So, is Orlando Better?

[Check my Stats]

Thoughts?

[Hawks Fly High]

Offensively I think that they are great. Any one of them can have an off night and it would be okay. Defensively they got worse, a lot worse. Dwight has his work cut out for him.

[Built Ford Tough]

I don't know if there is enough ball to go around to make everybody happy offensively. People complained about Carter needing the rock to be effective, but that is just as true, if not more so, for guys like Turkoglu and Arenas. Add in Nelson at the point and Howard going to want to be involved offensively down low and it makes you wonder if everybody will be able to play up to their capabilities without getting the touches that they want. Richardson was the only guy who they acquired who doesn't need the rock to be effective as he has developed into a pretty reliable spot up shooter.

 

They are also scary thin in the front court now. Howard is going to have to really avoid foul trouble because he is the only real center in that lineup now and outside of Howard and Bass, they don't have any prototypical bigs.

 

It should be interesting to see how everybody adjusts. It is going to take a while before they develop any sort of chemistry, though.

[Poe]

I expect a line up of..

 

Nelson / Duhon / Williams

Arenas / Redick

J Rich / Q Rich / Clark

Turkoglu / Anderson / Allen

Howard / Bass / Orton

 

 

I really like the move to get Arenas, who will be a clear upgrade over Carter, and will give Howard the best player he has ever played with. Fantastic move to get him.

 

I also like the move to replace Lewis with another three point shooter that can play either forward position, though ideally they should have gotten someone better defensively. J Rich brings in another efficient overall scorer, but once again, ideally they should get someone better defensively.

 

They also lost a valuable bench replacement for Howard in Gortat, so the Magic will likely have to rely on Bass to play much more minutes at center.

 

 

As far as overall improvement goes, the Magic definitely improved offensively. The management may have accomplished the best mix of shooters, slashers, and ball handlers in franchise history as far as I know.

 

Defensively is clearly a question mark with having Arenas, J Rich, and Turkoglu starting together.

 

 

Overall, it's a risky move, but it's worth doing since originally they had almost no chance at the Finals, or even being a team that would get past the second round. Offensively they have shooters, ball handler, slashers, a big interior presence, and most of all, three 20 ppg caliber scorers now. If they can pull it together defensively, they just might have a decent shot at the finals. At least, these are my initial thoughts.

Edited December 19, 2010 by Poe

[*Swish*]

They are better offensively.. even though they lose Vince Carter, they get Hedo Turkoglu who's a good passer for a small forward, and might be once again a good shooter he once was back in the days with the Orlando magic. Magic also get Jason Richardson who is athletic and could spark off from long range all night long. (has been huge for the Suns this season). I think there is going to be rain of three point shots all night for the Magic but defensively, they're not WAY worst but they still lose Michael pietrus who was huge off the bench on the defensive end of the floor. Oh wait I forgot.. Magic also got Arenas!