Orlando Magic: Blockbuster Deal Provides Spark, Season Magically Saved

by Sebastian Lena

Many of us are still trying to come to terms with the transition from 2010 into 2011. For the rest of the NBA, they’re still trying to come to terms with the Orlando Magic’s transition from a free-falling contender into the hottest team in the league.

Only a year removed from a trip to the NBA finals, the Magic raced off to a start that had all the makings of a return trip come June. However, after starting the month of December atop the Eastern Conference at 15-4, the Magic went on to lose six of their next seven contests. And suddenly, nearby Universal Studios was looking like the more likely June destination for the squad. 

With a team in disarray, and a fan base in complete shock, team president Otis Smith decided to take matters into his own hands.

On December 19, Smith orchestrated two separate deals with the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards in hope of providing a much-needed spark for his team. As a result, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickael Peitrus and a 2011 first-round pick were exchanged in return for Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Gilbert Arenas, and Earl Clark.

At first, the deal was met with heavy skepticism. Many wondered why the Magic would choose to relinquish the size they did when cutting ties with Lewis (6’10”) and Gortat (6’11”).

If foul-prone Dwight Howard has to come out, who’s going to take his place? 6’8” Brandon Bass? That’s just asking to be featured on the opposite end of a Blake Griffin highlight.

Then there were others who wondered why the Magic would send away Peitrus, their best perimeter player and defensive stalwart. He made a nightly habit out of harassing and hounding the biggest scoring threats of opposing teams. His defense will surely be missed.

The criticism only grew when the new-look Magic proceeded to drop their first two games. It certainly didn’t help that the trio of Richardson, Turkoglu, and Arenas only combined for a total of 48 points in those match-ups.

Having lost eight of their last nine games (and four in a row), the Magic were in prime position to receive a walloping from their next opponent—the 25-3 San Antonio Spurs and their 10-game win streak.

As predicted, the game was a blowout. But to everyone’s surprise, it was the Magic who came out on top, 123-101. Surely though, their dismantling of the owners of the NBA’s best record was a fluke.

Next up: the 23-4 Boston Celtics and their 14-game win streak on Christmas Day center stage. Just like before, they were doubted—and just like before, they came out on top. This time, it was a grueling 86-78 victory. 

Back-to-back victories against the league’s top two teams proved to be just the spark the team needed. Since then, the Magic have won all five of their games.

But while critics might be quick to throw out the Magic’s seven-game win streak as pure luck, the numbers speak volumes.

In their first 28 games, the Magic only allowed opponents to score 93.2 points per game. While that number had them ranked fifth in the league, they ranked in the bottom half of the league with only 96.1 ppg themselves. However, in their last seven games, the Magic have throttled opponents for 106.0 ppg, while only allowing 91.7 ppg—the league's lowest total around in that span.

This increase in offensive production can be partly credited with efficient shooting. After shooting 46 percent from the field in their first 28 games, the Magic have improved to 49.2 percent in their last seven games. But where they’ve been the most lethal is from behind the arc. Originally only shooting 35.3 percent from three-point range, they’ve upped that to a blistering mark of 45.5 percent.

But the majority of the credit for the improvement on the offensive side of the ball has to go to the team’s ball movement. In their first 28 games, the Magic averaged only 18.2 assists per game. In seven games since, that number has increased to 24.4 per game.

But don’t forget about the players who’s arrival jump-started this surge.

Turkoglu, a fan favorite and key contributor to the team’s ’09 Finals run, came in from Phoenix averaging 9.4 ppg (42.3 percent from the field), 3.9 rpg and 2.6 apg. Since then, he’s averaging 14.6 ppg (52.8 percent from the field,) 5.4 rpg and 4.8 apg. Torkoglu is finally starting to regain his familiarity with the offense and has already made a noticeable difference for the team.

Then there’s Jason Richardson, who also came in from Phoenix. As the Suns’ go-to-guy, Richardson averaged 18.2 ppg and 4.3 rpg. Now, in a reduced role, he is averaging 13.7 ppg and 4.6 rpg. He’s definitely took a little longer than the other two to get going, but two 20-point showings in the last three games is a promising sign.

Finally, there’s Arenas. While living in the shadow of John Wall in Washington, Arenas averaged 15.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 5.2 apg. Currently, he’s averaging 12.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 6.2 apg. His contributions are even more impressive when you keep in mind that he’s coming off the bench.

But unbeknownst to many, and what could be credited as the most significant reason for the team’s sudden success, is the much improved play of J.J. Redick.

Long thought of as a disappointment since he came into the NBA in 2006, the former Duke standout has caught fire as of late. In the first 28 games, his 9.2 points, 43.3 percent shooting and 36.7 percent from beyond the arc looked like pedestrian numbers for Redick. But in his last seven games, Redick has played anything but pedestrian. 

Coming off the bench, he’s averaging 14.2 ppg, shooting 55.6 percent from the floor and hitting a staggering 66.7 percent of his three-point shots. Yes, 66.7 percent. Wow. There’s no telling what the cause for this recent outburst is, but it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Magic.

If nothing else, the Magic have stated their case as to why they deserve to rejoin the ranks of the NBA’s elite.

Now, I understand that seven games is a short span to make such a claim, but the numbers don’t lie. Plus, if you can turn back the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics in a back-to-back—arguably the two best teams in the league right now—then you’re doing pretty good in my book.

Three weeks ago, I would have told you the Magic had a better chance of pulling a rabbit out of a hat than to turn their season around. But essentially, that’s exactly what they did by pulling out a potential championship run out of what appeared to be a lifeless season. But only time will tell if this is just a magical hallucination conjured up by Stan Van Gundy and his squad.

All we can do now is patiently await the grand finale. But if you’re hoping for a Houdini-esque disappearing act, don’t hold your breath.

These boys are here to stay.