Magic Wands: September 25, 2009

-Tracy McGrady and his trainers believe he will return from microfracture surgery sooner than anyone expected. An injury that many believed would keep him out until February, McGrady believes he might be ready to play by October or November. And get this, his trainers say McGrady did a poor job rebuilding his strength after originally injuring his back in 2002 (I was at that game, it was a vicious fall against the Hornets), but now they have him doing things he has not done since he was in a Magic uniform. Looks like my fantasy team is getting better by the day.

-An NBA referees' wife wonders why the league is mistreating the sacrifice she and other families give to be in the family of an NBA referee.

-Keith Bogans is a good defender who can hit an open 3-pointer, especially in the corner. Sounds like a former San Antonio Spur named Bruce Bowen. Could Bogans become the new Bowen?

-DIME Magazine wonders: Who is better? Rashard Lewis or Hedo Turkoglu? Third Quarter Collapse asks the same question.

-Apparently, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu are two of the worst rebounders taller than 6-10 in NBA history.

-The Trail Blazers are turning to the market in bad times to set single game ticket prices. Who knows, maybe it will start a ticket revolution.

Keith Bogans: we hardly knew ye

Well, Keith Bogans second stint with Orlando came to an unceremonious end Thursday with his trade to Milwaukee for Tyronn Lue. It was a trade of necessity with the injury to Jameer Nelson and a lack of depth at point guard.

Bogans was the clear choice to be traded. His skill set copied that of the recently drafted Courtney Lee. His playing time slowly decreased as Lee came into his own this season and appears to be a long-term solution at shooting guard.

Orlando drafted Bogans back in 2003 but sent him away for the first time in a trade to Charlotte for Brandon Hunter. A forgettable trade indeed.

But the Magic reacquired Bogans in 2005 and he became a pretty consistent player for the Magic. He became the starter more out of necessity than skill. But he played the part well.

He was never the long-term solution at the position but he was not a horrible short-term solution.

Bogans is a physical defender and a streaky shooter. He never really found his way under Brian Hill but he fit perfectly under Stan Van Gundy.

Even then though, he never really found his way. Consistent, but not spectacular. There was always a better player out there to replace him.

No one can argue that Bogans worked hard and performed his role. It was never quite good enough to hold down the more talented and more skilled players Orlando always signed to compete with him.

Bogans will certainly be missed in Orlando... until he comes back to the team.

Magic Wands: February 6, 2009

-I finally discovered Magic Overtime with Dante & Galante (and I know it is eight episodes in... I am not always in Orlando). And all I can say about this clip is: "I dunk from free throw line but the mascot move." What am I talking about? First watch this. Then go to about 1:08 to enjoy some Polish Hammer hilarity. (Sorry Marcin, we believe you can do it... and apparently so does Anthony Johnson and Mickael Pietrus... sorry for publishing that on the Internet so you cannot bet future new Magic players that you can do it)

-I don't care who you are. In these times this report from The Associated Press is a very good thing.

-A ringing endorsement (OK maybe not ringing) of Jameer Nelson as an All Star from CelticsBlog, no less.

-With Jameer Nelson out, Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel wonders who might be available through free agency or trade. Among the names he bandies about: Keyon Dooling, Carlos Arroyo and Jason Williams.

-This is quickly turning into the Jameer Nelson wands. I do these as the week goes on so you can notice how the week started out so cheery and then turned to this. But it is important that you read Kyle Hightower's transcript of Otis Smith's press conference.

-Monday was point guard injury day: Chris Paul is day-to-day with a groin injury and Chauncey Billups turned an ankle against the Spurs on Tuesday.

-Gregg Poppovich never ceases to amaze. He gave Spurs all stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker the day off Tuesday against Denver as San Antonio embarks on its annual rodeo road trip.

-I will have more on this later, but the Magic made it official Thursday trading Keith Bogans for Tyronn Lue. Welcome Lue back Sunday night.

Weighing their options without Nelson

Only two days have passed since Jameer Nelson's injury and it is still unclear what path he will take to get back. But it is clear (even with a blowout win against the Clippers) that the Magic cannot stand pat and expect to still compete for an Eastern Conference title.

Anthony Johnson has been good this year. He has done everything that has been asked of him. But we all know he can not start nearly half the season and the playoffs. At least, if Orlando wants to be successful.

More than one site has conjectured how the Magic will try to replace Nelson. It is clear at the very least they need another body at the point.

You can read Brian Schmitz or Marc Stein's interesting takes on and solutions to the situation.

Johnson is playing quite well tonight (20 points in the first half), but he is not going to keep that up and the Magic do not face the Clippers anymore.

So where does Orlando go?

The first option is to try and find a free agent. But who is available?

Darrell Armstrong already took that coaching position with the Mavericks. Steve Francis cannot play anymore (and we do not want to go down that road again). Former Magic player Sidney Green's son, and Florida alum, Taurean Green is not doing anything. Edgewater alum Darius Washington has NBA experience and can at least imitate Nelson with his scoring ability.

These are all kind of far-fetched ideas. But what else is available in a trade?

Raymond Felton from Charlotte is definitely available and would be a long-term backup for Nelson (sorry Anthony). Plus he is still working on his rookie contract so that would make him a bargain. Felton is a guy that could really work.

Another guy on the block is Jamaal Tinsley. The maligned Pacers point guard has wanted out of Indianapolis for some time now. He is an experienced starter, which is probably the most important thing Orlando can get out of a replacement. His contract is no fun ($14.5 million over two years). But if the Magic are serious about contending, he is a pretty good option.

There are other options out there in the trade market, but the next question Otis Smith has to ask is: What is the cost?

It is no secret that Courtney Lee has rendered Keith Bogans pretty useless (or at best an older version of Lee). So he is on the table. But to get anyon really fantastic in the trade market, it may cost Hedo Turkoglu. I do not think they can trade him.

Orlando simply does not have a lot to offer other teams in a trade. The team does not have a whole lot of draft picks (although do not be surprised to see Fran Vazquez to be put on the table) and does not have a lot of young talent it can part with.

I think free agency is the route most likely taken then. Who the Magic bring in is anybody's guess. But it has to be someone who can take some of the scoring burden off of Johnson and the other key players.

But who they bring in and how they do it will be a sign of whether Otis Smith believes this is the year Orlando can win a title.

Thinking of trades, maybe?

So ESPN is running a series on players that should be available at the trade deadline. It is a pretty good list and you can peruse it at your leisure on the NBA page on ESPN.com.

But it got me wondering: If the Magic are going to make a deal, what would they be looking for?

This of course is assuming Orlando is looking to deal. There is no indication that general manager Otis Smith is looking to trade any player. But I have the feeling the result of tonight's game against Cleveland will make him think a little harder about his team.

The Magic can be a title team. But I agree with a lot of the pundits that it is missing something. That something might be experience... or it might be something else.

There are not going to be a whole lot of proven title winners Orlando can pluck from in the trade market. But there are plenty of players available for the right price.

So what can the Magic trade?

With Mickael Pietrus back, Orlando has its glut at the shooting guard position. It is a nice luxury since everyone in the group seems to play very erratically. But that is where Orlando should first look to trade.

I think Keith Bogans is ripe to be traded. He is a solid defender that can shoot from the outside and is on a nice, small contract. Courtney Lee's emergence has made Bogans almost useless (no offense, Keith). Lee duplicates everything Bogans does and he has higher prospects at this point.

Who will take Bogans? That is a question for another day.

JJ Redick will also be offered around. But everyone knows what he gives you and the same question has to be asked: who will take him?

Thus a trade is pretty unlikely.

But humor me. What would Orlando want?

Anthony Johnson has been average and not spectacular. It is clear that the team is relying on Jameer Nelson a lot more than they probably should. Orlando might be in the market for a third point guard. There are a few guards that appear to be available but none that fit the experienced bill the Magic are probably looking for.

The other thing the Magic might be looking for is a defensive enforcer. This makes Tony Battie a little bit of an excess, but Orlando needs a guy who can bang around and support Dwight Howard in the post.

This is all just long-winded talk from me. Just stirring the pot whree it doesn't need to be stirred. Orlando is not going to pull the trigger on a trade unless someone offers something spectacular for Hedo Turkoglu.

So get used to this roster. At least until the end of the year.

Magic 106, Lakers 103: Playoffs come early

Kobe Bryant had his best scoring game of the season and it did not matter. Bryant drove in for a layup with the Lakers trailing by one and found Sasha Vujacic wide open in the corner for a go-ahead 3-pointer and it hopped in and out of the basket.

Dwight Howard struggled the entire game with foul trouble and the entire team struggled from the free throw line, but it was Howard himself making four key free throws down the stretch in a row to seal a 106-103 win against Los Angeles.

I said Thursday that the win over San Antonio was as big as a win in December could be. I stand corrected. Saturday night's victory over the Lakers was as big as a win in December could be.

It was written well before the game (read the previous post) that Orlando has been hungering to be mentioned as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference (this may not even do it). But the Magic may have officially said, "We demand to be taken seriously!"

It started with a struggle for the Magic. Bryant scored 25 first half points and was getting every ridiculous shot he could think to take to go in. Howard was relegated to the bench with foul trouble as both teams had to play around referees who called the game ridiculously tight.

The second quarter was a slow-moving fight for survival as Los Angeles opened up a double digit lead. It seemed that the Lakers might be able to blow the game open. But somehow (even with Brian Cook making mistake after mistake in five second quarter minutes) Orlando kept the game close. It was within striking distance when the teams came out of the locker rooms.

That is when Jameer Nelson took over for the third straight game. Nelson scored 27 points -- 15 in the third quarter -- leading Orlando back into the game. He got into the paint when he wanted and flipped shots over the defense or pulled up when he needed to. He was in complete control of the game and dominated it in every way in the second half.

Then the fourth quarter came in and Howard dominated once again. With four fouls throughout the quarter -- and five with about four minutes left -- he dominated the paint and changed every shot that came through the paint. He demanded the ball and made teams pay from the line even (especially at the end).

Losing Howard in the first half to foul trouble was really the only reason Orlando struggled in the second quarter. Howard's absence was very noticeable. It allowed Derek Fisher to get in the paint at will and find shooters on the perimeter. It allowed Bryant to attack the basket or throw up shots without fear of the rebound being eaten by Howard.

Orlando won the game, simple as that.

The Magic actually defended Bryant well. Keith Bogans played him physically (spending more than a few fouls) and kept him out of the paint for the most part. Bryant had to take a lot of fall-away jumpers. It was clear by the fourth quarter that the defense Bogans and Mickael Pietrus put on him had tired him out.

It is tough to say you played well against him when he scored 41. But they actually did. Orlando lived up to its defensive moniker and gutted out another win.

Magic Wands: December 12, 2008

-Supersonicsoul has an interesting look at NBATV ratings. Orlando is not doing so hot (sorry, I have not been home to eat up NBATV in the odd hours of the afternoon). But the league is still as popular as ever.

-According to one scout who talked to Marc Stein on the Weekend Dime:

"I think Orlando is the best team in the NBA that's not being talked about. Everyone loves Portland right now, so everyone talks about them. Orlando is racking up the road wins again, and they're going to be a legit player in the Eastern Conference if they can get that No. 3 or [No.] 2 seed and avoid Boston in the second round. I know people say they have no bench, but once you get to the playoffs you only play seven or eight guys anyway.

"Look at what they do have: Rashard [Lewis] and Hedo [Turkoglu] to spread the floor and one of the few legit big guys out there [in Dwight Howard], even though he's not a great scorer. And Jameer Nelson … his problem is that he's making $8 million instead of $6 million. If he was making $6 million, everyone would think he's a bargain. In the playoffs, I thought the kid was pretty good."

Tell me something I don't know.

-Darko Milicic makes his run for Superman after picking up a foul against Houston on Monday. Better video here.

-Remember when I complained about Tuesday's basketball lineup on ESPN. Marc Stein calms me down in the Daily Dime. Plus, Stan Van Gundy deserves all the credit for the win at Portland (scroll to the bottom).

-Avid Trail Blazer fan Henry Abbott tries to explain why Brandon Roy made the wrong decisions down the stretch Tuesday. Here's a hint: Keith Bogans is good at defense.

-Chicago Bulls assistant coach Pete Myers gets the first crack at playing President-Elect Barack Obama, the Chicago Tribune reports.

-According to a Truehoop reader, residents of Shanghai want resident Yao Ming to play more like Dwight Howard. We will take that as a compliment and a vote for Howard as the best center in the league.

-Early returns from All Star ballotting have Dwight Howard leading the way. Not for centers, but for EVERYONE.

-Former Magic man Cuttino Mobley is going to officially retire because of a heart condition.

-Dwight Howard tells Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel that he will be competing in the slam dunk contest this year. And he has something BIG planned for it.

Bogans out 3-6 weeks

As far as injuries go, this one could have been a lot worse.

Guard Keith Bogans will miss at least the next three weeks and could be out 4-6 weeks after fracturing the thumb on his non-shooting hand during Saturday's game against Houston, Andrew Carter of The Orlando Sentinel reports.. Bogans has been the first man off the bench for Orlando this season and beat out JJ Redick and Courtney Lee for the backup shooting guard role. Bogans is averaging 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

The Magic were pretty set at shooting guard with the signing of Mickael Pietrus, the drafting of Courtney Lee and the emergence of JJ Redick during the preseason. If someone was going to get hurt, it could be one of those four.

But don't think this injury is insignificant.

Orlando has been hit a little by the injury bug early this season. Pietrus has missed a game because of injury and Hedo Turkoglu sat out Saturday with the flu. Depth at guard has been important for the Magic's survival this season.

Losing Bogans is no death knell, but it does hurt the team. Pietrus is a good defender, but he has the propensity to foul. With Bogans out, Orlando no longer has its best perimeter defender to help out.

Redick is not the defender Bogans is and Lee has not had enough time on the court to prove he is there yet either.

It will be interesting to see what coach Stan Van Gundy does with his new lineup after the injury. Redick has been getting some favor and has thrown in a few good scoring runs. Lee though is probably closest to Bogans as far as copying his skill set defensively. I would expect both to play and get some time to show what they can do (it is a big opportunity for both players).

Van Gundy told The Orlando Sentinel that he might move Rashard Lewis to small forward more often, which could free up minutes for Marcin Gortat or Adonal Foyle, who put in his best game of the season Saturday.

Either way, this injury will have a big impact on the Magic before the All Star break -- and not just on the court.

With Bogans out, Redick can be played more and be floated out there as a trade possibility for a deadline deal. Not saying the team could get much for Redick, but it could be important to adding that vital piece for the playoff push.

Trade rumors have circled the shooting guard platoon all season. That should quiet until Bogans gets back.

Solving the bench problem

A lot has been made of Orlando's bench this season.

It started with the surprise run of JJ Redick in the preseason and the perceived lack of depth behind Jameer Nelson. Then it exploded with the eight-man rotation Stan Van Gundy has used throughout the first week of the season.

Believe the writers when they make such a big deal out of this. A good bench is key to a good season.

A good bench gives the starters plenty of rest. A good bench lifts a team in the dredges of the season. A good bench is a tradeable asset.

A good bench, the Magic do not have.

The Redick experiment has completely failed. Keith Bogans has come off the bench and become a more consistent producer. Tony Battie does what Tony Battie does -- which is not much statistically.

Other than that, the bench is not very productive. This puts an incredible amount of pressure in the starters to score.

That clearly can work, but Dwight Howard is not going to score 29 and grab 16 every night and Hedo Turkoglu will not get 35 a night either. Then again, Rashard Lewis will not struggle like he did last night.

As it stands now, those three players are carrying the team -- like they did last year. And they need help and more than Mickael Pietrus and Jameer Nelson can give.

The Magic are going to get killed by opponents' benches. And it is going to reflect in scores pretty soon. We already saw it happen against Portland.

But the real effect will not happen until game 30, 50 and 80. Howard is a horse, but even a horse gets tired. Orlando has been incredibly lucky with injuries the last few years. That luck will run dry if Howard and Turkoglu have to continue to play 40 minutes per game.

The bench has to begin producing at a higher and more consistent rate. But Van Gundy also has to start playing more bench players.

The season is a marathon, not a sprint. But Orlando is running it like a sprint to the end. The starters need a break and the bench needs to step up for the Magic to make a run at the Eastern Conference title.