didn't really run the offense, played horrible defense. Sure he had his great games, but overall he was my biggest disappointment. Playoffs-C, ditto of the first. Future Outlook: He has one more year of $1,961,609. Hopefully we can get a starting PG, so he can be in a more effective role off the bench. <u>Grant Hill</u> Regular Season-A-, he actually played an entire season! He brought good veteran leadership and was asked to try to win games down the stretch for us. He was the consistent piece that kept us together. Playoffs-B+, he played really hard and played pretty effectively against his old team. He came up with some clutch baskets, but needed some help. Future Outlook: He's currently a FA. I really hope we resign him for the veterans minimum in a 6th man role. <u>Hedo Turkoglu</u> Regular Season-C+, he just couldn't really get a rhythm throughout the regular season and was hurt a couple of games. He did win us a couple of games with his clutch shooting, but his inconsistency helped make the Magic a very inconsistent team. Playoffs-B, he finally found his stroke for awhile in the playoffs. He's so versatile and is instant offense. I would have liked to see him shoot some 3's, rather than pump fake and then take a 18 footer instead. Future Outlook: He has 2 years plus a players option starting at $6,373,900. Could still be a starter in the league, but probably best suited as a very good 6th man. He'll stay a Magic. <u>Tony Battie</u> Regular Season-C, he is a good backup and you know what you will get from him every single night. He hustles like crazy, gets boards, and on occasion is able to score. Playoffs-D+, he just wasn't effective at all. Struggled to hit that wide open 18 footer. Future Outlook: He has 3 years left starting at $5,200,000. He would be a good addition for the Magic to keep to help tutor the young big men, but nothing more than a 2nd big off the bench(Bo Outlaw role). He shouldn't be starting on an NBA team. <u>Darko Milicic</u> Regular Season-B, he was extremely inconsistent, but considering this was his first real season it's alright. Not to mention the inconsistent playing time that he got. He developed a nice hook shot and has become tougher under the basket. He still is most effective out at the FT line directing traffic with his passing ability. Playoffs-A+, he basically proved why we need to keep him. He was playing for his Magic career and passed with flying colors. He played big minutes and came through in those minutes as evidenced by Game 4. He was the only player on the Magic roster to score double digits in all 4 games of the series. Future Outlook: He is currently a FA. Resigning him should be priority #1 this offseason, give him what he wants and start him alongside Dwight next year playing him 30+ minutes a game. <u>Trevor Ariza</u> Regular Season-B, he had his flashes and his long absence from injury proved how valuable he is for the Magic. He is a very good slasher and defensive player that lifts the energy from the team every time he walks onto the court. He could still use a jump shot. Playoffs-D, in the slim time he got in the playoffs he went away from his game. He should have been a prime member to help beat Detroit with his defense and slashing ability. Instead he just shot jump shots that he struggles with making. Future Outlook: He has 1 year left with a players option, starting at $2,710,800. After the playoffs, I'm not sure that he is a starter in the NBA YET. He still has the potential to be a very good impact player on the Magic, but right now I still think he's best suited as an energy guy off the bench or a defensive minded starter. <u>Keyon Dooling</u> Regular Season: B-, Again, he had some big time flashes of brilliance, but he was also inconsistent. He is so quick and can get to the basket whenever he wants, but he also settles for his jump shot too much. Great defender with great energy. He gets the fans going with his hustle plays. Playoffs: B-, He was very good when he came in to be pesky around Billups, but his offense struggled. He needs to continue to be aggressive like he was in Game 4 where he blew past Billups and had a couple of dunks. Future Outlook: He has a player option for this season starting at $3,596,000 and I hope he takes it. I wouldn't mind starting him over Jameer honestly because of his defense, but he is probably best suited again as an energy guy to backup the PG/SG. <u>Carlos Arroyo</u> Regular Season-C, he had his moments, but overall he was inconsistent and struggled to run the Magic offense. Just like Jameer he settled for the jump shot too much and needed to penetrate and dish a little more. Playoffs-C+, he played better in his small role in the playoffs, but his lack of defense and inability to run the offense forced Brian Hill to bench him for Game 4. Future Outlook: Is currently signed for $4 mil for next season, but will hopefully be on a different team. <u>JJ Redick</u> Regular Season-B, I rated him so high because he was better than I expected. He can actually play a little defense by staying in front of someone and his shot does develop to the pros. At times he hesitated taking his shot, when he has confidence his shot will continue to go down. Playoffs-N/A Future outlook: He has one year at $2,000,160, plus 2 years under the team option. I still don't think he will be a starter in the NBA, but is instant offense off the bench. He is best suited playing alongside defensive slashers, such as Dooling and Ariza <u>Keith Bogans</u> Regular Season-C+, when he was in, he produced. He shot a good percentage from 3 point land, while playing good defense and getting some rebounds. He gets a lower grade just because he didn't get used that much. Playoffs-N/A Future outlook: He has a 2 year deal starting at $2,710,800. I would like to see him get more PT, because he is effective when on the court, but I don't know who I'd give him PT over. <u>Bo Outlaw</u> Regular Season-C+, just because I can't possibly give him a lower grade. He is one of my favorite all-time players because of his hustle and passion for the game. He is blue collared as it gets and is still able to play great defense. Playoffs-N/A Future outlook: He is a free agent. He likely won't be playing for anyone next season. <u>Pat Garrity</u> Regular Season-F, he rarely played, but when he did he would constantly hesitate shooting 3's. Pair that with his lack of rebounding/defense and any skills outside of shooting makes it a bad thing. Playoffs-N/A Future outlook: He has a player option for $3,818,750. I know I always joke about trading him for a sandwich, but I really believe a sandwich would be more valuable then a 3 point shooter who is scared to shoot. As much as I liked him in the heart and hustle season, I won't miss him when he leaves. <u>Travis Diener and James Augustine</u> Both might make the team next year, but at best will play the same role. <u>Brian Hill</u> Regular Season-C-, you all know my hate for him, but he did have to deal with all of the injuries and still helped us get into the playoffs, so I can't give him that harsh of a grade. Playoffs-F, he made no adjustments throughout the series. There is a reason why he has gotten knocked out of the playoffs all 3 years via a sweep. Future Outlook: Please not as a head coach with the Magic.
<div class="quote_poster">Swish Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Great post Gators, I'll make my report card later. Isn't Travis Diener a free agent though?</div> Yeah, he's a FA and Augustine is due to make around $500,000, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Diener back on the team or Augustine cut.
I think Diener said he was going to test the market because several teams were interested in him at the trade deadline and he knows he doesn't really have a role here. He was saying at halftime at one of that games that he hopes he's playing somewhere next season and he hopes to have a significant role. Doesn't sound like he's staying if ask me (especially if we re-sign Jameer in hopes that he can improve, keep Dooling for his energy and defense, and Arroyo to keep a lot of the Puerto Rican fans happy).
Just thought I'd share this with you guys, these are the Player Breakdowns for the Orlando Sentinel by Brian Schmitz. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/bask...?coll=orl-magic
