Orlando Magic Season Preview.
We continue previewing the Southeast Division with the Orlando Magic. You can read past previews here.
by Konate Primus
Twenty-two days left and the bandwagon is almost full to capacity. Magic fans coming out left and right, folks. Sorry to disappoint you, but this year I don’t see such a glossy future for the Magic. I’ve had a lot of time to think about this, and let me tell you how I came to this conclusion.
For starters the Magic are now targets — they no longer can sneak up and surprise you. They are the hunted instead of being hunters. People are expecting the Magic to come out blazing like mad men but I don’t believe this will happen for one reason. And his name is Vince Carter!
Vince is no wash-up please, believe that, but he is a lazzzzy bum when he feels like it’s not necessary to play. I don’t think he’s the right fit for this team. Sure his skill level is still up to par, but the chemistry level doesn’t sit right in my stomach. I think Hedo was taken for granted — there wasn’t another player last year to put in work like Hedo (maybe Kobe). You can’t replace clutch and that’s what Hedo brought! Vince, on the other hand, may be a better player overall, but not as clutch.
Defensive improvement: Matt Barnes and Brandon Bass. Perfect reserve Barnes is a cat who will do whatever it takes to get his playing time — floor burns, take charges, pick fights… whatever. Dude’s a workhorse, and not so shaky offensively. I think of him as another Mickael Pietrus. Bass, I’ve liked him for a while now, but could never endorse him because he played for that A-hole in Dallas! He’s a workhorse, and there’s nothing more to say. He’s going give Dwight an extra push in his game at practice. Maybe the push Dwight needs to get that killer mentality.
The squad looks great. Jameer’s healthy. Rafer’s gone, but we got White Cho-co-late! Anthony Johnson is still play-in’. JJ Redick is still a duke head. And Rashard Lewis has some more gas in the tank. What’s still to be seen is Dwight’s progress. Did he get a jump shot? Does he realize that every time he lowers the ball to his waist he doesn’t score? We have yet to see. But we have 22 more days to find out.
Predicted ’09-10 record: 53-29.
New additions: Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Vince Carter.
Play prediction: Finishes second in Eastern Conference, and loses in the Second Round to the Cavs.
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