Denton's Dish: Sunday Recap vs. Spurs

Josh Cohen
Digital News Manager

``That was a special feeling. It makes you think about the time you spent with those guys,’’ Vaughn said. ``You think back on what basketball is about and for me it was that right there. They know that I care for them. I’m trying to get our (Magic) players into a position where they understand how much I care about them. So tonight was pretty special.’’ Some 90 minutes before Sunday’s game, Popovich spoke glowingly about the prospects of new Magic GM Rob Hennigan and Vaughn – both products of the San Antonio system. The Magic have five staffers with ties to the Spurs, and Popovich is flattered that the Magic held the Spurs’ franchise in such high regard when restructuring its organization. ``What it means is that (Spurs GM) RC (Buford) and I have spent a lot of time trying to hire people who would make the program as good as it possibly could be,’’ Popovich said, referring to Hennigan and Vaughn. ``No matter what organization you are in, having good people is what it’s all about. I have coaches on my staff now, if I left tomorrow, I think they’d remember me for a day-and-a-half and then it would be over. We’ve been really fortunate hiring good people.’’ Vaughn and Head Athletic Trainer Keon Wise made the decision to hold out Afflalo, who has yet to play in a preseason game because of a strained hamstring. Afflalo targeted Sunday for a return, but the decision was made to not play him until Wednesday’s game in Memphis. That will give Afflalo, acquired in August from Denver, Monday and Tuesday to scrimmage before hitting the floor for his first game action with the Magic. Vaughn gave a night off to veteran small forward Hedo Turkoglu, who suffered some back spasms in the second half of Friday’s win against Indiana. That afforded another starting opportunity to rookie DeQuan Jones, who has impressed the coaching staff with his athleticism and willingness to do dirty work for the team. The Magic play in Memphis on Wednesday and then close the preseason Friday at home against the Houston Rockets. Orlando opens the regular season on Nov. 2 at the Amway Center against the Denver Nuggets. Nicholson, the Magic’s first-round draft pick in June, showed off his continual progress throughout the preseason by scoring at will at times in the second half, one in which the Magic pushed their lead to as much as 16 points. Nicholson was aggressive and attacking in the post, making hook shots with both hands. Vaughn raved about his willingness to stay after practice and improve himself and it’s paying off now. ``It’s been helping working on my game and understanding (the NBA) more,’’ said Nicholson, a man usually of few words. ``I’m staying and watching tape and listening to the veterans, who have been helping me through it.’’ The Magic led 50-41 at the half thanks to some balanced scoring and more stellar passing from Redick. The Magic shooting guard came into Sunday averaging 5.5 assists a game and he had another three assists in the first half. His final one of the first half was a thing of beauty as he drove the lane and dished to rookie Nicholson, who dunked with authority despite being fouled by San Antonio’s Tony Parker. Moore played well behind Nelson, scoring 12 points and handing our four assists in the first half. Moore, who played in Boston last season, made five of his seven shots and two 3-pointers in the first half as the Magic moved the ball well to create open shots. Nelson, the only Magic player ever to make a NBA all-star team as Davis pointed out, said he couldn’t be happier with how Orlando has embraced Vaughn’s free-flowing offense. Nelson said the chemistry has grown tremendously throughout the preseason and the Magic are seeing now how they have to play to win this season. ``Nobody really care who gets the shots on this team and that’s a good thing,’’ said Nelson, who had 12 points and five assists. ``For the most part, everybody on the team is touching the ball. It feels good when everybody is touching it – whether they shoot or not – but it makes them feel involved. On this team, it’s not like you are out there in left field and the ball never gets hit to you. We share the ball and it feels good.’’ John Denton writes for OrlandoMagic.com. John has covered the Magic since 1997. E-mail John at jdenton@orlandomagic.com or follow him on Twitter at @JohnDenton555. ORLANDOMAGIC.COM FEATURES: Time for Davis to ShineRaised Expectations for AfflaloFirst Practice Filled With Energy & Enthusiasm | Roster Breakdown | Magic Not Accepting Term 'Rebuilding' | Ten Burning Questions 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.

 

 

 

Follow John Denton on Twitter here