The Magic Draft Board
It's likely to come from this list:
JJ Redick
Randy Foye
Ronnie Brewer
Rodney Carney
Patrick O'Bryant
Cedric Simmons
Saer Sene
JJ Redick
Randy Foye
Ronnie Brewer
Rodney Carney
Patrick O'Bryant
Cedric Simmons
Saer Sene
Florida Today: "Former Duke star J.J. Redick was in Orlando last Friday to dine with Smith, Twardzik and head coach Brian Hill, but Redick did not work out for the team because of a mild back injury.
He recently had a pain-killing injection in his back and was checked out by team doctors last week in Orlando. The injury was not deemed to be serious, Twardzik said.
Also, Redick was arrested earlier this month in Durham, N.C., on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, but the incident isn't expected to affect his draft stock. Redick won all or part of five national player-of-the-year awards this past season after averaging 26.8 points per game.
'It has to raise some red flags, and you just do more background checks to see if this is something that's a problem or was it just a foolish mistake the kid made,' Twardzik said. 'You go beyond just talking to the people at Duke because you don't want a one-sided story. We think we've done our homework.'
Arkansas's Ronnie Brewer, Memphis' Rodney Carney and Villanova's Randy Foye are other shooting guard options.
The Magic could opt for a post player to give them more bulk on the low block. The Magic are stocked at power forward with Dwight Howard, Darko Milicic, Tony Battie and Garrity, but they lack a true center.
Some centers expected to be available at No. 11 are Bradley's Patrick O'Bryant (7-0, 249), North Carolina State's Cedric Simmons (6-10, 223) and Senegal's Saer Sene.
O'Bryant is a classic late-bloomer whose stock had shot up dramatically of late. Sene still is learning the game but is projected as a top-notch shot-blocker with an incredible 7-foot, 81/2-inch wingspan."
posted by WeRDevos @ 10:00 AM
3 Comments:
At 8:53 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
I wonder if Redick's back problems had anything to do with the fact that he had a couple of really horrible games late in the season where he couldn't throw the ball into the ocean. Or was it just fatigue?
Nevertheless, as long as the Magic have fully checked out Redick and are satisfied enough to draft him, his incredible shooting range would be a huge boost for the Magic off the bench. But can the Magic live with the fact that he's not very athletic and isn't known for defense?
If they pass on Redick, I think either Foye, Brewer, or Carney would be good picks also. Or, if they can sign a established shooting guard through free agency, maybe they can take a chance on O"Bryant, but I am not sure he could help the Magic much next season because he does have a lot to learn (even though he does have the potential).
Steven Hunter had potential when the Magic drafted him in 2002. Like O'Bryant, Hunter only played 2 years in college, and had a lot to learn. As it turned out, Hunter was basically a non-factor in the NBA until last season with Philly, when he had several nice games as a starter late in the season.
Can the Magic wait 3 or 4 seasons for O'Bryant to fully develop? Or do they think he can develop faster than Hunter?
Can't wait to see what Otis has in mind come Wednesday.
At 10:04 AM,
WeRDevos said…
If you believe those awful numbers about Stevenson then they have to take a SG AND find another one via a free agent unless Dooling or Ariza could start at SG. Both Redick and Brewer are interesting if Roy & Foye are gone. Other than D.Wade what SG has come in, started, and led a lottery team to the playoffs in his first year lately?
Half of the SG's in the league could be available (for various reasons) between July 1 and the February deadline including Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Corey Maggette, Larry Hughes, Ben Gordon, Stephen Jackson, Jamal Crawford, Marquis Daniels, JR Smith. By February some of them could be available for an expiring contract.
Still need to find a 4th big that can contribute and eventually improve on Battie.
At 3:03 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
Yes... draft day is here!! One of my favorite days of the year!
Both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times have the Magic taking J.J. Redick in their mock drafts. Both papers also have Patrick O'Bryant going before the 11th spot. WeRDevos is right... O'Bryant's stock has really gone up! The Trib has Randy Foye being available when the Magic pick. If it comes down to between Foye and Redick, I would hope the Magic would take Foy. Otherwise, I hope Redick is the Magic's man!
It's really interesting following all the wild trade rumors that are going around... wonder how many will turn out to be true tonight?
i'll be tuned in to ESPN tonight... that's for sure!
Post a Comment
<< Home