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NBA 2009: Dallas Mavericks -- An interview about the Orlando Magic
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I loved you first, Marquis. (AP Photo/Bizuayehu Tesfaye)
Kenny Samsel, the Orlando Magic Examiner, emailed me the other day wondering about my thoughts on various subjects relating to the Mavericks. Of course, I was interested in his thoughts on the Magic. By my view, a reasonable one I think, both the Magic and the Mavericks represent one of about eight teams who have a significant shot to go far in the postseason next year (Lakers, Cleveland, Spurs, Nuggets, Blazers, Celtics, Magic, Mavericks, in some order.) Here is what he had to say. I found it very interesting, I hope you will as well.
First, the somewhat silent Elephant in the room, and I mean no disrespect. On the one hand, you could say that the East has won three of the last six championships—and certainly the East has come a long way. On the other hand, the truth is that besides the top three in the East (of which you guys, certainly, are one), there’s not much in the way of championship contenders. Miami and Atlanta, the fourth and fifth teams, played a putrid series, for example, and then got swept by the Cavs. Do you think playing in the East, playing against weaker opposition, can explain the Cavs struggles against the Magic—though many thought the Cavs couldn’t be stopped, based on their W-L-- and the Magic’s struggles against the Lakers? Or did Orlando just play great against the Cavs and poorly against the Lakers? Or are the Lakers better than both teams?
I’ll answer the last question first…last year, the Lakers were better than both Orlando and Cleveland (and Denver, Boston, Houston, etc.). Their victory in the Finals had nothing to do with the fact that the Magic played in the East. Remember, two of the Lakers’ victories were off of a missed layup in Los Angeles, and Dwight missing FTs in Orlando. So, if anything, the Magic proved that they could hang with the contenders in the West. (Keep in mind also that Orlando had one of the best cross-conference records of any teams…going to the West on a road trip and beating all division leaders in their home towns in that span). Now, in terms of the Cavs, Celtics, and Magic’s W-L record, I will agree that it was padded a bit from being in the East, however, when it came to cross-conference play, they weren’t doormats. Keep in mind also, the same argument can be said for the West which includes the Grizzlies, T-Wolves, Thunder, Clippers, Kings, and Warriors. How many Lakers wins were padded in that aspect?
I will contend that, outside of the Lakers, Nuggets, Spurs, and Mavs, there aren’t any real contenders in the West. The Rockets are always in the injury zone, Portland is still extremely young, the Jazz are a softer team, and the Hornets and Suns play no defense. Don’t get me wrong, the West is the more dominating of the team, but, I don’t think that, because the Cavs, Celtics, and Magic play in the East, they are inferior to the contenders in the West.
How have the additions and losses your team suffered (or enjoyed!) in the off-season changed your expectations for next season, if at all?
Losing Hedo wasn’t as big of a loss as people might think. Although they lose a playoff hero, take a look at the numbers and it’s really not that big of a loss. He shot less than 50% in the playoffs, turned the ball over numerous times, and barely played any defense. Yes, he had a few big shots and provided the offensive spark, but, really, they’re paying Rashard $189 bagillion dollars to be the number one shooter, putting all their reliance on Dwight Howard to dunk it in, and even relying on Jameer Nelson to be the scrappy jump shot artist. Hedo was just the icing on the cake. When it was apparent that he no longer wanted to stay in Orlando, the Magic did the right move by nabbing Vince.
The biggest blow is losing Courtney Lee. As a defensive minded 2-guard, he did seem like the future permanent starter seeing as the lineup already had the offensive likes of Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, and Nelson. Tack on the addition of Brandon Bass and the retention of Marcin Gortat, and Lee was in the absolute perfect situation as a player. Unfortunately, in order to get the high flying Vince, Lee had to be traded. If you’re New Jersey, you don’t give up your biggest star if you don’t get a potential all-star in return. (After all, you have your long-term PG, and are lobbying for LeBron next year, why not pair him up with your long-term 2-guard?)
What do you think the biggest unanswered question for your team is, going into next season?
Obviously the biggest question will be if Vince Carter can still play. Not so much if he can replace Hedo, but will Vince Carter, in his 30s keep up with the high energy pace of the young Magic squad. He is returning “home” (playing high school ball 45 minutes away in Daytona Beach) and will be re-energized to play for a contender (not to mention that his daughter is here). I’m afraid Vincanity has lost a step and won’t be the high flying dunker/scorer we’ve come to love in the past. But, as a 4th option on offense, that’s still a dangerous starting lineup.
What are you most excited about?
The fact that the Magic have a quality bench. Nelson, Carter, Lewis, Brandon Bass, Howard are the starters, with a bench of Mickael Pietrus, JJ Redick, Anthony Johnson, Ryan Anderson, Jason Williams, Matt Barnes, and of course, Marcin Gortat. We all saw the what Pietrus, Redick, Gortat, and Johnson had to offer last season, and adding Anderson (who had better rookie numbers than starter Courtney Lee) and Barnes (former starter for the high-scoring Suns) is just a thing of beauty. I documented my love for the free agent acquisitions in these two articles.
How far do you think you can go next season, and what makes it different from last season?
Obviously, experience is the biggest factor that will get them far next season. As I’ve mentioned before, the depth of this team is tremendously better than last season. Although Tony Battie, Rafer Alston, and Courtney Lee were key components in getting the Magic to where they were, Bass, Barnes, Anderson, Williams, and Carter are definite upgrades. I truly believe they’ll repeat as Eastern Conference Champs and have an even better chance of winning it all.
What do you think Dwight Howard’s ceiling as a player is? Do you think he’ll reach it? Why or why not.
Dwight Howard has the ability to be one of the best centers the NBA has seen. Although he has yet to develop that go-to move, he is dominant enough in the paint to be the defensive force Orlando asks him to be. Offensively (outside of the dunks) he does act as a great double-team attractor to free up the rest of the team…again, just what the Magic ask him to do. What will prevent him from going down as THE best center in the NBA is his hands. The man turns the ball over way too much and has one of the lowest assist totals in the league. As I documented in this article, Dwight just doesn’t know how to pass the ball well enough to call him an MVP, much less “the best”. And of course, he does struggle offensively. David Robinson had impeccable timing. Hakeem Olajuwon was supreme agility. Patrick Ewing had his jump shot. What does Dwight have other than dunks? (Which is perplexing considering Ewing was hired SOLELY to help Howard with his offensive game. What on Earth is he teaching him? How to miss free throws in the clutch?)
Rashard Lewis vs. Dirk Nowitzki, right now. One on one. Who wins?
What’s important is how you phrased that question. In a game of 1-on-1, Lewis has the slight nod. Rashard tends to be more of a street-baller and if anyone paid attention to his days in Seattle, you would’ve noticed his shooting guard tendencies. His speed and agility are better than Dirk’s (not to say that Nowitzki is slow by any means, Rashard just happens to be younger and more agile). Considering the style required to play 1-on-1, I’d say Lewis wins. Now, if you were to ask me who’s the better forward, I would say Dirk. His fundamentals and tenacity to grab the rebound blows Lewis away. Although both have the sweet shot necessary to be a 3-ball threat, Dirk’s defensive prowess gives him the edge as the better NBA player.
If you want Kenny's interview with ME--and I know you do-- check it out here.
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