Magic Mailbag: Denton Answers Questions
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By John Denton
August 18, 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.
ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have a new starting small forward (Quentin Richardson) and a new backup point guard (Chris Duhon), but remarkably those moves don’t qualify as the biggest additions to the Southeastern Division this summer.
Seems as though the Miami Heat have a heartbeat again. And not a moment too soon after taking the better part of the past four seasons off while the Magic became the dominant team in the Sunshine State.
With LeBron James and Chris Bosh added to the mix, Orlando and Miami now have the potential to be the NBA’s best rivalry what with their proximity and powerhouse rosters. Finally, both are good at the same time and the result could be some of the most drama-filled basketball the state of Florida has seen since Magic exec Pat Williams used to jab South Florida with his array of colorful one-liners.
It’s Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter and the NBA’s deepest bench against Dwyane Wade, James, Bosh and the rest of Miami’s Pips. Anybody who doesn’t think that’s going to be great has obviously been riding around in Heat forward Udonis Haslem’s clouded car.
It should make for fantastic theater, and I think I speak as a basketball-first fan in this football crazed state that training camp, the exhibition season and the real games can’t get here soon enough!!!
With that in mind, we’re launching our first mailbag today looking ahead to next season. Keep in mind that the first Magic-Heat showdown comes Oct. 22 in preseason action over in Tampa, meaning it’s never too soon for the trash talk to begin. So onto the questions …
QUESTION: I can’t believe that Magic rumors are starting about (Carmelo Anthony)!!! Who do you think we would have to trade and do you think it can happen? – Rickie H, West Virginia
ANSWER: First, let me say that I am absolutely shocked that Carmelo Anthony didn’t sign that three-year, $65 million contract extension with the Nuggets. With a potential lockout looming that could dramatically restructure max contracts in the NBA, Anthony was foolish to not re-up at incredible money.
But like with Bosh and James,stars know they can still get their money and win big too. Maybe, just maybe, Anthony has realized that there’s a ceiling in Denver and the Nuggets will never get past the Lakers in the West.
After seeing what transpired in Miami this summer, of course anything can happen in the NBA. But acquiring superstars isn’t easy and to get one you usually must pay a heavy price.
For example, for the Magic to pull off a blockbuster and acquire Anthony it would also mean they likely would have to assume other undesirable contracts. Losing Melo would mean Denver would be starting over, so the Nuggets might also be looking to unload Chauncey Billups ($27.3 million still owed), Nene ($22.9 million still owed) or Kenyon Martin ($16.5 million still owed).
The Magic could trade Vince Carter ($17.3 million) straight up for Anthony ($17.1 million), but it assuredly wouldn’t be that easy. While Orlando holds the team option on the final year of Carter’s contract, few know that there is a $4 million penalty that Carter will get if a team buys him out. Orlando would likely have to throw $3 million (the most allowed by NBA rules) into any trade to make the transaction work.
And for all of his flash, Anthony does have his flaws. He’s an incredible scorer, but he would be taking more shots away from Dwight Howard. And defense and rebounding are but rumors with Anthony. If the Magic could land him without sacrificing too much it would be a no-brainer. But trades of this magnitude are rarely that easy.
QUESTION: Hey JD! What do you think the mentality is of the Magic players now that everyone is practically handing over a championship to the Heat? Think our guys are (bothered) by Miami’s ``Three Mi-Egos’’ and the hype they are getting. – Thomas Barnes, Satellite Beach
ANSWER: First, I applaud the Miami Heat for what they did this summer, stacking the deck with three elite players. Just when you think Pat Riley is about to fade into irrelevancy, he re-invents himself and his team. (His next act: Head coach, for a fifth time).
And for all of the shots that LeBron James has taken I give him credit for going to a place where he can potentially win a championship. He was never going to do that in Cleveland, and I give James credit for having to guts to leave his hometown in order to try and win. Whether or not he can win championships, more than MVP trophies, will cement his legacy. Now, to your question: I think Miami’s moves have absolutely lit a fire under players all around the NBA, and more specifically ones in Orlando. Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Redick and others have already pointed out that every summer drill and track session is done with Miami in mind. It’s absolutely on this season between the Magic and the Heat. Those four regular-season games will be emotionally charged and likely tune-ups for the Eastern Conference Finals. One more thought to consider: Orlando’s two strongest positions (center with Dwight Howard and point guard with Nelson) are Miami’s two weakest spots. At the end of the day, Miami will still be stuck using Joel Anthony against Howard and Mario Chalmers against Nelson. That could be just enough of an advantage for the Magic to nullify Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and James.
QUESTION: Yo JD!!! J.J. Redick was already my favorite Magic player and then he took it to another level in the playoffs when he played so well and hit all of those big shots. I really think he should have started ahead of Vince Carter in the Boston series, but that’s just my biased opinion. What do you see J.J.’s role being this season? Lorenzo Bova, Rock Hill, S.C.
ANSWER: Well, first off his role will be that of a husband to Chelsea, whom he married in late June. I talked to J.J. from Spain just after he finalized his contract with the Magic in July and he sounded like a man who was amazed at his great fortune with a lovely bride, a new NBA contract and a likely expanding role with the Magic.
Chicago had every intention of making Redick a starter when it offered a front-loaded contract offer sheet in early July. It speaks volumes to the improvements that Redick has made in his four seasons in Orlando, going from bench player to a core piece.
Redick showed tons of guts and poise in the playoffs, picking up a Magic team that needed him to play well in the postseason. His role grew in the playoffs and it could get even more prominent.
To win a championship, the Magic still need to get big-time contributions from Carter. But he’s not the player he was earlier in his career, and that should provide even more of an opening for Redick to seize more playing time.
And part of me wonders if by season’s end if Redick could be the starter and Carter could be the reserve. That’s not the plan for now, but it certainly could happen this time around.
QUESTION: Hey JD. I think I speak for all Magic fans when I say that I’m still crushed that we didn’t get Chris Paul this summer. He could have been the player to put us over the top and shut up all of that noise coming out of Miami. Please tell me there’s still a chance we can bring CP3 to Orlando for our first true point guard since Scott Skiles. – Larry Fitzpatrick, Lakeland
ANSWER: I understand Magic fans’ desires to have Paul because he is unquestionably one of the five best point guards in the NBA. (Although I’m not totally convinced that I wouldn’t rather have Deron Williams). Any team in the league would undoubtedly jump at the chance to add Paul to the roster.
One factor that most fans don’t take into account is that to get Paul a team would have to take on the bloated contract of Emeka Okafor, who is still due $53 million over the next four seasons.
If Paul had truly been available – and I don’t think New Orleans ever considered moving its franchise player – the Magic or the Knicks might have been willing to take on Okafor’s obscene payday to get the Isiah Thomas of this day and age. To his credit, Paul is not only a great player, but also a killer who will do anything to win.
But I’m still of the belief that the Magic don’t necessarily need Paul to win a championship because – like Magic GM Otis Smith – I’m firmly in the corner of Jameer Nelson. Orlando didn’t have a better, gutsier player in the postseason than Nelson. He made big shots, converted tough drives and fought like a 7-footer instead of a smallish 6-footer in that failed Boston series.
I still say this to anyone who will listen: Dwight is the heart of the Magic and Jameer is the soul. He is the most respected player on the team and his word rules in the locker room.
Paul will likely be available again when the Hornets tank by January, but I wouldn’t count on Smith turning his back on Nelson even if Paul is there for the taking. Sorry Magic fans, but you already have an all-star point guard.
QUESTION: Hey JD. I’m hoping to make it back to Orlando this season to see another Magic game – this time in the new building. I’m hoping to jump all over some tix for the Lakers game. Gimme your sneak peek at the new Amway Center because the pictures online look amazing. Better than Staples Center? – Ryan Tolliver, Carson, Calif.
ANSWER: I’ve been fortunate enough to have four tours of the $380 million facility and fans won’t be able to fully comprehend the awesomeness of this arena until they see it with their own eyes.
Some of the raw numbers give a hint of just how impressive the joint will be: 875,000 square feet, 18,500 seats for Magic games, up to 20,000 seats for other events, seven levels, 56 suites, 1,428 club seats, four concourses, 27 restrooms, three retail stores and one concession point of sale for every 150 spectators.
A couple of games in this jaw-dropping building and Magic fans will fully realize how inadequate Amway Arena was the last few years. The Magic has arguably the best product in the NBA on the floor, so it’s only fitting that fans in this area also have the best venue in North America.
Season tickets will soon cap out at 15,000, so if fans want to get into the opener – the toughest sports ticket in Central Florida history – they had better scoop them up soon.
QUESTION: Hey J.D.!!! Matt Barnes was a bad dude for us last season and I’m still not ever the fact that we let him go over the summer. He was gritty and gave us some swag against people like Kobe, refusing to back down. How much are we going to miss Matty Barnes? – Larry Clouse, Orlando
ANSWER: I was a big fan last season of Barnes, who showed a gritiness and a willingness to stand up to Kobe Bryant, James and Wade. The Magic needed a take-no-bull type of player like Barnes, and it’s understandable why Magic fans quick took a liking to Barnes.
But here’s what has to make Magic fans even happier: Quentin Richardson is an upgrade over Barnes. Face it, Barnes got destroyed by Paul Pierce in the Eastern Conference Finals and the Celtics didn’t even guard him when Orlando had the ball.
Richardson isn’t as rangy or as long as Barnes, but he is stronger and equally willing to fight foes. (See his mini-brawl with Kevin Garnett and him hilariously referring to Pierce and Garnett as ``actresses.’’). And as one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters for years, Richardson will be a huge offensive upgrade over Barnes. Q can’t wait to shoot for a Magic team that just last season set the all-time NBA record for 3-pointers made in a season.
In time, Magic fans will realize that Richardson is the better player in this offseason swap.
Well, that’s all the time and words that we have today. Thanks so much to for the questions and please keep them coming. Training camp is less than six weeks away and quite frankly it can’t get here soon enough for one of the most anticipated NBA seasons in history.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. Submit questions to John’s weekly Question-and-Answer pieces by writing to John at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
August 18, 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.
ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have a new starting small forward (Quentin Richardson) and a new backup point guard (Chris Duhon), but remarkably those moves don’t qualify as the biggest additions to the Southeastern Division this summer.
Seems as though the Miami Heat have a heartbeat again. And not a moment too soon after taking the better part of the past four seasons off while the Magic became the dominant team in the Sunshine State.
With LeBron James and Chris Bosh added to the mix, Orlando and Miami now have the potential to be the NBA’s best rivalry what with their proximity and powerhouse rosters. Finally, both are good at the same time and the result could be some of the most drama-filled basketball the state of Florida has seen since Magic exec Pat Williams used to jab South Florida with his array of colorful one-liners.
It’s Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter and the NBA’s deepest bench against Dwyane Wade, James, Bosh and the rest of Miami’s Pips. Anybody who doesn’t think that’s going to be great has obviously been riding around in Heat forward Udonis Haslem’s clouded car.
It should make for fantastic theater, and I think I speak as a basketball-first fan in this football crazed state that training camp, the exhibition season and the real games can’t get here soon enough!!!
With that in mind, we’re launching our first mailbag today looking ahead to next season. Keep in mind that the first Magic-Heat showdown comes Oct. 22 in preseason action over in Tampa, meaning it’s never too soon for the trash talk to begin. So onto the questions …
QUESTION: I can’t believe that Magic rumors are starting about (Carmelo Anthony)!!! Who do you think we would have to trade and do you think it can happen? – Rickie H, West Virginia
ANSWER: First, let me say that I am absolutely shocked that Carmelo Anthony didn’t sign that three-year, $65 million contract extension with the Nuggets. With a potential lockout looming that could dramatically restructure max contracts in the NBA, Anthony was foolish to not re-up at incredible money.
But like with Bosh and James,stars know they can still get their money and win big too. Maybe, just maybe, Anthony has realized that there’s a ceiling in Denver and the Nuggets will never get past the Lakers in the West.
After seeing what transpired in Miami this summer, of course anything can happen in the NBA. But acquiring superstars isn’t easy and to get one you usually must pay a heavy price.
For example, for the Magic to pull off a blockbuster and acquire Anthony it would also mean they likely would have to assume other undesirable contracts. Losing Melo would mean Denver would be starting over, so the Nuggets might also be looking to unload Chauncey Billups ($27.3 million still owed), Nene ($22.9 million still owed) or Kenyon Martin ($16.5 million still owed).
The Magic could trade Vince Carter ($17.3 million) straight up for Anthony ($17.1 million), but it assuredly wouldn’t be that easy. While Orlando holds the team option on the final year of Carter’s contract, few know that there is a $4 million penalty that Carter will get if a team buys him out. Orlando would likely have to throw $3 million (the most allowed by NBA rules) into any trade to make the transaction work.
And for all of his flash, Anthony does have his flaws. He’s an incredible scorer, but he would be taking more shots away from Dwight Howard. And defense and rebounding are but rumors with Anthony. If the Magic could land him without sacrificing too much it would be a no-brainer. But trades of this magnitude are rarely that easy.
QUESTION: Hey JD! What do you think the mentality is of the Magic players now that everyone is practically handing over a championship to the Heat? Think our guys are (bothered) by Miami’s ``Three Mi-Egos’’ and the hype they are getting. – Thomas Barnes, Satellite Beach
ANSWER: First, I applaud the Miami Heat for what they did this summer, stacking the deck with three elite players. Just when you think Pat Riley is about to fade into irrelevancy, he re-invents himself and his team. (His next act: Head coach, for a fifth time).
And for all of the shots that LeBron James has taken I give him credit for going to a place where he can potentially win a championship. He was never going to do that in Cleveland, and I give James credit for having to guts to leave his hometown in order to try and win. Whether or not he can win championships, more than MVP trophies, will cement his legacy. Now, to your question: I think Miami’s moves have absolutely lit a fire under players all around the NBA, and more specifically ones in Orlando. Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Redick and others have already pointed out that every summer drill and track session is done with Miami in mind. It’s absolutely on this season between the Magic and the Heat. Those four regular-season games will be emotionally charged and likely tune-ups for the Eastern Conference Finals. One more thought to consider: Orlando’s two strongest positions (center with Dwight Howard and point guard with Nelson) are Miami’s two weakest spots. At the end of the day, Miami will still be stuck using Joel Anthony against Howard and Mario Chalmers against Nelson. That could be just enough of an advantage for the Magic to nullify Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and James.
QUESTION: Yo JD!!! J.J. Redick was already my favorite Magic player and then he took it to another level in the playoffs when he played so well and hit all of those big shots. I really think he should have started ahead of Vince Carter in the Boston series, but that’s just my biased opinion. What do you see J.J.’s role being this season? Lorenzo Bova, Rock Hill, S.C.
ANSWER: Well, first off his role will be that of a husband to Chelsea, whom he married in late June. I talked to J.J. from Spain just after he finalized his contract with the Magic in July and he sounded like a man who was amazed at his great fortune with a lovely bride, a new NBA contract and a likely expanding role with the Magic.
Chicago had every intention of making Redick a starter when it offered a front-loaded contract offer sheet in early July. It speaks volumes to the improvements that Redick has made in his four seasons in Orlando, going from bench player to a core piece.
Redick showed tons of guts and poise in the playoffs, picking up a Magic team that needed him to play well in the postseason. His role grew in the playoffs and it could get even more prominent.
To win a championship, the Magic still need to get big-time contributions from Carter. But he’s not the player he was earlier in his career, and that should provide even more of an opening for Redick to seize more playing time.
And part of me wonders if by season’s end if Redick could be the starter and Carter could be the reserve. That’s not the plan for now, but it certainly could happen this time around.
QUESTION: Hey JD. I think I speak for all Magic fans when I say that I’m still crushed that we didn’t get Chris Paul this summer. He could have been the player to put us over the top and shut up all of that noise coming out of Miami. Please tell me there’s still a chance we can bring CP3 to Orlando for our first true point guard since Scott Skiles. – Larry Fitzpatrick, Lakeland
ANSWER: I understand Magic fans’ desires to have Paul because he is unquestionably one of the five best point guards in the NBA. (Although I’m not totally convinced that I wouldn’t rather have Deron Williams). Any team in the league would undoubtedly jump at the chance to add Paul to the roster.
One factor that most fans don’t take into account is that to get Paul a team would have to take on the bloated contract of Emeka Okafor, who is still due $53 million over the next four seasons.
If Paul had truly been available – and I don’t think New Orleans ever considered moving its franchise player – the Magic or the Knicks might have been willing to take on Okafor’s obscene payday to get the Isiah Thomas of this day and age. To his credit, Paul is not only a great player, but also a killer who will do anything to win.
But I’m still of the belief that the Magic don’t necessarily need Paul to win a championship because – like Magic GM Otis Smith – I’m firmly in the corner of Jameer Nelson. Orlando didn’t have a better, gutsier player in the postseason than Nelson. He made big shots, converted tough drives and fought like a 7-footer instead of a smallish 6-footer in that failed Boston series.
I still say this to anyone who will listen: Dwight is the heart of the Magic and Jameer is the soul. He is the most respected player on the team and his word rules in the locker room.
Paul will likely be available again when the Hornets tank by January, but I wouldn’t count on Smith turning his back on Nelson even if Paul is there for the taking. Sorry Magic fans, but you already have an all-star point guard.
QUESTION: Hey JD. I’m hoping to make it back to Orlando this season to see another Magic game – this time in the new building. I’m hoping to jump all over some tix for the Lakers game. Gimme your sneak peek at the new Amway Center because the pictures online look amazing. Better than Staples Center? – Ryan Tolliver, Carson, Calif.
ANSWER: I’ve been fortunate enough to have four tours of the $380 million facility and fans won’t be able to fully comprehend the awesomeness of this arena until they see it with their own eyes.
Some of the raw numbers give a hint of just how impressive the joint will be: 875,000 square feet, 18,500 seats for Magic games, up to 20,000 seats for other events, seven levels, 56 suites, 1,428 club seats, four concourses, 27 restrooms, three retail stores and one concession point of sale for every 150 spectators.
A couple of games in this jaw-dropping building and Magic fans will fully realize how inadequate Amway Arena was the last few years. The Magic has arguably the best product in the NBA on the floor, so it’s only fitting that fans in this area also have the best venue in North America.
Season tickets will soon cap out at 15,000, so if fans want to get into the opener – the toughest sports ticket in Central Florida history – they had better scoop them up soon.
QUESTION: Hey J.D.!!! Matt Barnes was a bad dude for us last season and I’m still not ever the fact that we let him go over the summer. He was gritty and gave us some swag against people like Kobe, refusing to back down. How much are we going to miss Matty Barnes? – Larry Clouse, Orlando
ANSWER: I was a big fan last season of Barnes, who showed a gritiness and a willingness to stand up to Kobe Bryant, James and Wade. The Magic needed a take-no-bull type of player like Barnes, and it’s understandable why Magic fans quick took a liking to Barnes.
But here’s what has to make Magic fans even happier: Quentin Richardson is an upgrade over Barnes. Face it, Barnes got destroyed by Paul Pierce in the Eastern Conference Finals and the Celtics didn’t even guard him when Orlando had the ball.
Richardson isn’t as rangy or as long as Barnes, but he is stronger and equally willing to fight foes. (See his mini-brawl with Kevin Garnett and him hilariously referring to Pierce and Garnett as ``actresses.’’). And as one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters for years, Richardson will be a huge offensive upgrade over Barnes. Q can’t wait to shoot for a Magic team that just last season set the all-time NBA record for 3-pointers made in a season.
In time, Magic fans will realize that Richardson is the better player in this offseason swap.
Well, that’s all the time and words that we have today. Thanks so much to for the questions and please keep them coming. Training camp is less than six weeks away and quite frankly it can’t get here soon enough for one of the most anticipated NBA seasons in history.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. Submit questions to John’s weekly Question-and-Answer pieces by writing to John at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
