2008 Orlando Magic NBA Preview & Season Predictions

Written October 7, 2008 by Luke Knight

Orlando is coming off their best season in 12 years. The Magic won 52 games last season, won a playoff series against Toronto, and picked up some valuable lessons in their second round loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Magic and Coach Stan Van Gundy love the 3-point shot. Orlando led the NBA last season in 3-pointers made, set an NBA record by making at least five 3-pointers in all 82 games, had 45 games where they made at least 10 3-pointers, and their total of 801 3-pointers made was second in NBA history. Keep reading to see if we think the Magic can follow up that magical season last year with bigger and better things. Head over to BetUS to bet on Orlando at +2200 odds of winning the NBA Championship this season. Plus, each night the Magic play you can check the NBA odds on them from several top internet sportsbooks!

Jameer Nelson is going into his 5th NBA season and many still doubt his abilities. Many don’t feel that Nelson is good enough to be a starter on a contending team, but that is just what he is. Nelson is only 6-0, but Otis Smith believes he is the Magic’s point guard of the future and gave him a four-year deal before last season. Nelson averaged just 28.4 minutes as the starter last season and often struggled defensively, so he has to get better physically and defensively if he wants to continue to start for this contender. Nelson has to get the ball to Dwight Howard, while keeping Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu happy, which is no easy feat. Nelson can also hit the open 3-pointer. Anthony Johnson was picked up to provide toughness and defense at the point guard position, and with Nelson averaging less than 30 minutes a game, Johnson should get plenty of minutes.

Mickael Pietrus, a solid defensive stopper in the backcourt, will be given his chance to shine in Orlando. Peitrus will likely get more playing time than he ever has before, and most of his scoring chances will probably be limited to spot-up 3-pointers as he will be the 5th scoring option, but he should be able to make the most of them. Courtney Lee, rookie out of Western Kentucky, looks to be the guy to backup Pietrus. J.J. Redick is listed as the backup on the depth chart, but the Magic never game him a chance to play, and spent the summer trying to trade him. If Courtney Lee improves the way the Magic expect him to, Redick and Keith Bogans could be dealt this season.

Hedo Turkoglu had a breakout season last year, winning the league’s Most Improved Player Award and just missing the All-star game. Turkoglu had always been a role player, until he became the late-game, go-to-guy for the Magic in his 8th season. A number of factors affected Turkoglu’s breakout role. Van Gundy’s confidence in him, the presence of Dwight Howard, and the willingness of Rashard Lewis to alter his game and his role to better the team all led to Turkoglu emerging as a clutch player. Turkoglu should get more minutes at shooting guard this season. Tony Battie will return to the power forward position, which means Rashard Lewis will shift back to his natural small forward position. With Turkoglu shifting to shooting guard, Rashard Lewis at strong forward, and Tony Battie at power forward, the Magic will have a bigger lineup and the shift will allow Battie and Howard to be on the floor at the same time. Regardless of who is at this position, Turkoglu and Lewis can both drop 3-pointers, and don’t hesitate to let the ball fly. Neither player is great defensively, but both are hard to slow also.

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Rashard Lewis spent most of his time at the power forward position last season, and while he had trouble defending the more physical players around the basket due to his strength, he was also nearly impossible to chase on the perimeter. Tony Battie will return after missing last season following rotator cuff surgery. Battie is a bigger power forward, but lacks the range offensively. Battie will likely spend most of his time backing up Lewis here, when the Magic need more rebounds. Battie could also get some time backing up Dwight Howard when he needs a break.

Dwight Howard is the reason that Orlando led the NBA in 3-pointers, despite the fact that he didn’t make a single one. With Howard’s emergence as the best center in the NBA, teams had to double up on the defensive, which left Orlando’s bombers free to take open 3-point shots. Howard did a solid job in the Beijing Olympics and now has a gold medal to go with his All-NBA first team honors and his first start in the All-star game. Howard is only 22, which means he hasn’t hit his athletic peak, so there is good reason for teams around the league to fear how good he will actually be. Howard averaged 20.7 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. For the 4th consecutive year Howard played in all 82 games. Adonal Foyle, a career backup out of Colgate in his 11th season, could get some minutes off the bench.

Final Analysis

The return of Tony Battie gives the Magic more size, and when he and Howard are on the court at the same time he will take some of the pressure off of Howard. Mickael Pietrus should shine as the 5th scoring option and Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis will continue to be impressive scorers. Dwight Howard creates so much for this offense that there is no reason to think they will decline. Jameer Nelson needs to get more durable and better defensively, but with Anthony Johnson as his backup, the Magic should be fine on both ends of the court. This team has good chemistry and is team-oriented with Lewis and Turkoglu being low-key, low-maintenance athletes, who know that Howard makes their jobs easier. Nelson also knows his role. If they continue to get along as well as they have in the past, this team will be very dangerous in the Eastern Conference. We have them winning the Southeast Division over the Hawks, Bobcats, Wizards, and Heat, and securing a spot in the playoffs. This team looks to go deep in the Eastern Conference and will be dangerous to face late in the season. The Magic are +700 odds to win the Eastern Conference at BetUS.

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