Orlando Magic: Midseason Recap

Through 43 games this season, the Orlando Magic are sitting at 28-15, nabbing the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.  The first half of the 2010-2011 season has been tumultuous for the Magic to say the least. 

GM Otis Smith brokered a midseason trade that many believe has brought the Magic back into contention in the Eastern Conference.  Although the Magic may still be eyeing a backup center, the team looks to be returning to the playing style that took them to the NBA Finals in 2009.

The Magic have already had an eventful campaign half-way through the 2010-2011 season.  The beginning of the season was full of excitement with the opening of the new Amway Center and the hopes for an NBA title-run with the veteran Magic squad. 

However, after starting 15-4, the Magic hit a wall of adversity.  The team was hit with a stomach virus that sidelined Dwight Howard, Mickael Pietrus, J.J. Redick and Jameer Nelson.  Amidst the illnesses, the Magic hit a four-game west coast road trip where their only win came against the LA Clippers.

The west coast trip forced Smith to broker the trade that rocked the NBA.  On December 18, the Magic traded veteran PF Rashard Lewis to the Washington Wizards for G Gilbert Arenas.  Smith also dealt Pietrus, backup center Marcin Gortat and Vince Carter to Phoenix for fan favorite Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark.   Although many NBA experts were skeptical of dealing Gortat, the Magic have been a much improved offensive team since the trade and maintained their defensive scheme to a degree.

The Magic stumbled to a slow start with their new offensive talent, losing games on the road against the Atlanta Hawks and at home against the Dallas Mavericks in which the team looked lost throughout the game.  However, the team caught fire against the San Antonio Spurs and rode a nine-game winning streak, beating their opponents by an average of 14 PPG. 

Since the trade the Magic are 12-6 and are beginning to jell.  When Smith dealt Gortat and Pietrus, many were concerned that the Magic would lose their defensive intensity.  However, Orlando is still sixth in the league, holding opponents to 94.2 PPG.  Orlando has also improved offensively, posting 100 PPG and 19.9 APG, something the Magic struggled with before the deal.  Rebounding has also been a strength for the Magic; the team is averaging 42.6 per game, with Howard and Anderson eliminating second-chance opportunities for opponents.

Let’s take a look at the mid-season MVP as well as some other topics of discussion.

MIDSEASON MVP

Is this even debatable?  One of Dwight Howard’s goals going into this season was to have a more serious approach to practice and games.  Mission accomplished. 

Howard has vastly improved his offensive game, notching 22.1 PPG (career-high) with his new offensive repertoire.  His free throw shooting has also improved as the season progresses.  Howard started the season shooting just 54 percent from the line; during the month of January, Howard has improved to 64 percent from the charity stripe. 

Of course, defensively he remains one of the most dominant players in the league.  Howard is averaging 13.3 RPG along with 2.2 BPG.  The defensive intensity has tapered off lately due to foul trouble and the 12 technical fouls he’s already acquired.  If Howard can keep his composure and continue to post these types of numbers, he may be campaigning for league MVP.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

The Magic are stocked full of players who have improved their game over last season, but Brandon Bass leads the pack in this category.  Bass is having career highs in nearly every statistical category.  Bass is averaging 11.0 PPG and 5.6 RPG and has recorded two double-doubles.  His mid-range jumper is almost automatic and provides a spark for the Magic in the half-court offense.  Although Bass needs to improve in some defensive areas and become a better passer, he has been a key player for the Magic throughout the season.

BEST BENCH PLAYER

This category is perhaps the most difficult to determine this season.  Both Ryan Anderson and Redick have been instrumental off the bench for Orlando, but Anderson is currently the best player coming off the bench. 

Anderson, who is also having a career year, has provided the Magic with some big three-pointers coming off the bench.  He is shooting 40 percent from behind the arc and grabbing 4.6 RPG, the latter being imperative with Howard on the bench in certain situations. 

Anderson can be taken advantage of defensively by more athletic forwards, but his presence around the glass and knack for making big three-point shots will be huge for the Magic down the stretch.

TURNING POINT

The turning point thus far this season was the win at home against San Antonio.  Before that game on December 23, the Magic were just 3-8 in a December in which they encountered a team illness, a 1-3 west coast road trip and a roster shake-up that moved half the roster. 

This game was the third game with the new roster and the first in which the players looked comfortable together.  The Magic shot 59.5 percent from the field and 52.0 percent from behind the arc and held the Spurs to just 42.2 percent and 36.4 percent, respectively. 

Although the Spurs came into Orlando on the second game of a back-to-back, they were one of the hottest teams in the league at the time and the win sparked a nine-game winning streak for the Magic.

BIGGEST CHALLENGES THE REST OF THE SEASON

1. Can the Magic acquire a backup for Howard at a bargain price?  We’re not talking a big name at this point; Orlando needs a backup for 10-15 minutes per game while Howard rests or encounters foul trouble.  Smith has stated that this scenario isn’t necessary, however, to make it past the Boston Celtics the Magic need more size in the middle.

2. DEFENSE. DEFENSE. DEFENSE.  The Magic are currently sixth in PPG allowed, but there are holes to be filled before the playoffs.  When Howard is on the bench, the Magic are vulnerable in the middle and left with Anderson and Bass to rebound.  The Magic are allowing 96.1 PPG since the trade and have given up over 100 points in five games.

3. Although the Magic possess a winning road record at 11-10, their only impressive road win was December 1 at the Chicago Bulls.  The Magic have been close in big road games (Boston, OKC, New Orleans) and been blown out in others (Utah, Denver, Portland).  Winning on the road is imperative in the playoffs; the Magic need to win a few big games on the road in the second half of the season.