Orlando Sentinel grades based on preseason expectation vs. performance

General Manager John Gabriel

D

Somebody has to take the fall for the second year of the Grant Hill disaster, plus the trading of Bo Outlaw and Brendan Haywood.

Coach Doc Rivers

B

Lost Grant Hill again, but he was quicker this time to right the ship when it happened. Still trying to piece together a frontcourt.

Owner Rich DeVos

B

Allowed the team to acquire some high-priced free agents but is downgraded a little for putting the team on the market.

Tracy McGrady

A

Hard to find fault in someone so young and already so good. If the team were better, he would be an MVP candidate.

Mike Miller

B

A nice improvement for last season?s NBA Rookie of the Year. When other teams call to talk trade, this is who they mention the most.

Grant Hill

I

Will he ever play again? If he does, will he ever be the same?

Pat Garrity

B

He was expected to be just a long-range bomber in a reserve role, but he was pushed into a starting spot at power forward, where he usually is badly overmatched.

Darrell Armstrong

C

Still the emotional leader, but the pounding his body takes has taken its toll. Scoring and shooting percentage are lowest in years.

Horace Grant

C

Has turned back the clock in the last two weeks, but the start was disappointing.

Steven Hunter

D

Rookie who allowed a great opportunity as a starter slip away, finding himself completely out of the mix now.

Jud Buechler

C

Came in the Bo Outlaw trade, and hasn?t been a factor with 12 minutes per game.

Patrick Ewing

D

Disappointing at any age, any price. Out again with another injury that comes with being 39 years old.

Troy Hudson

B

Almost released last summer, but he has become a productive backup to Armstrong. Much improved.

Andrew DeClercq

D

Tries hard, but no improvement.

Jeryl Sasser

I

Buried on the injured list, and has not shown anything yet.

Don Reid

B

From the end of the bench, he usually makes things happen when he plays. He just needs to play more.

Monty Williams

C

The departure of Hill has opened the door for him. He needs to be more assertive when he plays.