30 Teams 30 Days Orlando Draft Preview

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30 Teams, 30 Days: Orlando Draft Preview

Jun 17, 2008 2:59 PM

2007-2008 Finish: 52-30
2008 Draft Picks: 22nd

Pre-Draft 2008-09 Projected Starters:
PG Jameer Nelson
SG Keith Bogans
SF Hedo Turkoglu
PF Rashard Lewis
C Dwight Howard
Key Reserves:
SG J.J. Redick
PF Brian Cook
PF Tony Battie

What the Magic Do Well:

The Magic had an amazing season in their first year under Coach Stan Van Gundy. They went from an 8-seed team in 2006-07 to a 52-win division champ. They may have overpaid over the summer for power forward Rashard Lewis, but he helped guide them to their first 50-win season since The Big Fella bolted to LA.

Dwight Howard had a huge season. He led the team in scoring (20.7 ppg), rebounding (14.2 rpg), and blocks (2.1 bpg), all of which were career-highs. His 14.2 rebounds per game led the NBA, and his ability to score on the block improved dramatically under the tutelage of assistant coach and all-time NBA legend Patrick Ewing.

Hedo Turkoglu had a breakout season, as well, capturing the NBA?s Most Improved Player Award. He was second on the team with 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. He was often called upon with the game on the line to fire the final shot ? and on multiple occasions, he was successful.

Rashard Lewis came over in a big-time trade from Seattle and had himself a solid season. He was the third piece of Orlando?s version of 'The Big Three' and put up 18.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.22 steals. His excessive contract was often the topic of preseason discussion, but his performance in his first year in Florida warrants most, if not all, of its worth.

Greatest Areas of Improvement:

Big Bodies Next To Superman
With Adonal Foyle opting out of his contract, and Tony Battie?s status uncertain, the Magic really don?t have any big man up front to help out Dwight Howard. Also Brian Cook and Rashard Lewis aren?t what you would call powerful power forwards. They are more like small forwards who love jacking up shots from the outside like it?s a 3-point shootout.

A Wing Who Can Create His Own Shot
The Magic really don?t have any guards who can explode through the middle and penetrate the paint. Jameer Nelson is quick and capable of sneaking into the middle, but he is not a quality finisher by himself. With an array of long range shooters already on this roster, a guy who can penetrate and score like Paul Pierce or Vince Carter is exactly what the Magic need to get even more open looks on the outside.

Who?s Gone Number 22 Recently?

Over the past five years, the New Jersey Nets have fallen in love with this pick. They have made three of the past five selections at number 22, and only one of those players still remains a factor in the league. This is a prime picking spot to land a solid collegiate player ready to contribute immediately, much like Jarrett Jack, Marcus Williams, and Jared Dudley.

2007
Jared Dudley, Charlotte Bobcats

2006
Marcus Williams, New Jersey Nets

2005
Jarrett Jack, Denver Nuggets (traded to Portland)

2004
Viktor Khryapa, New Jersey Nets

2003
Zoran Planinic, New Jersey Nets

Who Should the Magic Target?

For more in-depth analysis and background regarding the players that the Magic should target in this year?s Draft, click on each player name to be redirected to Christopher Reina?s Prospect Report piece.

- Bill Walker of Kansas State

Before his second major ACL rupture sidelined the star small forward out of K-State, Bill Walker was considered a can?t-miss prospect with top-5 pick written all over him. After he missed his freshman season with an ACL tear in 2007, he packed on some weight and seemingly fell out of favor with NBA scouts. He had a resurgence this season teaming with Michael Beasley to lead the Wildcats to their first tournament win in decades. His explosiveness and ability to score would be perfect for the Magic. While his injury history is not ideal, his talent and potential might be too much not to take a gamble on this late in the first round.

- Chris Douglas-Roberts of Memphis

CDR is one of the best in the NCAA at getting to the rim and finishing. He led the Tigers in scoring throughout the season and helped them to the brink of a national title. While his game is somewhat unconventional, he gets results. He could be a very valuable contributor right away for this Magic team.

- Robin Lopez of Stanford

Lopez could walk into Orlando and become Big Dwight?s best friend. Lopez is the nastier Lopez twin who plays tough and battles in the paint defensively while hawking to every loose ball. Dwight can continue his accent as an offensive force, and some of the slack on the other end could be picked up by Lopez. Robin is willing to do the grunt work, and his legit size would make it very difficult for teams to score on the potential Twin Towers.

Picks Over the Past Five Years

Of the past 11 players selected by the Magic in the last 5 years, only two remain and only one of them has made an impact ? in Orlando. The two I speak of are Dwight Howard and J.J. Redick, but Redick is still in Stan Van Gundy?s doghouse. Otherwise, they originally drafted two players who are making waves in other cities ? Zaza Pachulia in Atlanta and Anderson Varejao in Cleveland. Imagine the Orlando frontline if they had kept those two players.

2007
Rayshawn Terry, 44th (traded to Dallas)

2006
J.J. Redick, 11th
James Augustine, 41st
Lior Eliyahu, 44th (traded to Houston)

2005
Fran Vazquez, 11th
Travis Diener, 38th
Martynas Andriuskevicius, 44th (traded to Cleveland)

2004
Dwight Howard, 1st
Anderson Varejao, 30th

2003
Reece Gaines, 15th
Zaza Pachulia, 42nd

Previous Editions of the 30 Teams, 30 Days Series

Whom do you want the Magic to draft at number 22? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions.

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