Player the Magic Wish They Had

[ManUp]

Rondo.

[cdif911]

Michael Jordan circa 92...

[blackbird]

I'm with the OP, in that the key to our defense has been our ability to single cover Howard.

Obviously upgrading the SG from Carter to a killer like Wade or Kobe would help, but we've been able to handle those two as well, and I think we could do it to them again if nobody has to help on Howard.

But I disagree that Big Al is the player who would help the most, since he is as much a liability on defense as Howard is on offense. The one center this year who (in my opinion) had the best all around game was:

Andrew Bogut. I think he would be the difference maker for Orlando.

[celticinorlando]

PP

[ibby]

I'm with the OP, in that the key to our defense has been our ability to single cover Howard.

Obviously upgrading the SG from Carter to a killer like Wade or Kobe would help, but we've been able to handle those two as well, and I think we could do it to them again if nobody has to help on Howard.

But I disagree that Big Al is the player who would help the most, since he is as much a liability on defense as Howard is on offense. The one center this year who (in my opinion) had the best all around game was:

Andrew Bogut. I think he would be the difference maker for Orlando.

I feel as though with a stronger SG Howard would not be relied on so much for offense and could focus more on getting rebounds and less on being the focal point.  His post game blows rebounds and put backs are where he gets the majority of his points.

[Rondo_is_better]

Rondo. Jameer Nelson has 7 assists FOR THE SERIES. 10 turnovers.

that's 2.33 assists per game. and a .7 to 1 assist to turn over ratio. For some perspective: a good Ast. to TO ratio is 3:1, a great ratio 4:1. Rondo has 28 assists in this series alone. 8 turnovers. Thats a 3.5 to 1 ratio.

The foolish debate propagated at the beginning of the series: who will be better, Rondo or Nelson?

The answer: Rondo >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nelson

its absurd that Jameer Nelson has ever made an all-star team. Almost as bad as Mo Williams having made it.

[Fan from VT]

I'm frightened of what a healthy Chris Paul would do on the magic. Remember how good he and Chandler looked the one season chandler was healthy? Now picture Dwight throwing down all those oops and dunks. Not to mention the damage Paul could do with Lewis/Carter/Redick on the three point line.

[moiso]

Wade, Kobe, or a healthy Lebron.  They really need someone with some mental toughness and competitiveness.  Kobe is the most cold blooded of the bunch.
A legit power forward to replace Lewis would be nice too.  Maybe Dirk or Duncan.

[Who]

If the Magic cannot get an elite scorer/playmaker on the perimeter ...

Then I think they are best off going with a more traditional lineup and switching Lewis back to the small forward position. Become more of a grind it out type ball club.

[P2]

LeBron. /thread

[housecall]

From the looks of things Stan probably wishes they kept Turk...it seems he was the brains of that outfit.There is no true leader on the court.At least Turk gave them some direction in crunch times.

[the_Bird]

If the Magic cannot get an elite scorer/playmaker on the perimeter ...

Then I think they are best off going with a more traditional lineup and switching Lewis back to the small forward position. Become more of a grind it out type ball club.

Listening to either ESPN or NBA-TV this morning, one of the analysts was taking about how the Magic didn't have a playmaking guy, that they were entirely toss-it-in-to-Dwight-then-kick-it-out-to-the-three-point-shooters. 

And I was thinking...  what the hell happened to Vince Carter?  I mean, he's SUPPOSED to be that elite playmaker/scorer.  He's the guy that they really need to step up.  He's not even being remembered anymore, and he SHOULD be their second-best player every night.

I can't see the Magic becoming a grind-it-out team, not with the guys they have there.  Who on that team is a grinder?  I might have said Matt Barnes a few weeks ago, but he's a complete nothing so far. 

Their best players just don't have that mentality, and it's not something you can fake or force.

[FallGuy]

If the Magic cannot get an elite scorer/playmaker on the perimeter ...

Then I think they are best off going with a more traditional lineup and switching Lewis back to the small forward position. Become more of a grind it out type ball club.

Listening to either ESPN or NBA-TV this morning, one of the analysts was taking about how the Magic didn't have a playmaking guy, that they were entirely toss-it-in-to-Dwight-then-kick-it-out-to-the-three-point-shooters. 

And I was thinking...  what the hell happened to Vince Carter?  I mean, he's SUPPOSED to be that elite playmaker/scorer.  He's the guy that they really need to step up.  He's not even being remembered anymore, and he SHOULD be their second-best player every night.

It's great, isn't it? You can always count on Vince to not come through in the clutch and especially against a physical team. Who didn't see this coming a mile away?

[Who]

If the Magic cannot get an elite scorer/playmaker on the perimeter ...

Then I think they are best off going with a more traditional lineup and switching Lewis back to the small forward position. Become more of a grind it out type ball club.

Listening to either ESPN or NBA-TV this morning, one of the analysts was taking about how the Magic didn't have a playmaking guy, that they were entirely toss-it-in-to-Dwight-then-kick-it-out-to-the-three-point-shooters. 

And I was thinking...  what the hell happened to Vince Carter?  I mean, he's SUPPOSED to be that elite playmaker/scorer.  He's the guy that they really need to step up.  He's not even being remembered anymore, and he SHOULD be their second-best player every night.

It's great, isn't it? You can always count on Vince to not come through in the clutch and especially against a physical team. Who didn't see this coming a mile away?

Vince has gotten old.

I saw some numbers earlier in the season that showed that Vince was responsible for more points per possession in pick and rolls in New Jersey than in Orlando ... despite being surrounded by far more weapons.

He just hasn't been able to survive in that pick and roll game the Magic play. Doesn't have the quickness anymore.