Orlando Magic News for September 14th: Notes on Defense and Rebounding

by Evan Dunlap on Sep 14, 2009 5:00 PM EDT in News

The Impact Of Vince Carter’s Departure

Sebastian Pruiti provides video analysis of Vince Carter's game in order to demonstrate how his leaving via trade will affect the Nets. Of particular interest to Magic fans is Pruiti's assessment of Carter's defense; it appears as though his reputation of indifference on that end is well-earned, based on these clips. If the Magic are to repeat as the league's most efficient defense this year, Carter's going to need to step up his attention level on that end of the floor.
The top 10 rebounders of the last decade

Dwight Howard is the Magic's lone representative in Kelly Dwyer's latest top-ten list. He rates second, behind only Ben Wallace. Here are Dwyer's comments about Howard:

It's safe to say that we have a clear clubhouse leader should we strike this list back up again in 10 years — because if Howard retired today, he'd take to Florida's senior communities as the owner of the third highest rebound rate in league history. Pretty solid work for a player who has yet to turn 24 years old. For comparison's sake, Dennis Rodman was 25 and a half years-old when he grabbed his first NBA carom.
NBA Scouting Reports: Filling in the Blanks- the Shooting Guards

Matt Kamalsky of DraftExpress evaluates the shooting guards from the 2005 draft class, which includes Orlando reserve J.J. Redick. Here's Kamalsky's assessment of Redick's work on defense, for which he's often criticized:

Defense: Had his moments in the 2009 playoffs by playing extremely active, but will remain a potentially exploitable match up since he has to play all-out to be effective. Lacks ideal lateral quickness and strength. Shows very good fundamentals and displays nice awareness off the ball. Doesn’t possess the explosiveness or length to force many turnovers, but will get a hand up on shooters. Struggles in one-on-one situations, but works hard to fight through screens to stay with his man on the pick and roll. Will look to secure long rebounds. Not an ideal defensive option, though his effort level will help compensate for all of his shortcomings on a game-to-game basis.
72 reasons to be excited about the Atlanta Hawks: #47 Rooting against Dwyane Wade

Okay, this link doesn't directly pertain to the Magic, but it's still funny. Former Magic swingman Mo Evans, now of the Atlanta Hawks, is apparently pumping iron in order to better defend the likes of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. This story amused Wade, who Tweeted that he's now extra-motivated to take it to Evans and the Hawks. I fear for Mo's life.

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Comments

Carter's Defense...

Carter is a professional, a veteran, and he’s home. happy, and hungry!! That should fix ANY “indifferent” spots in his game.

by pianolady on Sep 14, 2009 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

That's how I feel. But that video was indeed enlightening.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Brandon Bass: "I just play hard."

by Evan Dunlap on Sep 14, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

First, thanks for the link, it is much appreciated.

Also, I too think that he will be a better defender in Orlando, but how much better, I am not sure. I know as a Net, he has improved his defense over the past few years, but it has went from poor to meh. Not really a huge jump. Also I know all the clips are from the Heat game, but in pretty much every game he has a breakdown like that. Either not keeping an eye on his man and letting him go backdoor, not helping properly, or not boxing out, he has a few headscratching moments. Like I said though, it will probably be different when he is a Magic, so you never know.

by SebastianPruiti on Sep 14, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Given that Vince is going from the 24th ranked defense to the 1st ranked defense, it'll change.

Likewise, I’ve been told from respected scribes that when motivated, Carter can be an above-average defender and he’ll surely have plenty of motivation in the upcoming season.

VC will have lapses, but he’ll have the benefit of playing in a scheme that will erase his mistakes.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Sep 14, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Great video

Wish you could do more Magic ones, haha

by bandrewg08 on Sep 14, 2009 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

It's a great video.

But I will state that Van Gundy demands his players to play defense, first and foremost. Likewise, Stan has the history of taking individuals that haven’t been known for their defensive tenacity and improve their play on that end of the court. I don’t see why it can’t be the same with VC.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Sep 14, 2009 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions

You could make the same vid 4 anyone in the league

I know what Bo dont know.

by D-RAK on Sep 14, 2009 8:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I can not wait until the 1st time Vince Laofs on D and its costs the Magic

Dwight will pound him…

NBA FINALS WINS: Dwight Howard 1 LeBron James 0

by BS Patrol on Sep 14, 2009 10:21 PM EDT reply actions

Well, SVG will make sure Carter does his job on defense.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Sep 14, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

The writer has good basketball knowledge and made a good video. The problem is a pair of things.
1, New changes, system, team defensive style, coach/stars/teammates, culture, homecoming, title chase, motivation.. so many things that will help VC pick up the defensive slack. Also, shouldering less offense keeps him up for playing more defense.
2, While the writer probably chose a vid that is indicative of his general play, it was still a single season game. The game was just beginning in some of the clip too, which means little, but a small case can be made that except for offense, the game is still raw in defense as players are cold and “figuring” the other teams out.
The real thing I make a point of is that the only game that should be studied is a playoff game. They are what matter and also show more of a player than some single season game against a middling Eastern team. At worst, Id want to see multiple examples from multiple games. But lets not even kid ourselves, the Magic will makes the playoffs at worst, realistically somewhere as a 1-4 seed, and optimistically a 1-2 seed. Meaning, the only games that will ever count for anything are playoff games, and how players perform in them.

by derekk on Sep 15, 2009 12:08 AM EDT reply actions

i hope Mo Evans is doing more than pumping iron

he must be injecting horse steroids, if he thinks he’s gonna shut down either of those two players. however, that Hawk’s team, as a whole, is looking pretty serious.

by lugowsky on Sep 15, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

Atlanta won't pose a threat.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Sep 15, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think they've done enough to improve, although having Joe Smith off the bench gives them needed depth at PF and C

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Brandon Bass: "I just play hard."

by Evan Dunlap on Sep 15, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

The Hawks will be competing more with the Heat, Wizards, and other teams than the Big Three.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Sep 15, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Our division is looking solid though

by bandrewg08 on Sep 15, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but Orlando is still a class ahead.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Sep 16, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

but its still fun to watch other teams play!

even though they dont pose a serious threat to us, it is nice to watch them upset teams in the playoffs. props to horford, former gator and florida kid.

by lugowsky on Sep 16, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure, they're entertaining.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Sep 16, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Hawks, Wiz can potentially be #4,5. Cats are the same so improvement can happen in a big way. Only the Raps look good outside of the big east 3 and them, i think the SE division is going to be the toughest.

by derekk on Sep 16, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

4 out of 5 teams will make the playoffs from the S.E.

Thats me chilling with Nick Anderson

by The Magic made Lebron run off the court on Sep 16, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree nice vid, but...............

But I wish I’d seen some clips of VC’s one on one defense. I’d rather see that then clips about his help D (since I think that’ll improve with SVG and D12). I think him pointing out VC causing the offense to become stagnant and him just standing around is kinda irrelevant since he’s the first option and the main focal point on offense. Being the first option on offense you’re going to run into situations like that all the time.

by HustlerInc on Sep 15, 2009 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

The video offered nothing that interesting

Looking at 6 minutes in the first quarter of a game won’t give anyone insight into a player’s true abilities. The commentary was inaccurate as well. Vince ended up getting to the line 12 times that game but didn’t shoot that hot. Wade unloaded on Trenton Hassell for 43 and Shawn Marion, who Vince guarded, only had 10 points with no trips to the line despite playing 38 minutes.

It's not a dunk unless your hand makes contact with the rim. Yeah, I'm talkin' to you, "Superman..."

by ben_gleicher on Sep 15, 2009 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

Do you realize how hard it is to find Nets games uploaded to the internet?

Heh. I understand that makes the video look like I hand picked it, but I didn’t that was the only one available, the examples I picked are what I felt that he has done wrong the entire year last year. The video was just so readers could visualize it. I thank you and all the others for visiting my blog, and leaving some feedback.

by SebastianPruiti on Sep 15, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions