Post-Season Awards Letter to the Media
Dear Member of the Media:
As you begin to cast ballots for postseason awards and/or make selections for your respective outlets, please consider the following Orlando Magic candidates.
- Orlando Magic Media Relations
Mike Miller, Rookie of the Year
Starting in place of an injured Grant Hill, Mike Miller has raised his scoring average each month of the season (from 8.8 ppg. in November to 16.6 ppg. this past month). Named NBA Rookie of the Month for February, Miller is one of only three rookies to average double-figures in points, is the only rookie to appear in every game for his respective team and the only 2000 Top 10 draft pick involved in a playoff race. He has made 50-plus more three-pointers than the second ranking rookie in trifectas, has scored in double-figures 45 times and is Orlando's third-leading scorer behind Tracy McGrady and Darrell Armstrong.
Miller Month-By-Month
Nov. - 8.8 ppg...Dec. - 6.0 ppg...Jan.- 11.3 ppg...Feb.-15.6 ppg...Mar.-16.6 ppg.
Tracy McGrady, Most Improved Player, All-NBA Team, MVP
Tracy McGrady, the NBA's Player of the Month in February, will end the regular season with the highest single-season scoring average in NBA history for players that were 21-years-old or younger. McGrady has raised his scoring average by nearly 12 points a game from last season and went from sometime starter to All-Star starter. He has scored in double-figures 68 times, scored 20-plus points 56 times, 30-or-more 23 times and 40-or-more four times. He has led the Magic in scoring a team-high 51 times, in rebounding 33 times and in assists 22 times.
Doc Rivers, Coach of the Year
Head Coach Doc Rivers has once again shown his magic in 2000-2001. Despite having eight new faces, having the third youngest team in the NBA (avg. age 26.8 years) and losing to injury six-time All-Star Grant Hill, Rivers has led Orlando to postseason play. Orlando enjoyed a nine game winning streak from Jan. 30-Feb. 18 which tied the franchise record, has won 60 percent of its games since the All-Star break and won 10 of it last 18 on the road. Orlando is the only team in the league to win twice at Philadelphia. As a team, Orlando ranks in the Top 5 in the NBA in scoring, forcing turnovers and field goal percentage defense.
John Gabriel, Executive of the Year
Last year (June 14, 1999 to Aug. 15, 2000), Magic General Manager John Gabriel made 55 transactions involving 51 players to gain salary cap flexibility, while also recruiting 1999-2000 NBA Coach of the Year, Doc Rivers. This season's tally? Gabriel signed two of the league's premier free agents in Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill, while drafting Rookie of the Year candidate Mike Miller. The results? A run to the playoffs, while also having as many as nine first round draft picks over the next five years.
