Van Gundy vs. Smith?

All the Finals team needed was a healthy Jameer Nelson. They should have brought back Turk then while he was still confident in his game. Courtney Lee should have been given the chance to grow with Dwight Howard. I like Anderson, but Courtney Lee is what Orlando needs now. The Finals team should never have been blown up. Again very easy to say that now.

He probably could be that guy we’re missing, who can break you down off the dribble. Not an elite scorer, sure, but certainly quick and capable. Able to get past defenders. He’s lost in the stacks in Houston, but still scoring 8ppg on 45% shooting (40% from 3).

With decent defensive chops who could hit the three ball.

On paper, it looked like an OK signing, although I argued a lot with Evan at the time about whether the Magic massively overpaid.

He turned out not really to be any of those things, of course, which is a shame, but looking at the guy last year, I can see what Otis was thinking. He screwed the pooch on the length of the deal and the money, though. 3 years and $8m would have been more than Duhon’s best projection was worth.

The Magic were a lot better in transition in 2009 (and in 2008, really). Turnovers led to a lot more fast break points. We didn’t have the luxury of Howard establishing position and going to work, so in transition he’d fill the paint, get the pass and rise up for the slam or ugly hookshot. If the defense collapsed quick enough, he’d dish it back out and someone always got an open look.

We played faster. It wasn’t necessarily off of turnovers, but transition following rebounds. Howard moved more without the ball, facing the basket, rolling off of picks, which is why almost all of his shots were dunks.

This new post game has slowed things down.

I appreciate your argumentativeness, truly, but I never said we created a lot of turnovers. Just that the turnovers led to more fast break points because were better in transition. We had guys who knew how to fill the paint and kick it out to the perimeter when necessary, none better than Howard.

We weren’t playing the stilted half court game we are now.

The nature of the relationship between the two does not really matter at the highest level of the Magic brass. My main worry would be if they decide to clean up the house fully, and bring in a young coach for the build-up. Of course, that would not happen if there is any hope of retaining Dwight. My guess is that Smith would be fired, this summer, but Van Gundy would be retained pending Dwight’s decision.

but I think Otis would take him. Much longer reach.

Stan’s plucky, though, so who knows?

when they can pry him from my dead cold grasp

How telling was it that we started to shine the second Howard sat down?

Kind of like we did against Chicago without him.

But Howard clearly isn’t the problem. The problem is trying to route the offense through him in the post on every possession. When we play pick and roll basketball, we succeed. When we move Howard up higher and let him face the basket, he creates for himself and others.

I have to admit, it was a bit encouraging to see Arenas successfully executing the pick and roll with Howard and others. Maybe this can work out.

But this dumping the ball in to Howard and letting him post up every single time, or kicking out to perimeter guys who are just standing around, I mean…I don’t know why that was ever an option.