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Friday, August 18, 2006

Starting Line-up

Three positions of Center, Power-forward and Point-guard were easy to decide. Shooting-guard and Small-forward positions needed some study before reaching any decision. A simple scorecard pointing system has been used to evaluate the players, although I have to admit that scoring is not scientific, and could become subjective at times. Each player received positive, as well as negative points on their strengths and weaknesses, respectively:

· Center: Darko Milicic
· Power-forward: Dwight Howard
· Point-guard: Jameer Nelson
· Shooting-guard: Keyon Dooling
· Small-forward: Hedo Turkoglu

At shooting-guard position, the main rivalry was between Bogans and Dooling due to the negative points that Redick received that could not be offset by positive points granted. These negative points were: being a rookie, health issue and defensive deficiencies. Redick’s negatives and positives could be re-evaluated and adjusted at the end of each month into the season. Bogans and Dooling scored so close that either one would make a good choice in that position.

At the small-forward position, Hedo’s positives combined with many Grant’s negatives due to health uncertainties, has put him in the favorite spot. That situation could be re-evaluated within a month into the season. Grant has a lot of catching-up to do, but if he is healthy, depending on who plays at the shooting-guard (a better or lesser of a shooter), the situation may change.

Grant’s playing at shooting-guard position, whether as a starter or not, is an intriguing option. He can definitely defend any guard in the league, and with Hedo in small-forward his shooting deficiencies could be ignored. However, I am still not convinced that is the way to go considering the glut in the shooting-guard position, and the fact that we need to give Redick some meaningful playing time.

9 Comments:

  • At 7:58 PM, Blogger Mike from Illinois said…

    A very good overview of the Magic roster by Matt. As he pointed out, either Bogans or Dooling would make a good choice for the starting 2 guard. Another reason why Redick won't start is because we all know how slowly BHill likes to bring along young players and rookies. However, I would hope Hill wouldn't hesitate to put Redick in during a game so he could show off his 3 pt shooting skills.

    A healthy and productive Grant Hill is certainly an intriguing option at 2 or 3, as Matt brought up, and will further bolster the Magic's strong depth. The Magic have a good chance to have around 8 players average in double figures. Very few teams feature that kind of depth.

    Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune, in evaluating the US National Team, had this to say about Dwight Howard: "...Howard continues to develop along the lines of Tim Duncan." High praise from a very knowledgeable NBA writer.

     
  • At 4:11 PM, Blogger OVERWADED said…

    JUST RUMOR TALK

    Dooling on the market? The Orlando Magic, which has a logjam at point guard with Jameer Nelson, Carlos Arroyo and Keyon Dooling, might want to trade Dooling, a source close to the player said.

    The source said the Heat might be interested in reacquiring Dooling, who played for Miami in 2004-'05.

    Dooling, a Fort Lauderdale native, started seven games for Orlando last season. Nelson started 33. Arroyo was an Orlando reserve since February, when he was acquired from the Detroit Pistons.

    www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2006/08/19/a6b_basketball_0819.html

     
  • At 6:05 PM, Blogger Mike from Illinois said…

    i would hope that the Magic think twice before possibly making a trade involving Dooling. He bolsters the Magic depth at both the 1 and 2 spots, and seems to be a good team guy.

     
  • At 11:06 PM, Blogger Matt said…

    I agree trading Dooling would be a bad move. However, from an average thinking standpoint that makes sense. Size-wise, Dooling is closer to a PG than a SG, and counting Diener, we have plenty at that position. Now if you put him with the SGs, considering the possibility of shifting Grant between SF and SG positions, we are facing a glut at the SG position.

    Having that said, I would like to underscore my earlier statement of "from an average thinking standpoint". Guys like Dooling with their everlasting energy and team-attitude are priceless.

     
  • At 1:56 PM, Blogger OVERWADED said…

    I agree with you guys. Dooling has always given me Darrell Armstrong vibes, obviously because of his energy. I think it'd be a waste to let a guy like that go, unless you get something of value in return. He's one of those guys that are good to have around for many reasons, even if he's not on the court.

    Still, if he's here, he'll probably have to settle for fewer minutes.

    Then again, the way our past has gone, and the tolls a long season has on players, there are bound to be injuries, and that's why depth is needed.

     
  • At 8:25 PM, Blogger WeRDevos said…

    Not saying I want to see any changes at the moment, but this rumor at least makes sense on paper.

    Miami needs a backup PG. Derek Anderson (6'5" 32 yo SG from Kentucky) has asked to be traded. His $2.5 salary isn't enough to match up for an even swap for Dooling. His contract expires this year. I had thought he was a likely replacement for Stevenson earlier in the summer.

    Add Dorel Wright (19th pick in 2004 out of High School, 6'7" 20 yo SG/SF) who has one guaranteed year left on his rookie deal plus a team option and it's intriguing. Wright was an NBDL guy last year, but made the All-Orlando Pro Summer League 1st Team this summer. Otis would have seen him play every day for a week. He was also very vocal about how many short guards he has.

    It would be a bit of a risk, but a guy like Anderson could start at SG, Wright could play a few minutes as 3rd SG/SF and Diener becomes the third PG.

     
  • At 10:09 AM, Blogger Matt said…

    Bad idea. Anderson was never the same after the knee surgery (if I am not mistaken). Miami hardly used him last year, and preferred to play Payton at the SG position. So as for the Anderson part, unless he makes a miraculous recovery, the deal has no leg! to stand on.

    As for Dorel Wright, I have no idea how good the kid is, since he was rarely sighted in Miami, and I guess it does not matter, since the Anderson leg is not going to work.

     
  • At 2:35 PM, Blogger WeRDevos said…

    As noted before I'm pretty comfortable going into the season with the current roster.

    Anderson was doing well for Houston last year filling in for T-Mac and playing a lot of minutes when he strained his calf. Missed 29 games. During that time they traded Lonny Baxter (who recently fired a gun at the White House!) for Keith Bogans. Subsequently Houston traded DA to Miami for Gerald Fitch. At Miami he played in 23 games and averaged 20 minutes a game backing up Wade. He fell out of the rotation for the playoffs, only playing in 8 of 23 games.

    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3651947.html

     
  • At 5:04 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Carlos Arroyo Should be starting point guard

     

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