NBA Preview: Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard tries to console a rim after a Keith Bogans shootaround.

Changes:
The biggest move was made towards the end of last season, when they traded for Darko and Carlos Arroyo. Really a brilliant piece of GMing right there: you get a potentially huge talent who is mad at the world plus the best backup point guard in the league. Tego Reggae-freakin-ton. After finishing the year on a 16-6 run, they didn't want to do much tinkering with the lineup. Their biggest free agent signing was Keith Bogans, who never met a shot he couldn't miss. In the draft, they chose to address their outside-shooting deficiency by picking up the Bard of Durham, JJ Redick. He has really responded to the move like a true Duke professional: a run-in with the law (white zinfandel + joyride) and a nagging injury. I think JJ was a great college player, but I just see the pro game moving too fast for him. With the athletes in the NBA, we'll see a lot more of the Redick that went 3-18 vs. LSU in the tourney last year.

Style of Play:
This is a squad that is going to rely a lot on Arroyo and Jameer Nelson to create for the rest of the team, and I like the ability of both to do so. While Dwight Howard is a beast, his offensive game hasn't reached the level where you can regularly run things through him. Grant Hill should be slashingly effective for 10 games until his foot falls off his body after a collision with the mammoth chip on Darko's shoulder. They have a lot of guys that can score, even off the bench, but no one who will average 20. The twin tower combo of Howard/Milicic should make them a tough defensive team downlow, but they'll have to make up for Redick's deficiencies. An intriguing squad, all around.

Impact Player:
Do you see that picture up top? That walking double-double is on the verge of being really, really, really good. He averaged 16 and 12.5 as a nineteen-year-old. Has he not fully filled out yet? Could he pop a basketball with his bare hands? Dunk from behind the threepoint line? These questions might be answered this season. If this kid develops a bit of a mean-streak, the Magic are going to be frighteningly good in years to come.

Player you would most like to get arrested with and where:
I would take an evening to sit down with JJ, pop a bottle of Beringer, call up Adam Morrison and have a rousing game of Halo on the Xbox. The police would show up after neighbors' noise complaints stemming from emotional outbursts after video game losses.

Prediction:
The Magic been the posh pick in the East to really improve and make the playoffs, which is usually a huge curse, but I think it's pretty accurate here. I really like Nelson's leadership, Howard's freakish athleticism and Darko's frosted tips. Don't forget the X-factor, BO OUTLAW. Even with the inevitable Grant Hill injury, they've probably got enough talent to get into the playoffs with a 41-41 record.