Hooped Up

A team-by-team preview of all 30 NBA teams heading into the 2008 – 2009 season, Hooped Up style.   

Orlando Magic
Ron Jeremy Stan Van Gundy had this young club flying into the post season and made it to the second round only to lose to the more experienced Detroit Pistons.  They lost energy guard Keyon Doling and athletic Maurice Evans over the summer but gained underrated Mickael Pietrus from the witness protection program of the Golden State Warriors bench.  Plus the wise journeymen Anthony Johnson who is always a solid back up.

But will this be enough help for Superman and Co. to have the same post season success?

Projected Starters: PG - Jameer Nelson / SG - Mickael Pietrus / SF - Rashard Lewis / PF - Hedo Turkoglu / C -  Dwight Howard

Additions: Mickael Pietrus, Anthony Johnson, Dwayne Jones, Jeremy Richardson, Mike Wilks

Losses: Keyon Dooling, Maurice Evans, Carlos Arroyo, Pat Garrity, James Augustine

Projected Wins: 45+

Team Theme Song: Brand Nubian – All For One
They Magic will really have to ban together as a team to produce wins this season, it’s got to be “all for one and one for all”.

Overall
The Orlando Magic are kinda in no mans land, not really better but not worse either. Hedo Turkoglu has finally arrived, Rashard Lewis is no longer a secret and  Mickael Pietrus is finally getting the starting role he deserves.  We know that Dwight Howard will be a beast and will stack double-doubles like  Eddy Curry stacks Oreo’s but what about Jameer Nelson and J.J. Reddick?  

Can Jameer Nelson lead them at the point and can J.J.. Redick produce a pro game?