- Return of First & Best "Stretch-4" +
- 'Bernard-King Re-Incarnate"
ORLANDO MAGIC: A DANGEROUS ANIMAL
2011 NBA PLAYOFFS
Blazer Fans may vex about Hedo Turkoglu's Free Agency Snub of Portland a few years back (Possibilities of Turkoglu as ball-reversal threat in Portland's System? Fah-get it...STILL playing the "what-if's" out here in Blazerland).
Orlando's success - most notably sensational Van Gundy Offense is greatly undervalued & unappreciated for the innovative aspects.
For 4 Years and counting in the Association, any/all achievement the Orlando Magic produce seems fundamentally, invariably glossed by the omni-present existence 'Superman', Orlando's Dwight Howard. Take nothing away from "D-12" & his tireless, energy & production for Orlando Frontcourt - all credit extended & deserved. Yet, Van Gundy is universally absent from most National media-driven discussions involving Orlando's effective successes. Curiously, Orlando's multiple Playoff Runs have actually been framed as occur IN SPITE of the cantankerous, insufferable Magic Head Coach, Stan "Van Jeremy", by ESPN's Ric Bucker & NBA TV's C-Webb, et al.
Stan Van Gundy's 4 Year Orlando Head Coach reveals a consistent, undeniably excellent level of proficiency:
- 52-30 (Lost East Semis | Farthest in Playoffs since '96)
- 59-23 (Lost NBA Finals)
- 59-23 (Lost East Finals)
Damn Good - w/w/o 1 Superstar
Approaching 2011 Playoffs, Orlando's Roster has seemingly, nearly come full-circle; w/Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu returning to Magic mid-season. Hedo Turkoglu epitomizes the 'NBA Journeyman', after meandering on a 20 Month North American whirlwind - from Central Florida to Ontario, Canada, to The Desert Southwest, & finally BACK to The Magic Kingdom in a 19-Month span.
Starting over again in Orlando, Van Gundy & the Magic not only have 'Hedo-T', their Original 'Stretch-4' back in Starting Lineup, but added the outrageously under-valued, modern day 'Bernard King', explosive scorer Jason Richardson to the Mix.
Richardson came East w/Turk from the Suns, and will likely become acquainted w/casual fans again this playoff season…after bursting onto the scene as 30-Yr Old, Rookie-to-Playoffs in 09-10 (avg'd 27 PPG in Playoffs, w/High Game of 40 Points, leading Suns to First Round Playoff Upset of Higher-Seed Portland)
Orlando has had moderate success incorporating Turkoglu & Richardson into Magic method, 16-10 since All-Star Weekend.
Nevertheless, w/o Gortat (Trade Phx), & sorely lacking depth to spell #1 Rated NBA Postman, D Howard (Orlando Backup Post Orton out for Year), Orlando may not contend for NBA Title…this year.
However, the Magic w/Richardson & Turkoglu running the floor for Orlando, we should be treated to one of the NBA's most inventive offensive formulas we've seen in several decades.
The advantages gained by having 6-10 Turkoglu, at Age 31 near Peak Playing Rate, must outweigh his (subtle) defensive liabilities. Turkoglu' 5 Asst/Gm Rate (09-10 - Led Orlando Asst), might make Magic fans forget Micheal Peitrus & Vince Carter
Stan Van Gundy's use of the 3-Pointer is STILL, in my humble opinion, ahead of its time. SVG using all the intrinsic statistical advantages 3's (18-22% more O-Rebounds per Three Taken, thus 0.44% Overall True%/Three Rate THUS, Orlando is well over 60% True Shooting %, from 36.4% Orlando's Triples Made.
Many teams & statisticians are explicitly befuddled upon intrinsic assessment of Orlando's spellbinding use of the '3' on Fast Break in particular; (i.e., Orlando's organized fire-drill approach - one that runs against the grain of every fundamental 'weave' instinct a running team holds dear)
Most teams are left grasping at straws defensively - the eccentricity of Orlando Magic Offense.
Orlando has attempted OVER 2000 Threes in this 2010-2011 Season, and as every year of SVG Tenure in Orlando, The Magic lead the Association in 3's Attempted & Made - and it's not close.
NOW, with Turk back (Leading ASST Man for Magic during his last full season in Orlando), Watching Orlando strap it on w/these potent weapons; even more intensive use outside in, bombs away shooting rate, w/a Beast like D12 to clean it all up?
I wouldn't want to play Orlando in the NBA Playoffs. Yet it will be exhilarating to watch it unfold.
Hawks are first up.
Can't WAIT.
W-O-W
No comments:
Post a Comment
COMMENTS | CRITICISMS | QUESTIONS | SUGGESTIONS
Always STRONGLY Encouraged