This past month Tracy McGrady said he wanted the Magic to have at least 10 wins by the end of December. Currently, they are 8-24 and suffered their third worse home loss in team history. McGrady left the game injured, then left the arena without staying to watch the rest of the game. What adjustments do you think the Magic should make now that they are going into the New Year? In my opinion, essential adjustments still need to be made. <ul>Continue starting Rod Strickland. The Magic desperately need veteran leadership and he provides just that. He also complements McGrady better than Lue, because Lue tends to look for his shot first rather than pass.[/list] <ul>Start Drew Gooden. He brings more to the table than Juwan Howard, and has a very promising future, unlike Howard. Howard's prime days are vanishing, and Drew Gooden is just beginning his career. Howard is currently averaging 15.1 Points and 6.8 Rebounds compared to Goodens' 12.5/7 in limited minutes.[/list] <ul>Make Tracy take more leadership classes. He calls out teammates, leaves his own game, complains..does things that leaders don't do. When he signed with the Magic in 2000, he took leadership classes at a local college. He must have forgotten about everything because he is proving to be nothing but a wining baby.[/list] <ul>Send Andrew DeClercq to the bench. Currently, he is averaging 3.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He provides great energy for us, but there is NO way he deserves the nod to start. That also raises another question, who would start in his place? Steven Hunter hasn't been playing at all since Davis took over, and Zaza is too raw. Unless a trade is made, the Magic really don't have anyone worthy of starting center.[/list] <ul>Give the rookies more minutes. It is very clear the Magic won't be going anywhere this season. I'd like to see if Reece Gaines is yet another bust...I'd also like to see Keith Bogans get guaranteed minutes every night. He's great for grabbing rebounds and making the hustle plays, which the Magic desperately need.[/list]
Well I like just about all those points cept for the point about Drew Gooden. I am not entirely sure. I have come to relise that Gooden is bringing Depth to the Bench, which is much needed.. Could Howard do the same coming off the bench? Who knows? Either way there is bench depth which is a good thing, but I think for now, Gooden is the spark off the bench they need. I personally like him as a bench player.. As long as hes getting close to equal time as Howard.. Then its all good.. Plus it dosnt put Gooden at the postion of Small Forward.. For some reason hes trying to take outside shots.. Thats not his thing in my opinion.. He has to stay down low.. Hes not a forward thats gonna learn how to shoot a three, its just not right.. Whoever put that to him, should really rethink it, Gooden is Built to be a Power Forward, and that he should be..
The reason I'd rather have Gooden start over Howard is for the learning experience. Like I said before, the Magic arent going anywhere. Gooden would be better off going against first string power fowards rather than the weak second string that the eastern conference offers. Gooden is our future, not Howard. If Andrew DeClercq was moved to the bench, he would be our spark along with Keith Bogans. Juwan Howard would be moved to the bench as the starting power foward, and he would become our main offense off the bench. I agree with you on the PF thing. Gooden is a natural power foward, and he should stay there. Since the Magic bench is already young enough, I think Howard would provide veteran leadership and steady offense. Drew Gooden tends to fall for the jumpers at times, which isn't in his game. With him in the starting lineup along with McGrady, I believe he would drive to the basket every time. Once McGrady dumps it down low, he would just finish it off and score.
A excellent point... I guess at this point, that is the best possible route.. I see where you are coming from on the Howard bench thing. I never thought about that, and now it makes perfect sense.
You make a valid point too. It could really go either way, I was just sharing my thoughts. Do you think the Magic should do anything else?
Well, me personally... Going back to the first post... You put it exactly on the dot about what they have to do.. If the season looks to be a very rough one, I say to start getting some time to the rookies and let them learn. Make some deals even. See what they can do with Lue.. I was never really keen on them taking him in the first place. If they act now they could get something out of him.. Maybe to a team that would think he can fit in to theirs. Since I don't think he can fit into ours.
I like the idea of having Gooden start. He leads us in rebounds and more aggresive than Howard. Yes sometimes he puts up some stupid shots but at least he gets the rebounds. Great points Ice and Good discussion points ZeroTOOne
I agree with all your points. I really believe the last one about give the rookies some time. Hunter got 12 mins in the last game, while Zaza didn't play, so maybe Hunter is gonna get more minutes now. I hate seeing Declerq starting. I love his hustle, but he's just not a good starting Center. It really doesn't matter whether Gooden starts or comes off the bench, as long as he gets his 30+ mins a game, that's all that matters. I kind of prefer him coming off the bench, because he's less likely to get in early foul trouble. I just wish he would settle down and just play his game. I've been pretty impressed with his jumper. He has really improved it. I would much rather him drive then shoot that jumper though.
