Denton: Magic-Warriors Postgame Analysis
By John Denton
March 3, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
THE GOOD
---- Carter has shot the ball exceptionally well since suffering through a dismal game in Friday’s loss in New Orleans. He made seven of 11 shots on Wednesday for 15 points. He had a spectacular spinning move across the lane and the nifty left-handed bank shot as he was fouled by Golden State’s Stephen Curry.
In his last three games, Carter has made 21 of 34 shots and has seemed more willing to drive to the hoop and keep the pressure on the defense. He said Wednesday’s game was more about the Magic working on improving than it was Orlando facing an inferior team.
``I think it’s important, regardless of the team we’re playing, to work to improve,’’ Carter said. ``I think if you do the work and establish a lead, you still have to have the mentality to put a team away no matter what quarter it is. This wasn’t a cupcake game.’’
---- This had to come as a welcome sight to Magic fans, head coach Stan Van Gundy and Howard: The Magic’s center did not commit a foul on Wednesday night. It was the first time since last December in Phoenix when Howard played in a game without committing a foul, but he played just 22 minutes that night because of a balky knee. It was the first time since Jan. 25, 2008 when he played significant minutes without committing a foul.
``I that’s a world record,’’ Howard said. ``I think the guy from Guinness (World Records) was here tonight; it’s a world record for me. I’m really happy about that.’’
---- The Warriors are among the worst teams in the league, but here’s to the staying power of head coach Don Nelson. In his 46th season as a player, coach, general manager or consultant, Nelson has participated in more NBA games (3,429) than any person in league history.
Nelson, who has one more year left on his Warriors contract, is just seven victories away from becoming the all-time winningest coach in NBA history. In his 31 seasons as a NBA coach, he’s won 1,326 games. He is one of just two coaches to win the NBA’s Coach of the Year award three times (Pat Riley is the other).
THE BAD
---- Curry, Golden State’s baby-faced point guard, has been making a hard push to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award with a strong finish to the season.
But the rookie had little go right for him Wednesday night when he got several of his shots either blocked or changed by Howard. He missed eight of his first nine shots and made only three of 12 tries for the game.
Curry could only laugh in the second quarter when he scooped up a ball that had gone out of bounds and made a heave from 30 feet. Otherwise, it was a forgettable night for him.
``It’s just one of those days. You are going to have one of these every once in a while,’’ Curry said. ``I’m having a great time. This is what I wanted to do my entire life and to not only have a chance to be here, but play significant minutes it’s a dream come true for me.
``I have been around the game a lot following my dad (Dell Curry) and I had a good idea what the NBA would be like as a player. It’s just a matter of going through the day-to-day grind of the season and maintaining your body over the life of the season.’’
THE UGLY
---- The Warriors have been so beset by injuries this season that they once again dressed just eight players Wednesday night. Golden State lost starting forward Brandon Wright in training camp, and things just proceeded to get worse.
The Warriors entered Wednesday having lost 345 player games due to injury. The Warriors have dressed nine of fewer players 28 times now this season. They lead the league in time missed because of injury and have already shattered the mark set last season by the Washington Wizards.
Golden State was without Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette, Andris Biedrins, Raja Bell, Anthony Randolph, Vladimir Radmanovic and Wright on Wednesday night.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
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By John DentonMarch 3, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
THE GOOD
---- Carter has shot the ball exceptionally well since suffering through a dismal game in Friday’s loss in New Orleans. He made seven of 11 shots on Wednesday for 15 points. He had a spectacular spinning move across the lane and the nifty left-handed bank shot as he was fouled by Golden State’s Stephen Curry.
In his last three games, Carter has made 21 of 34 shots and has seemed more willing to drive to the hoop and keep the pressure on the defense. He said Wednesday’s game was more about the Magic working on improving than it was Orlando facing an inferior team.
``I think it’s important, regardless of the team we’re playing, to work to improve,’’ Carter said. ``I think if you do the work and establish a lead, you still have to have the mentality to put a team away no matter what quarter it is. This wasn’t a cupcake game.’’
---- This had to come as a welcome sight to Magic fans, head coach Stan Van Gundy and Howard: The Magic’s center did not commit a foul on Wednesday night. It was the first time since last December in Phoenix when Howard played in a game without committing a foul, but he played just 22 minutes that night because of a balky knee. It was the first time since Jan. 25, 2008 when he played significant minutes without committing a foul.
``I that’s a world record,’’ Howard said. ``I think the guy from Guinness (World Records) was here tonight; it’s a world record for me. I’m really happy about that.’’
---- The Warriors are among the worst teams in the league, but here’s to the staying power of head coach Don Nelson. In his 46th season as a player, coach, general manager or consultant, Nelson has participated in more NBA games (3,429) than any person in league history.
Nelson, who has one more year left on his Warriors contract, is just seven victories away from becoming the all-time winningest coach in NBA history. In his 31 seasons as a NBA coach, he’s won 1,326 games. He is one of just two coaches to win the NBA’s Coach of the Year award three times (Pat Riley is the other).
THE BAD
---- Curry, Golden State’s baby-faced point guard, has been making a hard push to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award with a strong finish to the season.
But the rookie had little go right for him Wednesday night when he got several of his shots either blocked or changed by Howard. He missed eight of his first nine shots and made only three of 12 tries for the game.
Curry could only laugh in the second quarter when he scooped up a ball that had gone out of bounds and made a heave from 30 feet. Otherwise, it was a forgettable night for him.
``It’s just one of those days. You are going to have one of these every once in a while,’’ Curry said. ``I’m having a great time. This is what I wanted to do my entire life and to not only have a chance to be here, but play significant minutes it’s a dream come true for me.
``I have been around the game a lot following my dad (Dell Curry) and I had a good idea what the NBA would be like as a player. It’s just a matter of going through the day-to-day grind of the season and maintaining your body over the life of the season.’’
THE UGLY
---- The Warriors have been so beset by injuries this season that they once again dressed just eight players Wednesday night. Golden State lost starting forward Brandon Wright in training camp, and things just proceeded to get worse.
The Warriors entered Wednesday having lost 345 player games due to injury. The Warriors have dressed nine of fewer players 28 times now this season. They lead the league in time missed because of injury and have already shattered the mark set last season by the Washington Wizards.
Golden State was without Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette, Andris Biedrins, Raja Bell, Anthony Randolph, Vladimir Radmanovic and Wright on Wednesday night.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
CLICK FOR THE FULL ARTICLE >>>
