Orlando Magic Report Card: Early Grades for All the Team's Key Players

Playing through the early season rust and the Dwight Howard saga has made the Orlando Magic a bit inconsistent. The team has looked great at times this year, and awful at others.  

They were running on all cylinders against a rebuilding Wizards team in their 103-85 victory, but looked sorely overmatched against the Bulls in a 97-83 loss.

Some players have stepped up night after night and others still seem to be stuck in preseason mode.

It's hard to judge which players will show up from night to night. Here are some early season grades on who's bringing it and who's not.

Dwight Howard

The most coveted "free agent to be" has continued to impress this season despite the self-imposed distractions.

As of the writing of this article, he is averaging 20 points, 15 rebounds and nearly 3 blocks.

He is the most dominant center in a center-poor league and has not quit on the Magic despite his early season trade request.

Grade: A

Ryan Anderson

It was only a matter of time before Ryan Anderson broke out. All it took was trading Brandon "No Pass" Bass.

Excelling in his starter role, Ryan has averaged 18 points and seven rebounds. Despite some of his defensive deficiencies, his offense has shined a light on this diamond in the rough.

Grade: A-

Hedo Turkoglu

Hedo is beginning to look comfortable again in the offense that made him a star.

He is looking energized and is gaining his confidence again as he reaffirms his point forward role.

Hedo's 14 points, five assists, and three rebounds per game are just short of his production before he was traded from Orlando in 2009.

Grade: B-

Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson signed a four-year, $25 million deal in the offseason.

Regarding his free agency, he was quoted in the Orlando Sentinel as saying,  "Both [the Magic and the Bulls] already were contenders. They needed a shooting guard there [in Chicago], and Orlando needed one, too. It came down to a feeling, and I felt like there was unfinished business here [in Orlando]."

Perhaps after delivering 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists, Magic fans may be wishing that he would have signed in Chicago.

Grade: D+

J.J. Redick

J.J. "Instant Offense" Redick can be a liability on defense at times, but he brings energy every time he steps on the court.

He is an excellent role player and will probably always be best suited as a sixth-man spark off the bench. 

His current career high 11 point per game average is a result of him taking more shots.

This is not a bad thing and the trend may continue as long as Jason Richardson continues to struggle.

Grade: B

Glen Davis

After being traded for Brandon "No Pass" Bass, Glen Davis has provided a fiery presence on the court and comic relief off the court for the Magic.

His stats of seven points and five rebounds per game are unimpressive, but are bound to improve as "Big Baby" gets adjusted to his new team.

His grade is higher than his stats warrant because of his team spirit and other intangibles.

Grade: C+

Jameer Nelson

Jameer Nelson has averaged 6.8 points and 5.4 assists per game this season. His career averages are 12.4 points and 4.9 assists.

What's scary about those numbers is that his minutes have not decreased.

He has never been known as a point guard who can distribute the ball, but at least he could score.

Now that his scoring numbers are down, he becomes even less of an asset for the team. 

Grade: D-

Chris Duhon

Chris Duhon is averaging nearly 20 minutes a game this season and has averaged four points and three assists per game. These numbers are startling considering he runs the point.

Jameer Nelson disappears in games at times and the Magic need a better option at the backup point guard position.

Duhon does not distribute the ball particularly well and is afraid to shoot.

Not a great combination.

Grade: D-