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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 |
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