May 8, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers small forward Danny Granger (33) dribbles the ball around Orlando Magic small forward Quentin Richardson (5) during game five in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Orlando 105-87. Mandatory Credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE
Orlando Magic Off Season Recap
Well if you’re a fan of the NBA, you know what big move the Orlando Magic made this off season shipping off Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers for a bunch of guys in return. I know it sounds bad by not naming the players that all came to Orlando, but when you look at the trade, the names aren’t that well known.  The only good to come out of this for the Magic is they will have some spending money and they got rid of the Dwight Howard drama.  But they also have a new head coach and some new players that they hope can contend for their team.  The Magic did get Al Harrington, Arron Affalo, Josh McRoberts, and some draft picks out of this deal. But look at those names and think about Dwight Howard, does that even compare apples and oranges? It wasn’t a good trade for the Magic, but they had to do it.  Jameer Nelson got resigned by the team.  Ryan Anderson gets traded away.  Now first time head coach Jaque Vaughn has to figure out how to get this Magic team going, but it looks like it will be a few years before they’ll be back to the playoffs.
That’s where I see the team going, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they’re a lottery team this coming season.  There’s a little bit of talent, and even some veteran presence, but this team will miss Dwight Howard and Ryan Anderson.  It’s going to be a long season for the head coach, and hopefully he’ll get some time to develop this team or get the players that can play there soon.  You know how the cycle is in sports, you don’t win, the coach gets fired.  What a job for Jaque Vaughn to tackle his first time out head coaching.
Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic Match Up
These teams met in the first round of the playoffs last season with the Pacers getting the better end of it.  With the major pieces gone in Orlando, the Pacers should get the better end again against them.  I can’t see this Orlando team being that good.  They could win a game from the Pacers in the regular season, but it probably won’t be close.
Look at the talent of the Pacers, especially in the post area. Â Roy Hibbert and David West should be called upon to take advantage of the fact that Glen Davis could be guarding Hibbert. Â Hibbert has a big size advantage on him. Â The Pacers will have to exploit that.
Danny Granger can take advantage that Hedo Turkoglu will be defending him. Â Turkoglu is not known for any defense, so I can see Granger having a good series against the Magic.
It won’t be pretty in my opinion as the Pacers are the contenders and the Magic will be pretenders.
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