Archive for July, 2009

Jul30th

Is Vince Carter Underrated?

AUTHOR: Andrew Melnick | IN: Orlando Magic | COMMENTS: 4 Comments

Since the Magic acquired Vince Carter and Hedo Turkoglu subsequently signed with the Toronto Raptors, analysts and fans have been criticizing the move that brought Carter to Orlando. Most sportswriters have suggested that it would have been a better move to throw all of the money at Turkoglu and keep rookie standout Courtney Lee rather than acquire Carter. Why? Let’s take a look at the numbers and not even consider the fact that Turkoglu rejected a 5-years $45 million deal from the Magic (which most of the writers, fans and analysts don’t consider anyway) after Vince Carter was acquired.
Let’s take [...]

Jul28th

Magic Doubters At It Again

AUTHOR: Andrew Melnick | IN: Orlando Magic | COMMENTS: 3 Comments

The Magic doubters are out in full force. Many of the questions about the Magic were discussed last week. You can see that here. Now, Bill Simmons is back at it. After the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs last season, Simmons told his readers not to think that the Magic were good because they beat a depleted Celtics team. Never mind that Orlando’s All star PG Jameer Nelson missed the series and that starting SG Courtney Lee was injured, missing the first 2 games and never quite looked like the same Courtney Lee that was very impressive in the [...]

Jul27th

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AUTHOR: Andrew Melnick | IN: Orlando Magic | COMMENTS: 1 Comment

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Jul27th

Watson Deal Looking Less and Less Likely; Who Will Play PG Behind Jameer?

AUTHOR: Andrew Melnick | IN: Orlando Magic | COMMENTS: None Yet

The Orlando Magic and CJ Watson would still like to strike a deal that would allow Watson play for the Magic next season but each day, the deal seems less and less likely to happen. As reported last week, the two parties don’t seem match up financially. After the Magic signed Matt Barnes to a 2-year deal, they have used just about every resource they have. Even if the Magic did have the money to sign Watson, it appears that the Warriors would almost certainly match the offer because Watson is a restricted Free Agent and they have expressed interest [...]

Jul22nd

Watson Wants Orlando and Orlando Wants Watson

AUTHOR: Andrew Melnick | IN: Orlando Magic | COMMENTS: 2 Comments

CJ Watson is young, having just turned 25 years old. He had a good season last year, playing in 77 games, starting 18. He averaged 9.5 PPG, 2.7 APG and 2.5 RPG. The other day, I mentioned that Watson was rated as the 9th best backup PG in the NBA by the Official Examiner. He has only played 2 seasons, so he is almost sure to improve on those numbers. Watson’s big at 6’2 and he uses his size to give opposing PGs fits. He’s a very fundamentally sound player. He has good range and is a good shooter. He [...]

Jul20th

Magic, Barnes Agree in Principle

AUTHOR: Andrew Melnick | IN: Orlando Magic | COMMENTS: 3 Comments

According to Marc Stein of his ESPN.com, his sources say that the Orlando Magic are close to finalizing a deal with Free Agent SF Matt Barnes.
One source told ESPN.com that Barnes and the Magic have agreed in principle on a two-year deal for an undisclosed amount that could be announced as early as Tuesday.
This is a great move for the Magic.  He averaged 10.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 2.8 APG for the Phoenix Suns last season. Barnes could play SF and allow Rashard Lewis to stay at PF or he could come off the bench and make Mickael Pietrus primarily [...]

Jul20th

Answering Orlando’s Questions

AUTHOR: Andrew Melnick | IN: Orlando Magic | COMMENTS: 5 Comments

Once again, many of the “experts” are doubting the Orlando Magic. After nearly every NBA analyst in the country was proved wrong after picking the Magic to lose their 2nd round series to the Boston Celtics and the Eastern Conference Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers, these critics have found several new ways to question the Magic.
Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus, thinks that the Magic could have had a better offseason.
Everyone is up in arms about the loss of Hedo Turkoglu to the Toronto Raptors. Critics think the Magic are spending Turkoglu’s money on Bass, Gortat and Carter, but Orlando [...]

Jul17th

Matt Barnes Down to 3, Magic to Sign CJ Watson to Offer Sheet

AUTHOR: Andrew Melnick | IN: Orlando Magic | COMMENTS: 2 Comments

After all of the talk of Ric Bucher and Jared Dudley’s twitter conversation about Matt Barnes’ next destination (Dudley said he’d be going to Atlanta or Cleveland), it seems like Barnes has three teams from which to choose from. According to Joe Davidson of The Sacramento Bee, Barnes has received interested from Cleveland, Dallas and Orlando. There was no mention of the Atlanta Hawks.
Barnes, a 29-year-old swingman, is long and lanky at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds. His next team would be his seventh NBA stop. He is coming off a career year in which he averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds [...]

Jul17th

Jared Dudley: NBA Insider

AUTHOR: Andrew Melnick | IN: Orlando Magic | COMMENTS: 4 Comments

Now we know where Rich Bucher really gets all of his inside information. From Phoenix Suns Forward Jared Dudley of course.
JaredDudley619@RicBucher and also matt will be at cleveland or atl… show ur boy some love
Dudley, through his twitter, told Bucher that Matt Barnes would be signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Atlanta Hawks. Dudley was Barnes’ teammate in Phoenix last season. After reports of these tweets surfaced all over the web, Bucher went on a tirade, complaining about people using his tweets as news and subsequently decided to stop tweeting altogether.
What did Bucher expect to happen? He shared his [...]

Jul15th

Magic Close With Matt Barnes? What’s Next?

AUTHOR: Andrew Melnick | IN: Orlando Magic | COMMENTS: 1 Comment

Matt Barnes has been widely discussed among Magic and Cavaliers fans over the last week or so. Many thought he may be Cleveland bound, but according to Cleveland beat writer Brian Windhorst, through his twitter, this is not true.
Now in Vegas for summer league. Tho there has been contact, Cavs are not talking contract with M. Barnes right now. A. Parker signed today.
Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld.com, believes that the Magic have already offered Matt Barnes a contract.
They (Orlando) have been after Matt Barnes… I think he’s gotten an offer from Otis, not sure they are ready to accept it… Aaron [...]