Post by Iceman on Feb 3, 2008 2:59:18 GMT -5
The off-season for the Orlando Magic was a relaxing one, with players going into some hot spot vacation before returning into active duty starting with the training camp. With only six new faces to suit up with the team this upcoming opening night of the 2010 season, the franchise did not waste it's time to present the whole squad to their loyal fans in Orlando.
The TD Waterhouse Centre now known as the Amway Arena, home of the Orlando Magic
Returning players who got a decent contract extensions before the draft day where last season's team scoring leader Andrea Bargnani, also returning is LaMarcus Aldridge, and Ricky Rubio's mentor Juan Carlos Navarro. The team was also boosted with the acquisition of four young players from the rookie draft, 2010 rookie draft 3rd over-all pick Danilo Gallinari from Italy, was also joined in by fellow rookies Victor Claver, J.J. Hickson and Raymar Morgan. The front office also added two more players from the free agency to complete the team's 15 man roster, with the addition of bulky center/forward Devon Hardin and streaky guard Rashad McCants.
The Magic own the league's smallest front court, but that doesn't hinder the team to work on to reach their goal. LaMarcus Aldridge who will be heading the centers of Orlando will be backed-up by rookie J.J. Hickson and new addition Devon Hardin. It is their defense that the team needs, and their rebounding skills.
A new position means a new role for Magic's leading scorer last season, Andrea Bargnani. Bargnani despite being a small forward since he started his career here in NBL, is not new at the power forward position since he sometimes gets to play that position and gets to bang some bodies with bulkier opponents. The difference with Bargnani is his outside game, with his capability to score he could drag 1 to 2 defenders to the perimeter freeing some space in the inside for the team's quick forwards or guards. Teaming up with Bargnani at the power forward position for Orlando are Victor Claver and the psycho man Tyler Hansbrough.
Many Orlando Magic fans thought that they won't be seeing Michael Beasley in Orlando uniform this coming 2010 season, but those trade rumors were eventually destroyed. Beasley will be a Magic this season and he had improved his skills during the training camp. Michael will also be seeing a partner at the small forward position in Danilo Gallinari, these two could provide an explosive partnership for the Magic, and it will be up to the coaching staff on how they could divide the playing time for these two. Magic also got some good reliever at that position with the 2nd rounder Raymar Morgan, who also had improved his skills during the training camp.
The Italian and the Spanish guys rules this position, Marco and Rudy had became a good tandem at the shooting guard position for Orlando since last season. Magic also added another streaky guard in Rashad McCants to help out the team's shooting guard position.
The management were somewhat disappointed that their rookie Ricky Rubio wasn't included in the all-rookie teams despite being the team's second leading scorer and one of the best point guards among the rookies last season. Ricky has learned many things from his veteran mentor and fellow countryman Juan Carlos Navarro, and he had improved much playing the point guard position and also being the team's leader at the back-court. Another veteran player who also had been teaching Ricky to became a two-dimensional player is Jason Terry, he might be small but he can play the shooting guard position too but right now he is moved to the point guard position to help Rubio's development, he once said that Ricky has the potential to play not only the point guard position but also the shooting guard position with his height and his skills.
The TD Waterhouse Centre now known as the Amway Arena, home of the Orlando Magic
Returning players who got a decent contract extensions before the draft day where last season's team scoring leader Andrea Bargnani, also returning is LaMarcus Aldridge, and Ricky Rubio's mentor Juan Carlos Navarro. The team was also boosted with the acquisition of four young players from the rookie draft, 2010 rookie draft 3rd over-all pick Danilo Gallinari from Italy, was also joined in by fellow rookies Victor Claver, J.J. Hickson and Raymar Morgan. The front office also added two more players from the free agency to complete the team's 15 man roster, with the addition of bulky center/forward Devon Hardin and streaky guard Rashad McCants.
The Centers
LaMarcus Aldridge, J.J. Hickson, Devon Hardin
LaMarcus Aldridge, J.J. Hickson, Devon Hardin
The Magic own the league's smallest front court, but that doesn't hinder the team to work on to reach their goal. LaMarcus Aldridge who will be heading the centers of Orlando will be backed-up by rookie J.J. Hickson and new addition Devon Hardin. It is their defense that the team needs, and their rebounding skills.
The Power Forwards
Andrea Bargnani, Victor Claver, Tyler Hansbrough
Andrea Bargnani, Victor Claver, Tyler Hansbrough
A new position means a new role for Magic's leading scorer last season, Andrea Bargnani. Bargnani despite being a small forward since he started his career here in NBL, is not new at the power forward position since he sometimes gets to play that position and gets to bang some bodies with bulkier opponents. The difference with Bargnani is his outside game, with his capability to score he could drag 1 to 2 defenders to the perimeter freeing some space in the inside for the team's quick forwards or guards. Teaming up with Bargnani at the power forward position for Orlando are Victor Claver and the psycho man Tyler Hansbrough.
The Small Forwards
Michael Beasley, Danilo Gallinari, Raymar Morgan
Michael Beasley, Danilo Gallinari, Raymar Morgan
Many Orlando Magic fans thought that they won't be seeing Michael Beasley in Orlando uniform this coming 2010 season, but those trade rumors were eventually destroyed. Beasley will be a Magic this season and he had improved his skills during the training camp. Michael will also be seeing a partner at the small forward position in Danilo Gallinari, these two could provide an explosive partnership for the Magic, and it will be up to the coaching staff on how they could divide the playing time for these two. Magic also got some good reliever at that position with the 2nd rounder Raymar Morgan, who also had improved his skills during the training camp.
The Shooting Guards
Marco Belinelli, Rudy Fernandez, Rashad McCants
Marco Belinelli, Rudy Fernandez, Rashad McCants
The Italian and the Spanish guys rules this position, Marco and Rudy had became a good tandem at the shooting guard position for Orlando since last season. Magic also added another streaky guard in Rashad McCants to help out the team's shooting guard position.
The Point Guards
Ricky Rubio, Juan Carlos Navarro, Jason Terry
Ricky Rubio, Juan Carlos Navarro, Jason Terry
The management were somewhat disappointed that their rookie Ricky Rubio wasn't included in the all-rookie teams despite being the team's second leading scorer and one of the best point guards among the rookies last season. Ricky has learned many things from his veteran mentor and fellow countryman Juan Carlos Navarro, and he had improved much playing the point guard position and also being the team's leader at the back-court. Another veteran player who also had been teaching Ricky to became a two-dimensional player is Jason Terry, he might be small but he can play the shooting guard position too but right now he is moved to the point guard position to help Rubio's development, he once said that Ricky has the potential to play not only the point guard position but also the shooting guard position with his height and his skills.
