Off-Day Open Thread: Should the Orlando Magic Sign a Fourth Point Guard to Substitute for Jason Williams During the Preseason?
by Evan Dunlap on Sep 29, 2010 11:00 PM EDT
in Off-Day Open Thread
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In the wake of Jason Williams' knee surgery--a proccedure this morning to remove loose cartilage will cost him the next four weeks, and thus the remaining two days of training camp and the entire preseason--Brian Schmitz argues the Orlando Magic need to sign another point guard to replace him:
They are one twisted ankle away from having just one PG, and Williams will be out the entire preseason.
Jameer Nelson is the starter and Chris Duhon the back-up, but Nelson has been injury-prone and you don’t want to overwork him.
Schmitz also says Magic coach Stan Van Gundy told him the team isn't interested in signing another point guard.
Whose side do you take here? For relative chump change, the Magic could sign a free-agent point guard strictly to serve as a body in training camp so Duhon and Nelson can get some rest; as it is, the Magic are having Vince Carter and J.J. Redick slide down there from shooting guard. The fact that Anthony Johnson, who spent the last two seasons in Orlando, is still on the market may make this option especially attractive, as he would not need to be brought up to speed on the Magic's system. In fact, no point guard played more minutes for the Magic in 2008/09 than Johnson did.
Some other free-agent point guards on the market, according to ShamSports, are Dan Dickau, Jamaal Tinsley, and Rafer Alston. Given GM Otis Smith's preference for signing NBA veterans--as opposed to younger players who are perhaps rougher around the edges but with more upside--it's safe to say that the likes of Oliver Lafayette and Sean Singletary would not be considered.
On the other hand, the Magic "are one twisted ankle away" from losing depth at any position, not just at point guard, so spending money on a late camp/preseason invitee there might not make a lot of sense. And would anyone be interested in collecting a comparatively minor paycheck for a few weeks of work with the Magic knowing that he stands no chance of making the final roster?
Both viewpoints are defensible. Where do you stand?
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Agreed
I don’t think there would be any harm in signing AJ to fill in as the third PG until Williams is ready to return, which might not be until a week or two into the season.
"Bear Down, Chicago Bears"...
Chicago Blackhawks... 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Champions
Orlando Magic... 2009 NBA Eastern Conference Champions
by Mike from Illinois on Sep 30, 2010 4:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I miss Dad already.
Please bring him back.
They should be fine but you never know. I’d be happy with Duhon playing big minutes in the preseason though. I’d obviously like him to be playing well in the system when the season starts. Money-wise, the Magic have very little cash and wherever we can save would be great even though we’re not talking about a whole lot of money.
The intensity has to go up, up! Not down...UP! -Stan Van Gundy
No way
If they do sign anyone, it better be a young d-leaguer that has the potential to surprise.
If you were a man I would punch you, right in the mouth.
Yeah, that's not likely.
Last Magic D-League call-ups were Desmond Penigar and Britton Johnsen in 2003/04.Which was one year before any current Magic player joined the team.
I think that Duhon getting minutes without an alternative in the pre-season and for
the start of the season is a very good plan. If an injury occures it would be a big problem with or without a 4rth PG. Of course as other people here suggest, wouldn’t mind seeing Dad in a Magic uni again.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
I voted "No, they will be OK with Nelson and Duhon, with Vince Carter and J.J. Redick filling in if necessary"
But I would give a 10 day contract to someone… if that is possible.
OT: reading the last news around media day, Otis and Stan let believe that
will try to change or maybe “experiment” a little more in terms of the line-ups. Do you guys think that this will impact this year ? I mean, should we be prepared to have less wins during the corse of the reg. season in order to give time to gel certain things ? The general idea is that the team needs more size vs Boston but even vs a team like the Heat taking the ball under the rim might not be a bad offensive strategy.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
I'm not worried
I went with “I’m not sure” because I’m conflicted with the option of VC & J.J. covering PG. I think VC can handle it in short stretches but I don’t want J.J. out there wasting energy at PG where it’s a bad match-up for him. He’s one of the most fit SG’s so keep him at SG with the slower guards where he can come off the bench to get a running start and make it sizzle.
We’ve got a young second string C that’s capable of starting on some teams and now J.J.‘s proven to be start worthy on some teams, he’s even opened debate on whether or not he should start over VC. While that topic should remain an open debate my current stance is that the lethality of them individually, as it coincides with the surrounding core, makes them interchangeable. VC can do things J.J. can’t and with J.J. being so young/well conditioned he’s able to come in and run the opposition ragged like RIP or Allen because no matter who the opponent is, when J.J. takes the floor they have to keep eyes on him. Likewise, they have to do the same with VC and for different reasons. Given we stay healthy, we’re stacked at C, SG & PG.
Last season showed me that while I think Gortat is capable of starting on a lot of teams, the jump J.J. made last season puts him in a tier above Gortat because of his versatility and efficiency. He went from the third best bench player to the best and he should remain that way for the duration of his contract because of fundamentals, work ethic and natural talent. I’m not sleeping on what the Magic are building, all they need is a little of this… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWLFpW0mR6M
"It can be done, you can just crush somebody"
I'f Dad was back I'd be all for it
He sits on the bench for 1/4 of the season and when he finally gets his # called he doesn’t miss a beat. He’s on top of the rotations, he’s durable and he plays with an edge. Plus, he taught J.J. how to shoot.
"It can be done, you can just crush somebody"
He also taught Jameer how to finish at the basket
Bring back, Dad!
Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek
by funny80sguy on Sep 30, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Dad would cost double
I mean, ~1 mil is no easy money for a guy to sit on a bench.
If someone gets injured, just explore trades or sign a player then. Who’s not going to be available later that a team hasn’t picked up now? What I mean is “Dad” is available for a reason and that probably won’t change in a month or 10.
I think we need another option on your survey that states, “worry about it if or when it happens.”
Pre-season? We talking about pre-season?
We won’t miss Jason if he’s out until the start of the season.
I’d like to continue seeing VC and JJ filling in at the point. Let’s give Pietrus some time down there, too!
If we can increase our players’ comfort as passers, I think that will pay dividends at their regular positions.
i hope you're kidding about Pietrus
In the last five seasons, only 20 players have managed to play more than 1600 minutes in a single season with 49 assists or fewer. Pietrus and Rasual Butler are the only perimeter players to accomplish that feat.
He is, quite literally, one of the league’s most reluctant passers.I say “reluctant” and not “worst” because his turnover numbers are quite low.
Joking? Yes.
That was exactly my point. Pietrus needs to loosen his grip on the basketball.
Just for kicks, give the guy 5 minutes a day during training camp at PG. Maybe it’ll help.
Bring the ball up cout, jack up a three.
Rinse and repeat!
"Teams are making adjustments to us, it’s not the other way around," Smith said. "Right after (the Heat) signed LeBron and Bosh, they went out and signed eight centers. So I’m not overly concerned."
I'll tell ya about the Magic It'll free your soul but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll
by NC Magic Fan on Sep 30, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you mean :
bring the ball up, travel, bring the ball up, jack up a three, bring the ball up, step out of bounds……
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
BTW just read that SVG is very happy with MP in training camp.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Cheese,
name one NBA team that’s more than one “twisted ankle” away from a mediocre season. Injuries are always a part of the equation, and we Orlando fans have been very lucky the last few seasons to have had so few to worry about. Four week recovery before the season begins? This is a non-issue….
Man is the only non-linear computing device still mass-produced by unskilled labor.
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