2012-2013 preview: Orlando Magic.

Eastern Conference #12: Orlando Magic (29-53).


Point Guard: Jameer Nelson, Ishmael Smith.
Shooting Guard: Arron Afflalo, JJ Redick, Christian Eyenga, E'Twaun Moore.
Small Forward: Hedo Turkoglu, Quentin Richardson, Moe Harkless.
Power Forward: Al Harrington, Josh McRoberts, Justin Harper.
Center: Glen Davis, Gustavo Ayon, Nikola Vucevic, Kyle O'Quinn.

The Orlando self-combusted from a team that made the Finals only a few seasons ago, to a team that will achieve success by not finishing at the bottom of their conference. They got rid of their superstar, Dwight Howard, and also parted ways with Ryan Anderson, who led the league in 3s made and was also 2012's Most Improved Player averaging 16.1 points and 7.7 rebounds in 32.2 minutes as Orlando's Power Forward. They leave the starting Center position to a guy who's nickname is "Big Baby" and will rely on Al Harrington, Arron Afflalo, Jameer Nelson, and Turkoglu to score the majority of their points.

Nelson won't have much to smile about this season...

Now this rating might seem high to some, and I need to clarify that this is my projected record for the Magic as long as they don't tank. There's a possibility Orlando may walk into the start of the season with every intention of gunning for the #1 draft pick in 2013. If they decide to do that, they'll finish last in the league. Or close. With Howard and Anderson, Orlando's two highest scorers, gone, that'll give a chance for the rest of the team to score more. We could see some good play from those above-mentioned guys, at least potentially. Afflalo will finally be a main scoring option, and he could respond with 15+ PPG, and if Harrington can finally shoot well he could score close to 20 a game. I'm curious to see how Glen Davis does in what should be a starting spot. He's shown some bright spots before playing in absence of the guys ahead of him in the lineup, and this season is his chance to really assert himself as a solid starting center.

Miss us yet? You will...

On the defensive end, Magic fans should be worried though. Without Howard, who's obviously one of the greatest defensive players of his generation, the Magic are missing their defensive anchor and Davis doesn't seem like one to replace much of that missing talent. Nobody on this team is known for their defense, and that's not going to change. This is a team that could lead to NBA in points allowed, and their only hope will likely be to outgun their opposition. If their guys can post good, or at least decent, percentages (Harrington, Afflalo, Nelson, and Turkoglu), then they may be able to do that every few games.
Beyond that though, what to they have? Their bench will trot out Ishmael Smith, JJ Redick, Quentin Richardson, Josh McRoberts, and Gustavo Ayon. Yikes!
If you watch the 2012 highlights video on the right, notice that Dwight Howard was the star in six of those plays. He accounted for 60% of Orlando's highlights! Without him, they've got nobody close to a superstar, and don't have a star rookie joining them this season to give them hope.
Over the next few seasons though, the Magic will have lots of draft picks to rebuild from, and their current roster seems to foreshadow a lottery pick in 2013. This prediction is certainly idealistic, but it won't get better than this... at least for now.