30 Teams In 30 Days: Orlando Magic

2007-2008 In Review

Record: 52-30
Eastern Conference Seed: 3
Playoff Results: Lost to DET in Eastern Conference Semifinals (4-1)

Summer Of 2008

Key Additions: Courtney Lee (via draft), Mickael Pietrus (via free agency), Anthony Johnson (via free agency), Mike Wilks (via free agency).

Key Losses: Maurice Evans (via free agency), Keyon Dooling (via free agency), Carlos Arroyo (via free agency – left for Europe), Pat Garrity (via retirement).

The Magic kept the base of the team intact this summer, and for good reason, but the perimeter rotation has a few new faces.

To make up for the loss of Maurice Evans via free agency, the team brought in a pair of defensive-minded swingmen in Mickael Pietrus and first round draftee Courtney Lee. Pietrus was signed to a four-year deal worth approximately $25 million.

If you ask me, they overpaid, but if a chance of scenery is all the five-year veteran needed, then it could be a worthwhile pickup. Pietrus will add athleticism and length to the two-guard position, which should be a nice complement to sharpshooters like Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis.

Six-foot-five Courtney Lee will bring versatility, as the former Western Kentucky star has a complete offensive arsenal and brings a tremendous level of defensive intensity. He’s an NBA-ready guy that can defend up to three positions, depending on matchup, and provide a scoring punch to complement Stan Van Gundy’s perimeter stars.

Guards Carlos Arroyo and Keyon Dooling also jumped ship this past summer, as Dooling tagged along with the New Jersey Nets and Arroyo signed himself a more lucrative contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel.

As a replacement, Otis Smith turned to veteran backup point guard Anthony Johnson, who has held averages of 5.7 points and three assists per game over the course of his 11-year NBA career. For insurance as a third-string point guard, journeyman Mike Wilks was obtained on a one-year deal.

Subsequent to his contract’s expiration, forward Pat Garrity announced his retirement early last month. The 6’9’’ perimeter big spent 10 years in the NBA, nine of which were spent in Orlando, and held career averages of 7.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game to go along with an admirable 39.8 percent three-point shooting clip.

Garrity’s best statistical season for the Magic came in 2001-2002, where he put up 11.1 PPG and 4.2 RPG, and appeared as a starter in 43 regular season games.

Depth Chart

C: Dwight Howard / Adonal Foyle / Marcin Gortat
PF: Rashard Lewis / Tony Battie / Brian Cook
SF: Hedo Turkoglu
SG: Mickael Pietrus / Keith Bogans / Courtney Lee / J.J. Redick
PG: Jameer Nelson / Anthony Johnson / Mike Wilks

Biggest Strength

Spacing

Orlando without a doubt has one of the most deadly perimeter shooting casts in the league. With guys like Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu up front to go along with guards Keith Bogans and Jameer Nelson, opposing defenses have to make it a point to close out with tenacity. Even reserves Brian Cook, J.J. Redick, and rookie Courtney Lee pose as long-range threats.

Having a group of shooters like this not only spreads the defense out and opens up lanes for penetration - although a consistent slasher is absent on this roster - it gives Dwight Howard plenty of room to operate inside.

Biggest Weakness

Frontcourt Depth

Beyond Dwight Howard, the Magic may have the absolute weakest interior rotation in the league. It’s to the point where wings are frequently moved up to the four-spot, and players at the caliber of Marcin Gortat are fighting for consistent minutes. Getting Tony Battie back healthy should help add depth up front, but even so, this team is lacking post options both offensively and defensively outside of Superman.

If Orlando wants to establish themselves as a legitimate Eastern Conference contender, these holes must be filled.

Fran Vasquez would be nice. So much for that…

X-Factor

Tony Battie

Of course, Battie gives the Magic another interior defensive presence and adds depth along that front line, but the offensive end of the floor is where Battie will help out most.

Throughout the 07-08 season, with Tony Battie out of action the whole year due to a torn rotator cuff, just 29 percent of Orlando’s shots came in the form of a mid-range jumper. That was good for dead last in the NBA, as the league average in that category rests as a percentage in the low-40’s. Battie gives the Magic a medium-range shooting threat and another guy for Dwight Howard to defer to when doubled in the paint.

Battie may score just five-to-seven points per game, but he adds much-needed versatility to Stan Van Gundy’s offense.

What to Expect In 2008-2009

With the East getting stronger, it’s only natural for a couple of 2008 Eastern Conference teams’ win totals to decline. Orlando may be a product of this in 09, especially if Dwyane Wade helps Southeast Division rival Miami Heat move back into the playoff picture.

Orlando is still one of the top teams in the East, but it’s going to be rather difficult to top last season’s results. Until extra frontcourt pieces and perhaps a serviceable slasher is added to this roster, the Magic may struggle to advance past the second round of the playoffs.

Predicted Standings
49-33
1st in Southeast Division
4th in Eastern Conference

Coming Soon: Philadelphia 76ers