Submit Your Questions for Orlando Magic Media Day
Tomorrow, the Orlando Magic will host Media Day, during which members of the press will have the opportunity to meet with players, coaches, and executives and talk to them about the upcoming season; and the players will have the opportunity to pose for tremendously goofy photos, like the one seen in last year's season-preview post by Ball Don't Lie. Eddy and I will be in attendance, and although we have some ideas about which stories we want to pursue, we'd like your input as well.
Thus, we're soliciting you, the 3QC community, for questions you'd like to have answered. In the comments section of this post, please give us some suggestions. And if you like a question someone's already submitted, go ahead and "rec" it by clicking "actions" on their comment, then the "rec" button. Eddy and I will take every serious question under advisement, but will pay particular attention to the ones that receive the most recommendations.
Have at it, folks.
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83 comments
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Comments
The obvious one: Who is going to start?
I’ll try to think of some more…
by josh99 on Sep 27, 2009 9:18 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
this is for dwight
What have you done this summer to improve your game (esp your inside game)?
by GoMagic on Sep 27, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Good question, I'm sure he's going to here that a lot.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Especially after all the tweeting, photo shoots, video shoots, movie shoots, video game promos, hanging out in LA, playing against mariachi bands, etc.
You’ve got some splainin to do!
Though I’m sure he found some way to improve. He better have.
Does VanGundy envision some “twin tower” action with Gortat and Howard?
by telka on Sep 27, 2009 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I doubt it, because the team takes too much of an offensive hit for them to run it for a ton of minutes.
Again, either Ben or I can ask that. I think that’s more of a situational strategy, than anything else.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Will the team crash the boards more this year or drop back into defensive mode as soon as the ball is shot and depend on Howard for offensive rebounds?
UGH that is so annoying
But I am not Millionaire basketball coach so I digress..
Keep pumpin, ain't worried bout nuttin
Busters thought we was frontin, so reload and keep dumpin
I would suspect that SVG will continue to implement that strategy.
But I think either Ben or I can ask that.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
what’s the plan with JJ as his contract is in it’s final year? shop for trade bait, re-sign, or let him drop into free agency without picking anything up in return?
by QBallWhitey on Sep 27, 2009 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
How deep into the season does it take before SVG thinks he has a pretty good grasp on his minutes allotted per player?
by telka on Sep 27, 2009 8:09 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Good question. I'll make sure to ask it.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
To GM or coach,
Should it be expected that every given team will have its injuries throughout a season and its playoffs? What kind of injuries do you expect and if serious, will you have the means and will to acquire a “Rafer Alston” again?
by derekk on Sep 27, 2009 8:22 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Nice little side question, How do you compare your trainer staff to other teams?
by derekk on Sep 27, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I like this. Can it be phrased in such a way to avoid the generic, “We like the current training staff. They’re good. blah, blah.” type of answer?
by magicfaninTN on Sep 27, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
To VC,
The teams winning championships recently have consistently placed in the tops of team defensive ratings every season, and for SVG, he coaches a defense first philosophy. What has SVG said to you about your defense?
by derekk on Sep 27, 2009 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
good one -- or something like 'do you expect to make defense more a priority this year than in years passed?'
by CaliFlorida on Sep 27, 2009 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think SVG will give him a choice.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
It'd be interesting to see whether he would tacitly admit to not always giving his best effort on defense.
Which everybody basically recognizes.
by CaliFlorida on Sep 27, 2009 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think he'd admit that. I'd be surprised if he did, to be honest.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
I don't think he would explicitly either.
But if he indicates a different defensive mindset of some sort heading into this season than previous seasons, that would be interesting to hear. And depending, a tacit admission of not giving his all in years passed might come out of it.
by CaliFlorida on Sep 28, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions
What does SVG look for when deciding who will be the first PF off the bench? (Alternately, what does he need to see from Bass and Anderson in order to determine who is the first off the bench?)
by magicfaninTN on Sep 27, 2009 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Situational
It seems the Magic are going to be a more offensive team in 2009/10. Hypothetically, if the team is up by 15 points in the first half of games. Would we sub for a more defensive group? Like Barnes/Bass instead of the more offensive
3/4 types on the team. In hopes of stopping any momentum on the opponents team?
For Jameer
You made the all-star team last year after a great first half. What do you plan on doing to take the next step as a point guard and lead your team to the championship? What are your goals as an individual this year?
by TheRevTy on Sep 27, 2009 11:13 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
For Bass
Stan Van Gundy has a history of taking young players and helping them realize their potential. What can he help you to achieve as a player?
by TheRevTy on Sep 27, 2009 11:14 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
For Rashard
With Hedo gone, there will be more opportunity to play small forward, the position you played during your time in Seattle. Would you still consider that your natural position? What changes need to happen to adapt back to the 3?
by TheRevTy on Sep 27, 2009 11:16 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Good question, I'll try to ask him that question in some manner.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
For Pietrus
In the playoffs last year, you flourished as the spark of energy off the bench. Can we expect a 6th Man of the Year bid out of you?
by TheRevTy on Sep 27, 2009 11:18 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
For Jason
Early in your career, you were known for your amazing passes. Now that you have 2 of the best dunkers in the game on your team, can we expect a resurgence of White Chocolate YouTube videos?
by TheRevTy on Sep 27, 2009 11:23 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I already have a question like this prepared for Jason, so this will probably be asked.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
For Dwight
How will having a tough rebounding power forward like Brandon Bass by your side affect your game?
by TheRevTy on Sep 27, 2009 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
For Adonal
You’ve been Dwight’s practice opponent for a handful of years now. What stands between him and offensive dominance?
by TheRevTy on Sep 27, 2009 11:28 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs
I like this one a lot.
Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation | Brandon Bass: "I just play hard."
Maybe ask the same thing for Gortat?
As in Gortat’s progress and ceiling on offense.
Assuming Adonal gets to guard March in practice a lot
Yeah - and ask him to compare Dwight to Gortat.
There’s been some discussion on this board saying that there wouldn’t be a big drop off if Gortat had to step in for Dwight. What about getting Foyle’s take?
by CaliFlorida on Sep 28, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Not necessarily
Maybe it was just me, but play seemed a lot more fluid and ball movement looked better when Gortat was in. I think not having to rely on Dwight so much makes the offense more “creative.”
Definitely not saying we’re better with March in there, but there shouldn’t be a big drop-off points-wise with him in there, especially if Jameer, VC, and Shard are on the court at the same time.
It was just you.
haha
I can see that maybe as a whole the team played more “creatively” but I mean points on their own, I think if Marcin were to command double teams (which I don’t think he would) he wouldn’t put up 21 a night.
SVG
Will the backup PG position be battled out for in training camp? Will we see one backup basically eliminate the other’s time? Or will you employ AJ and J-Will at times per matchups and to keep both ready for the playoffs?
SVG
Are you worried that the Magic will likely lose some team defensive abilities in favor of offense? (If he even thinks they lost anything defensively.. bc I dont see it)
Will this season be a disappointment if you don't win a championship?
To SVG, Dwight, Rashard, Vince, or Jameer
That's a question with an obvious answer - yes.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
My interest in the question isn't really the answer as much as whether the players and coach are willing to go on record and say it.
Upfront, with no ambiguity. If they are, I think that says a lot about this team and its mindset.
They've already been on record in saying it.
It’s obvious what the team’s goal is.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
And again, the interest isn't in finding out what the team goal is. Yes, that is obvious.
The curiosity is whether, to a man, they have the stones to say ‘yes, if we don’t win a championship, this season will be a failure.’
We’ve all followed sports long enough to know that some players are willing to publicly set the bar at its highest level and others fudge. I’d be interested in knowing what this team would say because it would signal what type of competitors we have.
I don’t recall hearing Dwight, Rashard, Vince, Jameer or even SVG I don’t think say this season is a failure if they don’t win it all. I could be wrong but I follow the Magic pretty closely.
yes, Dwight, Jameer have said it for sure. I cant say for sure, for sure about SVG and Lewis, but Dwight and Jameer yes.
Don't think so -- they've both talked about "wanting" to win a championship.
Don’t think they’ve said the season is a failure if they don’t. There’s a difference.
Someone like Jordan would not have considered a season like the last one a success. Did the core Magic guys? I don’t know.
The expectations last year were different.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
To SVG -- who's the 5th starter when Rashard comes back?
Or is there a favorite heading into camp?
Will you experiment during the season in that regard?
It's either Barnes or Pietrus, and from what I'm hearing, Matt is favored to start.
Given that it makes more sense, from a rotation-standpoint, to bring Mickael off the bench.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Yeah -- WE have been through this. But I wonder if the coach is willing to give any indications.
I would think SVG would say something like whoever wins the spot. And then we could all speculate on if we believe that or not.
Matt Barnes, MP
Alot of projected lineups and predictions say you will either start or be a big part of the team this coming season and recently SVG said you have a good chance to be the in-bounds passer for some very critical moments of games, just like Hedo Turkoglu did.
It seems the Magic are very high on your abilities as a player, particularly on the defensive end.
Whether you or MP starts this season, Do you think you two can be as effective defensively as say, the forward combo of Battier and Artest was last season for HOU, known as possibly the best 1-2 punch of defensive wing players in the league last season?
SVG and Ryan
SVG: Do you plan on using Anderson strictly as a situation player or does he figure to be part of the main front court rotation?
Ryan: Besides stretching the floor with your 3-point shooting, in what other ways do you feel you can contribute to the team, offensively and defensively? (Translation: Are you more than just a stand-still 3pt shooting big?)
by bandrewg08 on Sep 28, 2009 12:51 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Good questions, I can ask either one.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
SVG and Gortat
SVG: Will Gortat’s minutes depend strictly on Dwight’s foul status and/or giving him a breather? (pretty much his role last year) Or will he have a bigger role than last year’s, especially if he has shown improvement on offense (PF-like skills, mid range shot etc.)
Gortat: It’s no secret that you were excited about the opportunity to become the new starting center in Dallas and were a little surprised that the Magic matched. Will you be satisfied being Dwight’s backup for the next 5 years?
by bandrewg08 on Sep 28, 2009 1:03 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, I think everyone knows that answer
Just wanna see how he would react to a question like that lol. Maybe you guys can make Bianchi ask it.
Brandon Bass
There seems to be a good chance that SVG will elect to play Rashard Lewis at PF after the suspension to keep the floor spaced out for Dwight with four 3pnt shooters. Thats not what they want from you however..
They seem set to play you as Tony Battie’s role from last season. He brought better defense, rebounding, and a midrange game for the team. However, Battie was in his mid 30’s and you seem better in every single aspect. I wouldn’t be surprised if you started some games this season or in the playoffs and increased the minutes per game he had last season. Have you watched some last season games to see what Battie was doing?
Jason Williams
Along with many other Magic players, it seems you have already been working out and training alot of the summer here. How do you feel health and fitness wise? Wil this possibly be your healthiest season yet?
In terms of play, have you learned more Magic offense already since being signed, whether by playbook studying or video of previous games? The Magic offense also seems to take 3 point shooting and apply it 3 times more than a normal team, have you been practicing your 3pnt shooting and feel confident in taking that shot?
Mickael Pietrus
You missed playing with France this summer to help heal yourself fully.
What else have you done to keep yourself healthier this season, instead of doing all your damage in the playoffs? with a grin
Will you spend more time with the trainer staff this year also, even if for injury prevention only?
And in terms of play,
You were one of the best wing defenders in the playoffs and brought some impressive and clutch offensive production as well.
Do you think you can be as consistenly good as you were in the playoffs for this upcoming season and improve upon it?
Dwight Howard
On offense,
Do you see yourself playing face up more often? It seems you’ve become quite efficient and confident with the midrange jumper, and it’d give you more room for attacking the basket quickly.
You also seemed much more adept than usual at passing out of the post in the playoffs than you were in the regular season. Will we see that more now in this upcoming regular season?
Some people would say your best offensive ability is to simpy power through opponents for the slam and that you’ve gotten away from it alittle by overplaying the sweeping hook a little too much. Will we see more power plays and post plays in your offense this year?
On defense,
In terms of team defense, you are the anchor and focal point of it all, your blocking and presence have changed countless shots inside the paint, and statistically every team plays in the paint less than normal when they play the Magic because of you.
One year you said you would get the rebounding title and thus it happened that year.
Then you said you would get the blocking title and thus it happened also, along with the rebounding title again and your first DPOY award.
Will you drop defensively now that you have won the rebounding, blocking, and DPOY title, or will you keep holding those positions and improve upon them?
Vince Carter
Like your former coach Lawrence Frank, Stan Van Gundy is a more vocal and pushing coach than the typical head coach of the NBA.
During round 2 of the Boston Celtics playoffs, the Magic found themselves down 3-2 in the series and Dwight made a public statement questioning a few moves by SVG. However, Dwight and SVG took a long talk together and by the following morning, we’re back to a good relationship and on the same page. As you obviously know, the Magic came through to win that series on their home floor later on.
Now hypothetically speaking, if SVG was yelling at you to play with more focus, or if you and SVG got in a dispute, how would you react?
Would you, like Dwight, be able to admit a mistake if it were to happen, or to quickly get the relationship back to a good level and move on, on the same page as the coach and team?

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