NBA 2006-2007 Preview: Ready for a Magic-al Season?

Orlando Magic
Coach: Brian Hill, 2nd Season (36-46)
General Manager: Dave Twardzik
’05-’06 Record: 36-46, 3rd Southeast Division


Projected Starting Lineup (’05-’06 Stats)

PG – Jameer Nelson (14.6 ppg., 2,9 rpg., 4.9 apg.)
SG – Keyon Dooling (9.4 ppg., 1.6 rpg., 2.2 apg.)
SF – Hedo Turkoglu (14.9 ppg., 4.3 rpg., 2.8 apg.)
PF – Dwight Howard (15.8 ppg., 12.5 rpg., 1.5 apg.)
C – Tony Battie (7.9 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 0.6 apg.)


Key Additions: SF Keith Bogans (UFA – HOU)

Key Subtractions: SG DeShawn Stevenson (UFA – WAS); SF Stacey Augmon (UFA)


2006 NBA Draft
Round 1 – SG J.J. Redick (11th overall), Duke University
Round 2 – PF James Augustine (41st overall), University of Illinois


Positional Breakdowns

Guards
The Magic finally pulled the trigger in the middle of last season and sent Steve Francis away to New York, opening the door for some more of the youth in Orlando to come to the forefront. At the top of that list is point guard Jameer Nelson. Nelson, who had a great college career, has slowly assumed a leadership position with the team since being drafter a couple of seasons ago. He’s quickly made good with most of his teammates and has become a figure to gather around for this young team. Nelson is a solid point guard who has the ability to go out and put points on the board when his team needs it. He’s got good speed for the league and a toughness that you just cannot teach some players. Nelson isn’t afraid to take the ball to the basket in order to score or to create opportunities for his teammates. He’ll need to curb his desire to score because of the other players around him. They need more of a straight forward point guard, something that Nelson has the capability of being for them.