2023-24 Orlando Magic Thread

Originally posted by valrod33:
Prediction, this will not work.

Prediction: Your prediction is invalrod.

Originally posted by jrg:

Originally posted by valrod33:
Prediction, this will not work.

Prediction: Your prediction is invalrod.

If this team gets lucky enough to get by the Celtics how the hell is this team gonna match up against the Lakers? Its not. They will get Howard in foul trouble and then you guys have zero size after that. Bynum, Gasol and Odom will destroy your front court

Should have just traded Arenas for Carter and thats it.

Originally posted by valrod33:

Originally posted by jrg:

Originally posted by valrod33:
Prediction, this will not work.

Prediction: Your prediction is invalrod.

If this team gets lucky enough to get by the Celtics how the hell is this team gonna match up against the Lakers? Its not. They will get Howard in foul trouble and then you guys have zero size after that. Bynum, Gasol and Odom will destroy your front court

Should have just traded Arenas for Carter and thats it.

Naah. Lewis is crap, this team is more talented now.

I like what the Magic did. You now have the old Warriors backcourt. If only I had 2k11, that would be a fun team to play with

I think this makes Orlando a better team for the playoffs once everyone learns to play together. Certainly they will be fun to watch. Probably doesnt matter as far as getting to the finals though. LA-Miami. Book it.

Gilbert Arenas ecstatic over trade to the Orlando Magic


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-gilbert-arenas-speaks-12192020101218,0,807849.story

Reporter - "Otis has said...you're like his son...he said you guys talk a couple times a week."

Gilbert - "Yeah, yeah..it's like a reunion..me, him, and Jason Richardson..when I found out Jason was coming too I was like OOOOOH WE'RE BACK!"

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:
I think this makes Orlando a better team for the playoffs once everyone learns to play together. Certainly they will be fun to watch. Probably doesnt matter as far as getting to the finals though. LA-Miami. Book it.

That will be great - right now I feel it will be Celtics and the Lakers, but ask me again before the playoffs start. Spurs are another team that can't be over-looked.

Magic/Lakers rematch

Paybacks a b***h.

What will the new Orlando Magic’s starting lineup look like?

Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith executed two of the biggest trades in franchise history on Saturday, and he finalized both deals within an hour of each other. As today’s events sink in, we’ll answer the biggest questions surrounding the Magic moving forward. Check back throughout the night as we continue to analyze this trade from every angle.

What will the new starting lineup be?

Stan Van Gundy cleared up a pretty big question mark in today’s pre-game press conference when he said Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard are the only definite starters once the new-look Magic come together. So, if anyone expected Gilbert Arenas to be the team’s starting point guard, you can nix that notion.

Additionally, Van Gundy indicated Bass will continue to start, so that leaves two wing spots for Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas.


Turkoglu will, in all likelihood, start at the small forward position – he’s the most prototypical three out of the group, and he’s already comfortable playing alongside Howard and Nelson.

That leaves Richardson and Arenas to fill the shooting guard spot. Richardson’s a fantastic complementary piece to Nelson and Turkoglu because of his ability to hit threes and slash to the rim away from the ball. Richardson doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be successful, although he is capable of creating his own shot.

Arenas, meanwhile, is a much better player when he’s the focal point of the offense, and it’s probable that his game will slightly clash with Nelson’s. For this reason, Arenas will be a fantastic sixth man, a player who can bring energy and scoring to the second unit.

Really, Arenas’ game is great coming off the bench. Think of the other great sixth men of recent – Manu Ginobili, Jamal Crawford, Jason Terry. Arenas can bring the same type of punch as those guys brought their teams in recent seasons.

Nelson (28) Arenas (20)
JRich (20) Arenas (12) JJ (16)
Hedo (28) JRich (12) Q (8)
Bass (35) Turkoglu (13) (Anderson injury)
Howard (38) Allen (10)

Q-Rich for a backup center.

Cohen: The Electrifying Additions





ORLANDO -- I remember watching the 2001 NCAA Championship Game between the Duke Blue Devils and Arizona Wildcats and reiterating to myself during the telecast; Gilbert Arenas has the potential to be one of the most electrifying and breathtaking guards in the NBA.

For a while in Washington he was -- a dynamic guard with an unquenchable thirst to score -- and now that he has been dealt to Orlando, the man who will suit up wearing #1 on his jersey hopes to return to superstar status.

A deceptively nippy player who can distribute and put the ball in the hoop with ease, Arenas was drafted in the second round (31st overall) by the Golden State Warriors and almost immediately became the “steal” of the 2001 NBA Draft.

He was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player after a sensational second season and thereafter signed with Washington to hopefully bolster their blossoming franchise.

Not only did the Wizards become one of the more improved teams in the league, Agent Zero, as he was affectionately nicknamed during most of his time in the nation’s capital, transformed into a potent offensive machine that can score in a variety of ways.

An MVP candidate in 2006, the Los Angeles, California product averaged nearly 30 points a game that season and became renowned for his pressure-packed late-game heroic shots.

While the last few seasons have been a struggle for Arenas due to injuries and last year’s altercation, the three-time NBA All-Star has seemingly re-discovered his rhythm this season. “Hibachi,” another self-proclaimed nickname he created, is averaging 17.3 points and 5.6 assists thus far.

As a result, Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Otis Smith, who was a mentor for Gilbert during their time together in Golden State, felt acquiring him was a perfect fit.


"What Arenas will bring to this team is a little bit of toughness," Smith said.

Although it remains undecided if he will start at the shooting guard position or come off the bench and serve as a backup to either Jameer Nelson or the newly acquired Jason Richardson, Arenas’ flexibility and multi-dimensional assets will almost certainly be obliging.

During their respective time in Orlando, both Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis buried their fair share of late-game shots. But now with both of them moving on, it will be imperative for Arenas to step in and serve as a primary scorer in the late stages of a close game.

Jason Richardson is often branded for two notable qualities: Explode to the basket and finish with authority and bury 3-pointer after 3-pointer after 3-pointer.

While most of the chit-chatter regarding this blockbuster deal will center on the acquisition of Gilbert Arenas and the return of fan favorite Hedo Turkoglu, it’s very possible that the most game-altering addition will be that of J-Rich.

An NCAA champion at Michigan State in 2000 and a former two-time NBA Slam Dunk champion, Richardson enjoyed a splendid career with the Warriors, Bobcats and Suns.

By just examining his statistics over the course of his career, it is very apparent that the high-flyer will likely have similar accomplishments in Orlando. Since his second season in the league, Richardson has never averaged below 15 points a game and has generally always been among the NBA leaders in 3-pointers made.

Last season in Phoenix, for example, the shooting guard helped the Suns advance to the Western Conference Finals and erupted for a playoff career-high 42 points in a win over the Blazers in the First Round.

This season, he has had several outstanding performances, including nailing 7-of-10 treys during a Suns 3-point barrage against the Lakers.

Like Turkoglu and Arenas, J-Rich plays extremely well off the pick-and-roll, which is a staple of NBA success.

"Scorer, shooter, very good coming off the down screens," Otis Smith said of the 10-year veteran.

He also is in the last year of his contract, which is really attractive for the Magic. If the action-packed Richardson plays up to form, Orlando will have the opportunity to re-sign him at any cost it wants. If not, the franchise can look at this addition as a rental for ¾ of a season.

edit

Well if anything, these series of trades is early enough for the new team to gel with still 3/4 of the season remaining. Thank the lord for getting rid of Carter and Lewis.

Originally posted by jrg:
Magic/Lakers rematch

Paybacks a b***h.

see ya there

I haven't seen Earl Clark play but this is coming from a Suns fan.

Quote:
Hey Orlando fans.

I'm a Suns fan, and I thought you may want some more information on one of your newest acquisitions, Earl Clark.

Earl Clark is a 6'10, 225lb, PF, although he does have SF and C capabilities aswell.

Ever since he was drafted, I had been following Earl Clark, and wishing/hoping for him to be put into the Suns rotation, unfortunately it was not to be. I wish all the best for Clark at his new home

Strengths

The first thing you will notice about Clark, is that he is very long. He has a wingspan of 7' 2.5". His main asset he brings is defense. In my opinion, he was the best all-round defender on the Suns. A day before he was traded, Earl Clark was put in the game against the MAvericks, to defend Dirk Nowitzki. While Clark was on the court, Nowitzki scored less than 6 points.

Clark positioned his body extremely well, and did not allow Dirk an opening to the basket, therefore forcing Dirk to shoot incredibly difficult fade aways over him, which is not easy considering Clark's length. Everyone on the Suns board who was watching the game was mightily impressed with Clark's defence, and that is not the first time he has shown those skills.

On December 3, 2010, Earl Clark, with the help of Grant Hill and Dudley, kept Danny Granger to 8 points on 2-13 shooting. Clark repeatedly forced Granger into very very difficult shots from the outside, and again, did not allow Granger open lanes to the basket.

On offense, Earl Clark uses his great speed and quickness to try to drive to the basket. He is very athletic, and is capable of throwing down a big dunk. He is also an excellent passer. Many many times, we have seen Earl drive to the basket, and dish off a sneaky pass to an open teammate for an easy lay-up/dunk.

Weaknesses
Earl Clark is still very skinny. He needs to put on some weight to be more effective on the court. Due to not playing much during his time in Phoenix, he sometimes does look lost on the court, but the only way that can be solved is if he gets good playing time.

On offense, Earl Clark does not drive as much as he should. Instead he settles for difficult pull-up jumpers, which he hardly hits.

In summary, I think Magic fans should not overlook what Clark can bring to your team. When I first heard of the trade, I was very disappointed to hear Clark outgoing. To put in perspective of my opinion of Earl Clark, if you gave me a choice of who I wanted to keep, I would've chosen Earl Clark over Michael Pietrus any day of the week.


Good luck with Earl Clark Orlando. I wish you all the best in the future!