2009-2010 Orlando Magic Preview

2008 Record: 59-23, 1st in Eastern Conf. Southeast Division, lost in NBA Finals
Head Coach: Stan Van Gundy, 3rd season
Key Additions: F Matt Barnes, F Brandon Bass, F-G Vince Carter
Key Losses: G Rafer Alston, C-F Tony Battie, G-F Courtney Lee, F Hedo Turkoglu
1st Round Draft Picks: None
2nd Round Draft Picks: None

2008-'09 Magic Review:

When they trailed the Philadelphia 76ers, two games to one, in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the Orlando Magic weren't viewed to be a major threat for the Eastern Conference championship, especially without stellar point guard Jameer Nelson.

When they fought past the Sixers but then faltered in Game 5 of the East semis against the Boston Celtics, the Magic appeared to have run out of tricks, down 3-2 against the proud defending champs from New England.

When they fell behind by 22 points in the first half of Game 1 of the East Finals against (seemingly) mighty Cleveland, the athletes coached by Stan Van Gundy were silently but genuinely discounted.

Clearly, this team made a habit out of responding to adversity and refuting its critics at every turn. It's not just that the franchise once dubbed as the Orlando Tragic overturned its longstanding reputation for postseason face-plants; the truly amazing aspect of Orlando's rise to the East title, and a competitive NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers (which could have been different if Courtney Lee had made a Game 2 layup, and Dwight Howard had converted one of two free throws late in Game 4), is that no team achieved a bigger psychological transformation from late April through early June than the Magic did. Once so emotionally brittle against Philly (particularly Hedo Turkoglu, who would make a lot of free-agent money in subsequent weeks), Orlando then sucked it up against the Celtics in an uncommonly poised Game 7 display at TD Banknorth Garden. Strengthened by that show of mental might, the Magic then maxed out against Cleveland, as the all-court game of Turkoglu, the perimeter shooting of Rashard Lewis, the inspired bench play of Mickael Pietrus, and the low-post productivity of Howard carried Orlando into its second-ever NBA Finals appearance. The Magic won the first Finals game in their history, but late-game lapses prevented the East champs from taking home the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Still, a special spring did much to remake the image of this suddenly rejuvenated outfit.

2009-'10 Magic Preview:

Based on the past, it's not likely that the Magic's offseason moves--the handiwork of General Manager Otis Smith--will lead the franchise back to the NBA Finals. Yes, Mr. Smith did prove to the rest of the organization that he's serious about winning the NBA title, and it's always good to see a franchise trying to seize a precious period of opportunity. With that said, Orlando's specific deals--while sending the right tone and the proper message to fans, coaches and players--might not turn out to provide the specific pieces that will get this team over the hump in June.

Vince Carter comes with a huge superstar-level price tag, but V.C. doesn't inspire confidence after his so-so run in New Jersey. The loss of Turkoglu was and is substantial: Orlando will miss the Turk's combination of long-distance shooting and big-man passing, and it remains to be seen if Carter can adequately compensate for Turkoglu's absence. Courtney Lee's defense moved to New Jersey while Carter headed to Florida, but the saving grace in the deal was that Rafer Alston--not exactly the biggest fan of coach Stan Van Gundy--also departed for the Meadowlands. Retaining big man Marcin Gortat rates as a plus, but not as the massive boost some people think it is.

The key for Orlando in 2010 is all about three simple concepts: First, Howard--under the tutelage of Magic assistant Patrick Ewing--needs to learn the dance steps and post moves that will make him a less predictable and harder-to-guard scorer on the low blocks. If Howard can accomplish that transformation, the Magic instantly become a far more imposing opponent for anyone they face. The second major factor for this team is that Nelson must stay healthy. A dependable point guard will fill many holes and answer numerous questions for the Magic, after they had to muddle through with Alston and Anthony Johnson for most of the '09 playoffs. The third huge priority for this team can be summed up in one sentence: The doubted players on the Magic--Carter in particular, but also Gortat and new acquisition Matt Barnes (from Phoenix)--must prove their worth. If all three of these "what-ifs" turn into realities, Orlando will likely defend its Eastern Conference crown. But from this preseason vantage point, that's asking a lot of the Magic.

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By Matthew Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer

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