- Paris Olympics takeaways: What did Team USA’s crunch-time lineup say about NBA’s hierarchy?Posted 4 months ago
- Zach Edey posted an easy double-double in Summer League debut. Here’s why he’ll succeed in NBAPosted 5 months ago
- What will we most remember these champion Boston Celtics for?Posted 6 months ago
- After long, seven-year road filled with excruciating losses, Celtics’ coast to NBA title felt ‘surreal’Posted 6 months ago
- South Florida men’s basketball is on an unbelievable heater– but also still on the bubblePosted 10 months ago
- Kobe Bufkin is balling out for Atlanta Hawks’ G League team. When will he be called up to NBA?Posted 11 months ago
- Former Knicks guards Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett may yet prove Raptors won the OG Anunoby tradePosted 11 months ago
- Rebounding savant Oscar Tshiebwe finally gets NBA chance he’s deserved for yearsPosted 1 year ago
- Is Tyrese Maxey vs. Tyrese Haliburton the next great NBA guard rivalry?Posted 1 year ago
- The Detroit Pistons are going to be a problem in a few yearsPosted 1 year ago
2012-13 NBA Preview: Orlando Magic
- Updated: October 13, 2012
11. Orlando Magic
HOW THEY CAN WIN: Jameer Nelson has been spectacular at times, and at others, he’s been an average NBA point guard. He’s going to need to be the former for the Magic to compete this season. Nelson averaged 15.6 points and 6.6 assists per game last season, but he will be the focal point of the offense this year. Glen “Don’t call me Big Baby” Davis and Aaron Afflalo are capable scorers, and first-round picks Andrew Nicholson and Moe Harkless could both have all-rookie campaigns.
WHY THEY WON’T: It’s tough to replace a player like Dwight Howard, even if he was bitching and complaining all year in 2011-12. His rebounding, scoring, and defensive presence will be missed dearly. Also gone are the double teams he created, meaning the Magic’s three-point shooters won’t be as open as they were in the past.
FINAL DESTINATION: If everything falls into place, this could still be a playoff team. Things are going to have to revolve around Nelson, who has the potential to put together a big season and lead this team back to the Dance. It’s not likely… but it’s still possible with this roster.
OUR CALL: 35-47.
| TEAM ROSTER | |||||||
| NO. | NAME | POS | AGE | HT | WT | COLLEGE | 2012-2013 SALARY |
| 4 | Arron Afflalo | G | 26 | 6-5 | 215 | UCLA | $7,750,000 |
| 19 | Gustavo Ayon | F | 27 | 6-10 | 250 | $1,500,000 | |
| 11 | Glen Davis | F | 26 | 6-9 | 289 | LSU | $6,400,000 |
| 8 | Christian Eyenga | F | 23 | 6-7 | 210 | $1,174,080 | |
| 21 | Maurice Harkless | F | 19 | 6-8 | 210 | St. John’s | $1,731,960 |
| 32 | Justin Harper | F | 23 | 6-9 | 225 | Richmond | $762,195 |
| 3 | Al Harrington | F | 32 | 6-9 | 245 | $6,687,400 | |
| 1 | Armon Johnson | G | 23 | 6-3 | 195 | Nevada | $104,494 |
| 4 | Chris Johnson | F | 0 | 0-0 | 00 | ||
| 20 | DeQuan Jones | G | 22 | 6-8 | 221 | Miami (FL) | |
| 17 | Josh McRoberts | F | 25 | 6-10 | 240 | Duke | $3,135,000 |
| 55 | E’Twaun Moore | G | 23 | 6-4 | 191 | Purdue | $762,195 |
| 14 | Jameer Nelson | G | 30 | 6-0 | 190 | Saint Joseph’s | $8,600,000 |
| 44 | Andrew Nicholson | F | 22 | 6-9 | 250 | St. Bonaventure | $1,418,160 |
| 2 | Kyle O’Quinn | F | 22 | 6-10 | 240 | Norfolk State | $788,872 |
| 7 | J.J. Redick | G | 28 | 6-4 | 190 | Duke | $6,190,000 |
| 5 | Quentin Richardson | F | 32 | 6-6 | 228 | DePaul | $2,627,400 |
| 10 | Ishmael Smith | G | 24 | 6-0 | 175 | Wake Forest | $854,389 |
| 15 | Hedo Turkoglu | F | 33 | 6-10 | 220 | $11,815,850 | |
| 9 | Nikola Vucevic | F | 21 | 7-0 | 240 | USC | $1,719,480 |
Pingback: 2012-13 NBA Preview: Orlando Magic | JockSpin.com Sports News and Opinion Aggregator and Publisher