Orlando Magic News: Larry Hughes, DeAndre Liggins Make Team, According to Report
by Evan Dunlap on Dec 22, 2011 4:31 PM EST
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The Orlando Magic have elected to keep combo guards Larry Hughes and DeAndre Liggins on their opening-night roster, coach Stan Van Gundy said Thursday, meaning the two training-camp invitees have made the team, at least for now.
Orlando invited Hughes, DeAndre Liggins, and point guard Gabe Pruitt to training camp, but waived Pruitt following Wednesday's preseason finale against the Miami Heat. Pruitt didn't play in either of Orlando's preseason games and was a longshot to overtake the veteran Hughes or the rookie Liggins.
Hughes, who did not play professionally during the 2010/11 season, has 12 years of NBA experience. He most recently played for the Charlotte Bobcats after the Sacramento Kings waived him, just five days after acquiring him from the New York Knicks in a salary dump. Hughes owns career averages of 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals. At 6-foot-5, he has excellent size for a point guard, but can also play both wing positions.
The Magic selected Liggins with the No. 54 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. The Kentucky product has earned comparisons to fellow Chicago native Tony Allen for his aggressive, hard-nosed defense. In his three-year Wildcat career, Liggins averaged 8.6 points, four rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. In his most recent season, Liggins played 31.6 minutes and shot a career-best 39.1 percent from three-point range.
Hughes could challenge Chris Duhon for Orlando's backup point guard job. Liggins, meanwhile, figures to see spot minutes as a situational defender. It's also possible the Magic will send him to the NBA D-League for seasoning.
Retaining Hughes and Liggins sets Orlando's roster at 15 players, the league maximum. The NBA will allow teams to dress 13 players, instead of the usual 12, through Feb. 6. It's unclear which two players Van Gundy will keep inactive.
Orlando's season begins December 25th against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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I was very happy with the way Larry Hughes played last night
Was he playing PG or SG in his last few stints?
He look under control and able to run the offense. Waaaaay better than Chris Doo-Doo-hon
Good news.
I liked what I saw from both of them.
Liggins’ first step is pretty good, as we saw when he got past Wade on more than one occasion. I don’t know if he can complete the play inside by finishing or shooting…but his kickouts were effective, and that’s points. It’s nice to know he won’t be a complete black-hole on offense when he’s in, even if it’s solely from good ball rotation.
Hughes really impressed, if only because I had such low expectations. He got a few points, kept the ball moving, and didn’t look terrible — being better than Duhon isn’t a high bar, and he cleared it. I’m curious what kind of lineups we’d see with him in, considering he was playing PG on offense and SF on defense last night (with JJ and Liggins on the gaurd spots, I believe).
The Magic have some solid young talent, which bodes well for a “keep Howard” pitch down the line, showing that the franchise is poised to grow. Liggins, Harper, Orton, Clark, Anderson, JJ…lots of young talent in that pack. Not superstars, sure, but a lot of current/potential solid rotation players in that mix.
by The BBQ Chicken Madness on Dec 22, 2011 4:48 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
I really liked the difference it made having a taller point guard
Especially having Hughes guard the 3 while having 2 other guards out there. For teams that don’t have a super speedy point guard, that really allows for a lot of different looks – especially if guys like Turk aren’t able to play.
Here’s hoping to more games for him like that one.
Can we just start playing games on the court already?!
Im glad to see this.
I was nervous that we’d throw out Hughes for an empty roster spot. Hopefully Hughes will take over the backup PG duties for the Magic and let Duhon put a suit on.
Pietrus was just waived by the Suns
I wonder how bad his knee is and if he would still be a viable player for the Magic.
If the Magic must trade Dwight to the Lakers, it better be for Gasol & Bynum and 2 picks, and the Lakers better take Duhon & Turkoglu (I'll miss you, Hedo!!!)l.
No room
We’d have to cut someone to sign him.
by eltharion_doa on Dec 22, 2011 7:35 PM EST up reply actions
Magic won't go into a compressed season
With one and a half point guards. Duhon, however awful he is, will be on the roster.
by eltharion_doa on Dec 22, 2011 9:58 PM EST up reply actions
i read on twitter
that Duhon is the backup pg instead of Hughes for now…i really hope that’s not true.. Duhon needs to be our waterboy
Don't be a follower homie, be a leader! And if I lose you on twitter, then so be it
by supermantotherescue on Dec 22, 2011 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
One and a half?
You give Duhon far too much credit. He’s so bad, he’s like having a negative pg.
I have a feeling he's gonna be a Celtic
I would HATE that…
by Memphissleek on Dec 22, 2011 10:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
yea
same here…i’d love to have him back, but there’s simply no room for him on our roster.. even tho i still think he’s a better player than Q Rich
Don't be a follower homie, be a leader! And if I lose you on twitter, then so be it
by supermantotherescue on Dec 22, 2011 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
but i do like
the toughness and trash talking Q rich brings to the table
Don't be a follower homie, be a leader! And if I lose you on twitter, then so be it
by supermantotherescue on Dec 22, 2011 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
no thanks on Pietrus
black hole on offense, doesn’t slash to the basket anymore, terrible free throw shooter, not engaged/commited on defense anymore, often injured.
proposed lineup based on how I think SVG will use the roster
12 man active roster
C- Howard, Orton
PF- Anderson, Davis
SF- Turk, Clark, Q
SG- J Richardson, Redick
PG- Nelson, Hughes, Duhon
3 players on non-active reserved list
Harper, Liggins, Wafer
SVG has shown over the years that he likes to have 3 PGs on the active roster, so Duhon is in, though i really think Hughes will eventually take over the backup PG role.
He will take Clark’s defense and Q’s experience over the youth/inexperience of Harper, Liggins, and Wafer. Look for them to really contribute next year after they learn SVG’s system…. see Redick, Anderson, Bass, Clark, as players who get/got more time in their second years under SVG.
All in all, I feel better about this team going into the season than I thought I would.
Teams can have 13 players active until February 6th
So, I imagine we’ll see Wafer on that list.
Can we just start playing games on the court already?!
We should send Duhon to the D-League
God knows he belongs in the F-League
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Dec 23, 2011 7:11 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
as in fired league
That clown is a waste of a seat at courtside
i hope duhon isnt on the activelist
and we keep both von wafer and either liggins or harper
Don't be a follower homie, be a leader! And if I lose you on twitter, then so be it
by supermantotherescue on Dec 24, 2011 4:35 AM EST up reply actions
I don't know if anyone else saw this.
Hollinger predicts Orlando as the number four seed and said they could get as high as the two seed. Basketball prospectus had them as the number 3 seed. I honestly believe Orlando can take the Bulls due to matchups that favor them. Believed it last year and believe it this year. I understand they lost to the Hawks, but you can not count for thirty lucky shots and the Magic missing wide open shots. I think the odds were 12% of what happened, happening. It did. It is a statistical anomaly. The only team I really fear is the Heat. But Orlando has shown they can beat them. I don’t think it is as gloomy as everyone thinks. Even if they get plastered tomorrow.
Roll Bass and War Ryno for me
by Mateo9399 on Dec 24, 2011 6:37 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I dont know if Dwight will let this affect his play especially if we are winning
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Dec 24, 2011 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe they'll think that the only way they'll win a title
Is to play their butts off and make Dwight want to stay.
by eltharion_doa on Dec 25, 2011 5:31 AM EST up reply actions
Hollinger accounter for it in his prediction.
If Dwight is engaged he said they have a good shot at the two seed. If not four or lower possibly. I think Dwight will be engaged. He likes to be liked, so hearing boos for 33 home games would make him uncomfortable.
Roll Bass and War Ryno for me
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