Born to be GIF’ed: Stan Van Gundy reacts to illegal screen call on Marcin Gortat

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(Source: nbamusings)

NBA OFF SEASON PREVIEW: ORLANDO MAGIC

After being the blog fave last season for winning the title (how we failed you, internet!) the Magic have still got their eyes on the prize this season, especially with their potential new state rivals and possible division champs in the Miami Heat looking to take it away from them. Not to mention the Boston Celtics, who defeated the Magic last season to advance to the finals, picked up some dudes as well. Needless to say, the Orlando Magic have some (good) competition this year in the East.

When they made their way to the finals in 2009, the world was exposed to their formula for pick-and-rolls and perimeter shooters, as well as Dwight Howard’s dominance in the paint both offensively and defensively. In the 2009-2010 off-season, they made improvements in substituting Hedo “Pizza Party” Turkoglu for Vince “Half Man, Half Retired” Carter, as well as the addition of Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams, and Ryan Anderson. On paper, the Magic were stacked. But due to Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, and at-times Jameer Nelson failing to step up, the Magic never really managed to find that same dynamic which worked for them in ‘09 with this new lineup.

This season with Matt Barnes going to the Lakers and joining Ron Artest to form the NBA’s version of the Bash Brothers, Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith made a few additions to make sure their team would not lose the intensity Barnes provided. In addition to drafting rookie Daniel Orton, they acquired Quentin Richardson, Malik Allen, and moved Rashard Lewis to Small Forward while playing Marcin Gortat or Brandon Bass as Power Forward for an extra swoll lineup. Oh and yeah, Chris Duhon is also in the team now. 

In a word, the 2010-2011 Orlando Magic can be described as: LEAN.

As if Dwight could get any leaner. During the off-season, Howard worked out with The Dream, Hakeem Olajuwon and picked up a few post moves. Most notable was *gasp* a jump shot which Dwight has been incorporating each game and to his credit, they have been going in. Dwight is also in no-nonsene mode this season as he is keeping his goofy grins and on-court antics to a minimum. Expect the same defensive domination, only with an improved offensive game, and less smiles.

Vince Carter also went through some improvements, shooting just over 60% from the field and averaging close to 18 pts a game in the pre-season. This is also Vince’s contract year so maybe he’ll play the career of his life. Or maybe he’ll get hurt. Or maybe he’s Vince Carter and he already peaked when he dunked over that Euro dude 10 years ago.

Rashard Lewis’s game is also leaner. Now that he’s switched positions he’s camping out at the three less, and driving to the hoop more. For being the highest (over)paid player on the team ($63 mil!), he should have been doing this all along. Simply put: Rashard Lewis needs to step up. 

JJ Redick is also leaner and has time to flex while driving because he’s sitting on a nice $20m contract. The Magic signed him and without hesitation JJ’s already buying $40 coffees in Portland during the off-season.

Quentin Richardson also got leaner. Since GM Otis Smith is not a fan of headbands, QRich got a lot more leaner in the forehead area. QRich’s three-point shooting fits in nicely with the Magic’s system and now that Rashard Lewis will be more of a slasher, Q can camp out at the three as much as he wants. (head bump)

Rookie Daniel Orton is also eating apples to get leaner this season. It’s hard to tell if he will be getting any minutes but at least he’s entertaining off the court.

Even coach Stan Van Gundy got leaner this off-season. 

KEY ADDITIONS:

Marcin Gortat’s mohawk

New Amway arena

New black uniforms (lean and mean)

KEY DEPARTURES

• Matt Barnes
• Stan Van Gundy’s signature mock turtlenecks

MISTAKES

• Signing Chris Duhon

(Mark)