Orlando Magic: 30 Teams in 30 Days

2008 Statistics

Finished 59-23, first in Southeast Division, third in Eastern Conference

Postseason

First Round: Beat Philadelphia 76ers 4-2

Semifinals: Beat Boston Celtics 4-3

Conference Finals: Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2

NBA Finals: Lost to Los Angeles Lakers 4-1

Key Additions

Vince Carter via trade, Ryan Anderson via trade, Jason Williams via free agency, Brandon Bass via free agency, Matt Barnes via free agency

Key Losses

Rafer Alston via trade, Courtney Lee via trade, Tony Battie via trade, Hedo Turkoglu via free agency

Defying the odds of being an underdog among the Eastern conference power houses, the Magic managed to beat the two 'superior' teams in the postseason, including LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers easily on their way to their second NBA finals appearance.

Despite making the NBA finals, from the get go it appeared that the Magic had no chance. The Lakers were too much for Orlando and their finals inexperience got the best of them on their way to losing in only five games. The part that was most surprising was the fact of how Dwight Howard was a non-factor throughout the NBA finals after having a stellar regular season and postseason.

Howard averaged 21 points, 13 rebounds and a career high three blocks. He was coming up big in the postseason as well and had a 40 point, 14 rebound game in the clincher against the Cavs that advanced his team to the finals. But when the finals came around, it was a completely different story.

Howard only had one game where he scored his average and in the other four games could not get over 17 points. It could have been a number of factors such as the Lakers length or the strategy to double team Howard whenever he touched the ball, but one thing is for sure, Dwight did not perform the way the Magic needed him to, for them to assure a championship.

The team will also be happy to see Rashard Lewis back as it's starting power forward. Lewis saw his numbers go down a fair amount, but was still a great scoring option in the starting lineup and represented a part of the memorable three-point shooting team that is the Orlando Magic. He averaged 18 points, while making nearly three three-pointers per game which tied his career high.

One of the main factors for the Magic's success last season was from one of the most underrated players in the league in Hedo Turkoglu. Turkoglu averaged 17 points, five rebounds and five assists and was huge in the clutch become the one to step up for the Magic more than anyone else on the team.

Since his career performances throughout the season, Turkoglu was offered a lucrative deal by the Toronto Raptors with little resistance from the Magic. The question now is who is going to be the one to step up in the clutch for Orlando.

With the loss of Turkoglu, the Magic did manage to bring in a top guard-forward in Vince Carter. Carter averaged 21 points, five rebounds and five assists last year playing for the New Jersey Nets. The points he put up last season were the third lowest of his eleven year career.

He is set to be the Magic's starting shooting guard next season, and seems like the perfect player to fill in the shoes Turkoglu left behind.

When Carter is brought up in conversations, usually his will is brought into question. When a team is not doing successful enough, it has been seen that Vince will tank games and not play near his full potential.

He has no excuses now playing for a team like Orlando. The organization and city of Orlando should expect nothing but the best from the former all-star and could see Carter put up another 20 points per game and possibly more. Carter used to be a regular 25 points per game type of player and we could see that again if Vince puts all his heart into trying to win a championship for the Magic.

Orlando also managed to bring in big man Brandon Bass. Bass has a lot of body and is a solid backup to Rashard Lewis. While Lewis does not have one of the strongest bodies as a power forward, Bass brings size and has the body to push around other power forwards in the league. He averaged eight points and four rebounds last year playing for the Dallas Mavericks and will be a legitimate defensive option off the bench.

In one of the most underrated pickup's of the off season, Orlando also got Matt Barnes. Barnes is a top three-point shooter and averaged a career high 10 points per game, including a career high in three-pointers making nearly two per game.

Barnes is going to fit well into the Magic's style of play which includes throwing up a lot of three's until most of them go in and it gives the team a victory.

A reason for a weak finals performance could have been seen at the point guard spot. Jameer Nelson was brought in late in the postseason after suffering an injury halfway through the season that caused him to sit out most of the team's games, resulting in him playing in only 42 games. It was his first all-star season until the injury came along and the team had to trade for Rafer Alston to fill in.

Alston was a reliable option at the one spot for the team for the latter part of the postseason and regular season, but as the finals rolled around Alston could not find his shot or create many open shots for his teammates. It makes you wonder if Nelson was 100 percent for the finals, if we could be talking about the Orlando Magic's plans to repeat.

Nonetheless, the Magic will be happy to see a healthy Jameer Nelson back in the starting lineup this year.

In the starting lineup now at the shooting guard spot will be Mickael Pietrus. Pietrus was one of the most reliable options off the bench last year in the Magic's championship run averaging nine points per game and being a big time three-point shooter, which is a requirement to be when you are a part of the Magic.

The Magic have emerged as one of the top team's in the NBA thanks to it's all-star center and stellar shooters. This upcoming season is no different from the last, the Magic are still a contender with or without Turkoglu and with a healthier lineup now, there chances of winning are better than ever.

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Jameer Nelson

SG-Mickael Pietrus

SF-Vince Carter

PF-Rashard Lewis

C-Dwight Howard

This is Pt. 20 of a 30-day series of 2009-10 season previews of each NBA team. My profile will contain every other team that has been previewed before.