Orlando Magic
Days Leading Up to the Draft: The Wings
Published
11 years agoon
By
FNN SPORTS
With the draft nine days away, the Magic should be targeting wings as well as the power forwards from last week’s article. If the team plans to primarily play Aaron Gordon at the four and decides not to keep Tobias Harris long term, drafting a wing would be beneficial to fortify that position. Furthermore, looking at the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors got themselves back into the series by playing small ball. Putting Aaron Gordon as center, an elite small ball lineup can be created if we draft a wing in this draft, as a lineup of Payton-Oladipo-Winslow/Johnson/Hezonja/Dekker-Harris-Gordon would be difficult to face on both the offensive and defensive end if they improve their three-point stroke. Regardless, there should be at least four wings the team looks at, and they are discussed below.
The Two Safe Picks: Justise Winslow and Stanley Johnson
Justise Winslow
No one player helped increase their stock after the NCAA tournament more than Justise Winslow. He showcased a fiery intensity on the defensive end, while also making momentum shifting offensive plays. What’s most impressive is how well he stepped up to the plate during the finals, when his fellow Duke teammate and star, Jahlil Okafor, was limited due to foul trouble. He is often compared to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but I believe he has much more offensive upside than MKG, as Winslow’s jump shot is not entirely broken. My only concern with Winslow is that he has made a couple dirty plays during this past season at Duke. Now, they may have been unintentional, but regardless, those are plays that should not be made. I am sure he will learn from his mistakes and will not make those unsafe plays in the NBA, so if the Magic are to draft Winslow, they should address and resolve this issue during their interview with him. Regardless, Winslow is a team-first player, whose work ethic will get him very far in the league.
Stanley Johnson
Unfortunately, Johnson has slipped off many draft boards’ top five and even top ten. When looking at the bigger picture, there should not be that much disparity between Winslow. Johnson could very well be one of the best players to come out of this draft class. Winslow’s draft stock increased greatly because his coach spaced the floor to allow Winslow to play to his strengths of driving in the paint. Looking closely, the hype surrounding Winslow was largely due to the coach playing to his strengths. Winslow has always been this talented; people just did not realize it because the offensive sets earlier in the season were not designed for Winslow to shine. On the other hand, Johnson’s coach hurt his stock during the NCAA tournament. Earlier on, the offensive plan really fit Johnson’s strengths. Poor spacing during the tournament over exaggerated Johnson’s “inability” to finish. Johnson shot the 3-ball at a surprisingly high clip and was a lockdown defender throughout the year. Mechanics-wise, his shot is not perfect just yet, as his shot is flat and the release timing is not perfect, but he has a strong passion for the game and the work ethic to refine his shooting stroke to the NBA level. YouTube channel ballislife filmed a documentary on Johnson’s love for the game and work ethic, and he has that contagious desire to get better everyday shared by our young core. While the “conventional” wisdom by scouts would be against drafting him with the fifth pick, I would be thrilled if the Magic drafted him.
The Risky Pick: Mario Hezonja
Super Mario has been helping out FC Barcelona immensely in their postseason despite the limited minutes he plays under their coach. He shoots the ball well, and the Magic need floor spacing. However, I do not think Hennigan will draft him due to potential character issues and not being able to work him out and interview him. When Hennigan drafts, he goes for players he has a chance to know personally. Based on how the Magic have drafted under his management, I do not see the team going for Hezonja unless the front office has indeed gotten a chance to know him personally. He definitely has All-Star and superstar potential, though. If his name is indeed called by the Magic on draft night, I have full faith that Hennigan and his team did their homework on him. While he might come off as overconfident, he is a gym rat and has the skills to back it up.
The Stretch Pick: Sam Dekker
Dekker is a player who was instrumental, along with Kaminsky, in putting an end to Kentucky’s undefeated run. He has clutch shooting range and seems to be a glue guy. If the Magic front office does not like their options at the number five slot, it is possible they trade down for this guy, while snatching an extra asset or two.
Tune in next week to see the final big board I have for the Magic two days before the draft.
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NBA
Magic Beat Raptors for Second Win in a Row
Published
3 years agoon
December 9, 2022By
Mike Brodsky
ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Orlando Magic (7-20) continued their winning ways against the Toronto Raptors (13-13), defeating them 113-109 , just two days after a come-from-behind overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers. This two game winning streak puts an end to the Magic’s previous nine game losing streak.
The Magic started strong, taking a 37-25 lead into the second quarter, led by 10 first quarter points from Franz Wagner. But the Raptors caught up to the Magic midway through the second quarter led by Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. But at halftime, the Magic held a slight lead, 67-63.
The Magic extended their lead to 94-87 with remarkably impressive scoring from Franz Wagner who added 14 points in the third quarter alone. In the fourth quarter, the Raptors tied it up 108-108 with about two minutes remaining after two free throws by OG Anunoby. Paolo Banchero made one of two subsequent free throws, and Moe Wagner drew the charge from Gary Trent Jr. to negate his two point basket. Fred Van Vleet later added a free throw to tie the game at 109-109. A Franz Wagner tip layup put the Magic up 111-109. A missed shot by Fred Van Vleet sealed the Raptors loss. Banchero’s two free throws put the Magic ahead 113-109 at the end of the game.
Franz Wagner led the scoring for the Magic with 34 points, while Paolo Banchero scored 23. Mo Bamba finished with 13 rebounds. Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz ended with 5 assists.
Several Magic players remain injured and were unable to play, including Wendell Carter Jr. (plantar fascia strain), Gary Harris (strained right hamstring), Chuma Okeke (left knee soreness), Jalen Suggs (right ankle soreness) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee recovery). Isaac has started his rehab program, playing in full contact 5 on 5 practice games with the Lakeland G League affiliate, and hopes to return to the court soon for Orlando.
The Magic face the Raptors at Amway once again on Sunday, 12/11 at 6:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
NBA
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic Beat Memphis Grizzlies 109-105 in Preseason Home Opener
Published
4 years agoon
October 11, 2022
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The Orlando Magic returned home to Amway Center to host the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night; the teams’ second match with each other this preseason. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley made a point to rotate many his key players through in just the first quarter. Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins also mentioned he would take a similar route in a pregame interview, saying he planned to run 11 players in Tuesday night’s game.
First Half
As anticipated, Orlando Magic first round draft pick Paolo Banchero got busy putting up points, leading in the first quarter with nine. Banchero continued to lead the Magic in scoring in the first half with 13 points while Franz Wagner led in rebounds with eight and Wendell Carter Jr. carried the weight in assists with six. Banchero also led in free throws at 100 percent, nailing all five.
Though the Magic led in the points, the truth is the Grizzlies actually made great shot opportunities for themselves, but many of the shots just didn’t land. Not for lack of trying: Ja Morant was 2 for 11 on field goals and clocked seven points, Dillon Brooks went 2 for 6 and clocked six points, and Desmond Bane, who led the Grizzlies with 17 points in the first half, went 6 for 9 on field goals.
The Magic led in points in the paint with 20 compared to the Grizzlies’ 18 and in second chance points with five to the Grizzlies’ two. Memphis did lead in fast break points, though, with 13 to Orlando’s eight.
For the Magic, Terrence Ross was second in scoring with eight points in the first half. Orlando’s other draft pick rookie, Caleb Houstan, contributed five points in the first half. Bol Bol humbly contributed two. Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr. and Franz Wagner each contributed seven points.
By halftime, the Magic had a seven-point lead, 54-47.
Second Half
Either the Grizzlies came alive in the second half or the Magic slowed down, but the Grizzlies were much more successful in scoring. Desmond Bane put up six more points in the third quarter as did Santi Aldama. Banchero and (Franz) Wagner maxed out at three additional points in the third. The Grizzlies closed the scoring gap and went into the fourth with only a six-point deficit, 77-71.
The Grizzlies clawed through the fourth quarter, narrowing Orlando’s lead to just one point with only four minutes left in the game. However, the Magic managed get more points on the board and widen the gap again by five points in the final two minutes. The rest of the game was a bit of a nail biter for Magic fans, seeing the lead shrink and grow between two and five points with fouls and free throws for Terrence Ross for the Magic and Ja Morant for the Grizzlies.
For the Magic, Wendell Carter Jr. topped in scoring with 18 points and 8 assists, with Paolo Banchero and Terrence Ross backing him up each with 17 points.
All in all, the Magic won 109-105. They have one more home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday, October 14 at 7pm ET, before getting back on the road.
____________________________________
Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News.
Orlando
Orlando Magic Sign Kevon Harris to Two-Way Contract
Published
4 years agoon
July 25, 2022By
Willie David
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Kevon Harris (KEE-von) to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.
Harris (6’6”, 216, 6/24/97) played in 24 games (23 starts) last season with Raptors 905 of the NBA G League, averaging 15.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 3.6 apg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 30.2 minpg. Most recently, he played and started in all five games with Minnesota during the NBA 2K23 Summer League 2022, averaging 15.8 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 27.1 minpg.
Not drafted by an NBA franchise, Harris has played in 31 career NBA G League regular season games (23 starts), all with Raptors 905, averaging 12.4 ppg., 4.7 rpg. and 2.9 apg. in 25.5 minpg.
Harris played in 127 career games (104 starts) during four seasons at Stephen F. Austin (2016-20), averaging 14.4 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 28.0 minpg., while shooting .397 (188-474) from three-point range. As a senior (2019-20), he played and started in 31 games, averaging 17.5 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 2.1 apg. and 1.52 stlpg. in 29.3 minpg., while shooting .413 (59-143) from three-point range. Harris was named First Team All-Southland Conference and the 2019-20 Southland Conference Player of the Year. He also earned Second Team All-Southland Conference twice (2017-18, 2018-19).
Harris will wear #7 with the Orlando Magic.
Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to have a maximum of two players under two-way contracts in addition to the players under standard NBA contracts. A two-way player is also eligible to provide services to Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic.
