WDBO Sports Director Scott Anez has seen, or listened to, every Orlando Magic game ever played! A local boy who graduated from Lake Brantley High School and UCF, Scott began his career by covering the Magic's inaugural season in 1989 and he is known as the Voice of the Magic Fan in Orlando. This is Scott's 18th season hosting AM 580 WDBO's Inside Magic, the highest rated sports talk show in Orlando. He also serves as Broadcast Host for the Orlando Magic Radio Network. Scott shares his unique take on what's happening at Two Magic Place and beyond with ANEZ SEZ. Read more of Scott's previous blogs at the Anez Sez archive or at http://580wdbo.com.
Posted by Scott Anez, Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 8:30 AM
We Gotta Get Hedo Right
Don't look now--but the playoffs begin in a little over a month.
That means that we've got 18 games to continue to build a head of steam with the chemistry on this Magic team.
We've also got 18 games to get Hedo Turkoglu on the straight and narrow.
Hedo, when right, is one of the most versatile players in the NBA. There's not a whole lot he can't do on the offensive side of the court.
But, lately, Turk's game has been downright offensive.
With the clock winding down and the Magic trailing by four to Portland on Monday night, Turk got the ball--with his feet and shoulders squared--outside the three point arc. It was a perfect look to, at the very least, make the Blazers sweat a little bit. But, instead of hoisting from distance, Hedo passed up the open three and swung the ball to Earl Clark in the corner. Game over.
That play kinda sums up how Turk has been playing lately.
His numbers back it up.
In March so far, Hedo is has averaged just 4.5 points on paltry .292 shooting.
Over the last ten games, he's averaging 8.4 points per game.
Double figure scoring has been a chore for Turk lately--he's compiled just two double figure games in the last nine.
And...Hedo is shooting a career-low nine shots per 36 minutes.
Turk's too good--too versatile--too explosive to play the way he's playing recently. Frankly, he's been downright passive, disengaged and seemingly disinterested.
Remember, this is the same guy who, right after we reacquired him back on December 18, showed that the 'forgotten years' in both Toronto and Phoenix were fluky. Turk recorded a third career triple double on Jan. 3 vs. Golden State. Hedo also had 13 points and a career-high 17 assists vs. Dallas on Jan. 8.
I realize that Hedo has been dinged up a little lately. His elbow has been aching. So has his back. Those injuries may have something to do with the recent sub-par play.
But, if the Orlando Magic are gonna make a deep run into the NBA Playoffs next month, we've got to get Hedo Turkoglu right in a hurry.
Anez Sez is solely the opinion of Scott Anez and does not reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA.
READ MORE FROM ANEZ>>>
