Off-Day Open Thread: Which Unusual Orlando Magic Lineup Combination Would You Like to See the Team Try Next?
by Evan Dunlap on Oct 7, 2010 8:19 AM EDT
in Off-Day Open Thread
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PrintThe NBA preseason is a time for, among other things, experimentation. Coaches can tinker with new lineups, plays, and philosophy in games of no consequence in a real game setting against real opponents, as opposed to on the practice court in a scrimmage.
The Orlando Magic began their preseason Tuesday night in a victory over the Houston Rockets which can alternately be described as thrilling and sloppy. The banner change in their lineup was playing Rashard Lewis at small forward for a majority of his minutes, though he indeed started at power forward. But as I noted yesterday, Lewis was the only player who manned more than one position for Orlando. Which, in turn, got me thinking about the other multi-positional players on the team's roster, and which two-player combinations might be similarly compelling.
I'm curious to hear what you think on this topic. Now that we've seen how Lewis and Brandon Bass fare together that the forward spots, for example, what's next? Your poll choices are:
J.J. Redick at shooting guard, Vince Carter at small forward: the Magic tended to play much better with this alignment than with Carter at the two and Matt Barnes at the three against the Bosotn Celtics in the postseason, so to an extent, this pairing is a known commodity. Yet it's also something that might need another look.
Marcin Gortat at power forward, Dwight Howard at center: we've seen this group before too, but in very small, sporadic doses over the last two seasons. Aren't you the slightest bit curious to see whether Gortat can make good on his promise that he can stretch the floor on offense alongside Howard?
Stanley Robinson at small forward, Malik Allen at power forward: both of these players sat out Tuesday's win despite the fact that they're healthy. They're playing on unguaranteed deals and have yet to make their Magic debuts. Why not see what they can do together, even if it's in garbage time? There's always the chance for the high-flying Robinson to tip-in a missed Allen layup. And believe me, Allen misses a lot of layups.
I'm sure there are other combinations that are worth our attention, but those are the three that stood out the most. Feel free to vote the "other" option if you'd prefer to see an alternative lineup first. RSS readers, please visit this post on the website to vote in the poll. It ends tomorrow night at 7 PM.
The Magic's next chance to experiment is tomorrow night in Indiana against the Pacers.
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Two lineups:
Serious to God, I hope they use at some point. Vince and JJ in the back court, Rashard, Gortat and Dwight in the frontcourt. Just for a “Shock and Awe” type of set up mid game, to throw a team off. It would be weak defensely, but it would look like a Courtholding team at your local YMCA.
The other for “giggles”: Jameer, JJ, Vince, Rashard, Ryno i.e. The “Nellie Ball” Lineup. Jameer and Vince run the pick roll with anyone in the frontcourt, and there is an open three somewhere.
Shard/Gortat/Howard+JJ/Meer
But it seems that it won’t happen…
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-marcin-gortat-magic-1007-20101006,0,6210905.story
bye bye twin-towers… :(
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on Oct 7, 2010 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions
An experiment :)
As to Gortat playing PF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za47lu80714
Just fast forward to about 1:20 and LOOK.
It is a compilation but he seriously did bring it night in night out for 8 games.
Both on defense and offense – for almost 41 minutes per game.
It is not an issue if he “deserves” a bigger role. I just think it would make Orlando a better team…
Some of these moves look like the ones Hakeem was preaching to Howie, only this vid is from 2009 :D
But, whatever. Hope SVG is right and we can get to the finals playing the same way we did for the last 3 years.
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on Oct 7, 2010 8:53 AM EDT reply actions
Gortat and Howard
Actually I believe the lineup to beat the Celtics, is Dwight at the 4 and Gortat at the 5. Dwight can easily shut down KG. And Lewis was killing Paul Pierce. Also Pierce is not athletic enough to put a scare with Rashard defending him. Crunch time lineup would be Jameer, JJ, Lewis, Dwight, and Gortat. You could also switch Bass with Gortat. Perkins has no offense to be concerned with.
But against the Heat Lewis needs to stay at the four. Probably a lineup of Jameer, Carter, Pietrus, Lewis and Dwight is the ideal crunch time lineup. Probably the same for the Lakers.
Not only laker and celtics...
It’s just that we can beat most other teams anyway – with 1-4, so SVG doesn’t bother with mixing it up.
I guess Gortat/Howard would work great against half of the league (Toronto, Chicago, Milwaukee, Boston, Sacto, Houston, Minnesotta, Denver, San Antonio, Memphis…).
It’s just the priority list for SVG is different. He WANTS to get most of his points from distance. Big frontcourt is always a counter-measure for him. If you can beat another team without it, why try?
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on Oct 7, 2010 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Not true
Against New Orleans, Dwight shut down David West. Dwight can play the 4 better than Gortat in my opinion.
He can defend some power forwards, but he can't play the position on offense.
The arrangement you refer to, with Howard checking KG and Gortat on Perkins, would be a cross-match. Howard at C and Gortat at PF on offense, but switching defensively.
I saw a comment at the sentinel the other day saying to put Bass at the three spot. Ha.
So in order to top that I will go Duhon-JJ-Lewis-Ryan-Dwight and I will play a quick zone defense to prevent Rashard’s errors in that side of the court.
But seriously, I wouldn’t play the twin towers against Indiana. I look forward to seeing Dwight destroy Hibbert (who paly good last night) just to remind him who is the boss again. So might as well be JJ with Vince and keep twin towers for Amway’s première.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
After that one game last year where Hibbert embarrassed Dwight with a high scoring game . . .
I don’t think Dwight will ever let that happen again. Poor Hibbert will probably be on Dwight’s radar for the rest of his career.
Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek
Sure, Right after sharing a spliff with Grant Hill and hooking up with Beyonce :D
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on Oct 7, 2010 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Why would that be impossible?
I mean really, if I was Gortat (or any center trying to get better for that matter) I’d try and contact him and see what happens. It doesn’t have to be publicly, but I’d still do it.
Wouldn't it be a diss to the Magic big man coaching staff?
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on Oct 7, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Well it would, but it's even more that the franchise center does it
He does it because he needs it, and he’s the one that decides who he trains with in his free time.
True, but...
If Howard slapped SVG in the face the Orlando Franchise would still find a way to spin it for the media. Howard is untouchable.
On the other hand – everybody thinks that Gortat is such a stiff offensively that learning from anyone outside the coaching staff would seem a blasphemy.
I really think that Orlando shouldn’t have matched the offer from Dallas. What they need is a decent 30+ year old backup center and they cost much less than the Hammer…
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on Oct 7, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
It would not be a slap to the face
Ewing has moves he can pass on the Hakeem does not, and Hakeem has moves that he can teach that Ewing cannot. I would think that a player using his own time and resources to better his play would be smiled upon under most circumstances.
If you were a man I would punch you, right in the mouth.
In terms of good cap and roster management, I would agree with you
However, if the the Magic are willing to foot the bill for a backup center where a decent argument could be made that is at least in the top 5 at his position, then why not enjoy the luxury?
Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek
Agree. In a league where good centers aren't easy to find, when you find one
you keep him. It’s like LA that tries to get every player that gives KB fits on defense.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Anyway, check this lineup out:
Vince – Rashard – Ryan – Gortat – Howard
You basically have a 6’6/6’10/6’10/7’0/6’11 lineup. Tell me how you beat that if they play zone and you have bad shooters on your team?
Well I don't know about that
But at the same time I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. It always comes down to stuff like “yeah but they’re not quick enough to defend”. If you play zone, you don’t have to be that quick and, in my opinion, I’d take size over quickness.
It’s just overwhelming when all the guys from the opposing team are so big that it’s just a matter of time before you start to lose ground.
No, I was agreeing. Sorry.
I seriously believe, that is how teams like boston will defend the heat. Have one guy glued to miller and the rest playing some sort of strong side zone with shot contesting. Make them shoot long jumpers and threes when they should be getting in the lane.
by LastActionZero on Oct 7, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
F: None of the above,
Dwight- PG
Lewis- SG
Bass-SF
Ryan- PF
Gortat- C
ALL BIG LINEUP, FTW.
BTW, this is sarcasm, but it could work, who knows?
Honestly ain't I insane I think that's the way I gotta be
Ain't I so so supafly boy ain't nobody hot as me.
it's beautiful...
I'm a girl.
Join us in the march to Keep Fear Alive!
by TheGiantSquid on Oct 7, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
heh heh heh >:)
I'm a girl.
Join us in the march to Keep Fear Alive!
by TheGiantSquid on Oct 7, 2010 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
what
I'm a girl.
Join us in the march to Keep Fear Alive!
by TheGiantSquid on Oct 8, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I'd get Yao, Ilgauskas, Rik Smiths, Manute Bol (yes, I know) and Ghita Muresan together to form a great starting 5
It would be lineup of 7’6/7’4/7’4/’7’7 and 7’7. Pretty nice size.
vs Spud Webb, Nate Robinson, Mugsy Bogues, A.I. and Jameer.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Better lineup: Mugsy, Spud, Nate Rob, Earl Boykins, Earl Watson...The Midget Mauraders
by LastActionZero on Oct 7, 2010 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Can JJ play at the point guard position?
This is a fantasy line-up for the Magic:
JJ – PG
MP – SG
Lewis – SF
Anderson – PF
DH12 – C
How many assists per game for JJ with this line up?……………….. 7
Especially with Pietrus at the 2.
Talk about no help.
Unless, of course, it takes playing time away from Ryan Anderson.
YES ! Barça beat the Lakers !!!
Even if it’s pre-season, even if KB is way off (and hurt his team by playing in the 4rth), a LA loss has always a great taste.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
I personally say Dwight actually playing PF, but here’s a question I asked erivera7 and decided it was worthwhile to put here:
A lot of people have bashed the Rashard Lewis contract since Lewis really hasn’t pulled through in his three seasons on the Magic. I was under the impression that Lewis was offered the massive contract to be an SF not a PF next to Dwight. Certainly, he’s had three seasons to get used to PF, but would it be fair to say that this season, with SVG playing Lewis at the 3 more that it will be a better assessment of whether or not Otis Smith made the right choice? If it works out better, do you see Otis Smith (pending CBA resolution) trying to restructure the roster to let Lewis play the SF?
Poor Man's GM @ poormansgm.blogspot.com
Fundamentally Sound: Much Ado About the Spurs @ fundamentally-sound.blogspot.com
I'm not sure. We'll have to see how he does in expanded minutes at SF this year. But I still think he'll primarily be a PF.
I envision a 60/40 split, or so, between PF and SF, respectively.
And Lewis kinda needed to play PF, as Turkoglu certainly can't play SG and is too good to bench.
The Battie injury really sealed the move, I believe.
"Since Lewis really hasn't pulled through in his three seasons on the Magic"
You mean except for when he absolutely obliterated the Cavs in the 2009 ECF ?
It was the Cavs,
but i see your point.
Honestly ain't I insane I think that's the way I gotta be
Ain't I so so supafly boy ain't nobody hot as me.
by 4QB on Oct 7, 2010 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
They did?
I thought they had a better offense, than defense.
Honestly ain't I insane I think that's the way I gotta be
Ain't I so so supafly boy ain't nobody hot as me.
by 4QB on Oct 8, 2010 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Mike Brown =/= offense
their offense was lebron
I honestly believe that having Lewis at the 4 was what made the team to reach the finals.
IF SVG and Otis decide to change system this year is more of an adjustement to certain teams rather than a roster restructure, since they already have the roster they need to pull it off. I don’t really see what all that has to do with the contract of a player who was a SF in his former team. As Ben points out SVG used a line-up that worked well to take better advantage of all his players.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
I agree that Rashard was our second best player when we reached the Finals
But also we must consider his matchups leading to the Finals. I think the matchups were injured Elton Brand, Big Baby & past prime Ben Wallace. Now we’re looking at Bosh, KG & Boozer. Matchup wise we can do more damage against the Bulls & Celtics with Rashard getting some burn at SF. Against the Heat & Lakers Rashard has really tough matchups at either PF or SF. Those are the series where Jameer will have to take over and expose those weaknesses at PG.
"It can be done, you can just crush somebody"
I'm just saying...
Lewis was originally signed as a 22 PPG SF, something like a 3pt specialist.
Poor Man's GM @ poormansgm.blogspot.com
Fundamentally Sound: Much Ado About the Spurs @ fundamentally-sound.blogspot.com
J.J. & V.C. on the floor at the same time
is only a good move when the opposition goes small. Otherwise we get spanked on the glass with J.J. being a subpar rebounder, VC subpar at SF & especially if Rashard is at PF. Way too much size to be giving up for a slight increase in offense IMO. I never liked that lineup last season and only once do I remember it working to perfection where we unloaded a barrage of 3’s that went down but I remember the looks being no different than what we normally get.
"It can be done, you can just crush somebody"
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