Denton: Magic-Celtics Notes
By John Denton
November 20, 2009
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.
BOSTON – On the one hand, veteran Orlando Magic reserve Anthony Johnson is upset about the knee injury to fellow point guard and close friend, Jameer Nelson. But on the other hand, it has afforded Johnson his first chance in months to play meaningful minutes.
Johnson, who played in 80 regular-season games last season, was understandably hurt when he was bumped from the Magic’s rotation last spring just before the NBA Finals. And before it was determined that Nelson needed surgery to repair torn meniscus in his left knee – which is expected to keep him out four to six weeks – Johnson had played just four games in mostly mop-up duty. But on Wednesday he did have nine points and four assists in 19 minutes, his first significant playing time in months.
``It felt really good being back out there again and I just really wanted to play well,’’ said Johnson, Orlando’s oldest player at 35 years old. ``I’ve been playing this game for 13 years and I still feel good about what I can do for a team. I have a goal of playing 15 years and have decided that regardless of what happens I’m going to stay professional and keep a good attitude.’’
DOC’S TAKE: Boston coach Doc Rivers said he doesn’t believe for one second that Orlando’s Stan Van Gundy plans to change his coaching style, and Rivers said he shouldn’t think that he has to.
When Magic center Dwight Howard suggested that Van Gundy had become too negative in his critiques of the Magic, Van Gundy vowed that in the future he’ll focus on being more constructive instead of berating.
But Rivers, Orlando’s coach from 1999-2003, isn’t buying it.
``I don’t believe it,’’ Rivers said with a chuckle. ``I think his coaching style is just fine. Why would he ever change when he was in the Finals last year? I always say I will (change) and then I go back to who I am. The bottom line is you’re not going to please everyone.’’
Then, as Rivers was telling a story about how he only has problems with players when their agendas don’t matchup, the coach’s press conference was interrupted by veteran power forward Rasheed Wallace. Wallace was upset that Rivers’ pre-game session with the media was blocking the hallway.
``On this team it’s the opposite than with the Magic,’’ Rivers joked. ``I have to go to Rasheed and ask if he can be calmer and nicer instead of it being the other way around.’’
JAMEER UPDATE: Johnson, one of Nelson’s closest friends, has been communicating with the Magic’s starting point guard since Wednesday’s arthroscopic surgery to repair torn meniscus. He said Nelson came through the procedure just fine and has been in good spirits.
``I’ve been texting with him and he’s doing pretty good right now all things considered,’’ Johnson said. ``I’ve been messing with him, telling him to keep his weight down while he’s out and telling him that’s why he hurt his knee.
``I told him to stay away from the Twinkies and enjoy the show from home.’’
Magic veteran center Adonal Foyle also had an arthroscopic procedure on his knee, but he was given a six-to-eight-week recovery window because his surgery also involved repairing cartilage. Nelson has a chance of returning sooner than projected because his surgery involved less structural work.
MAGIC CHANGES: Count Rivers among those who was happy to see Hedo Turkoglu leave the Magic in the offseason via free agency. After all, it was Turkoglu who torched the Celtics for 25 points, 12 assists and five rebounds in Game 7 of the playoff series between Orlando and Boston last spring. Orlando won that Game 7 101-82 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Turkoglu signed a five-year, $53 million contract with the Toronto Raptors. But Rivers said the Magic did well under the circumstances, trading for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson and signing Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes, Jason Williams and retaining Marcin Gortat.
``They felt they were going to lose Turkoglu and instead of waiting until they lost him like most franchises do and end up with nothing, they were proactive,’’ Rivers said. ``That’s a smart move. One move leads to another move and another move. I think they did an extraordinary job of getting back what they got after losing Turkoglu. That’s a helluva summer for them.’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonNovember 20, 2009
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.
BOSTON – On the one hand, veteran Orlando Magic reserve Anthony Johnson is upset about the knee injury to fellow point guard and close friend, Jameer Nelson. But on the other hand, it has afforded Johnson his first chance in months to play meaningful minutes.
Johnson, who played in 80 regular-season games last season, was understandably hurt when he was bumped from the Magic’s rotation last spring just before the NBA Finals. And before it was determined that Nelson needed surgery to repair torn meniscus in his left knee – which is expected to keep him out four to six weeks – Johnson had played just four games in mostly mop-up duty. But on Wednesday he did have nine points and four assists in 19 minutes, his first significant playing time in months.
``It felt really good being back out there again and I just really wanted to play well,’’ said Johnson, Orlando’s oldest player at 35 years old. ``I’ve been playing this game for 13 years and I still feel good about what I can do for a team. I have a goal of playing 15 years and have decided that regardless of what happens I’m going to stay professional and keep a good attitude.’’
DOC’S TAKE: Boston coach Doc Rivers said he doesn’t believe for one second that Orlando’s Stan Van Gundy plans to change his coaching style, and Rivers said he shouldn’t think that he has to.
When Magic center Dwight Howard suggested that Van Gundy had become too negative in his critiques of the Magic, Van Gundy vowed that in the future he’ll focus on being more constructive instead of berating.
But Rivers, Orlando’s coach from 1999-2003, isn’t buying it.
``I don’t believe it,’’ Rivers said with a chuckle. ``I think his coaching style is just fine. Why would he ever change when he was in the Finals last year? I always say I will (change) and then I go back to who I am. The bottom line is you’re not going to please everyone.’’
Then, as Rivers was telling a story about how he only has problems with players when their agendas don’t matchup, the coach’s press conference was interrupted by veteran power forward Rasheed Wallace. Wallace was upset that Rivers’ pre-game session with the media was blocking the hallway.
``On this team it’s the opposite than with the Magic,’’ Rivers joked. ``I have to go to Rasheed and ask if he can be calmer and nicer instead of it being the other way around.’’
JAMEER UPDATE: Johnson, one of Nelson’s closest friends, has been communicating with the Magic’s starting point guard since Wednesday’s arthroscopic surgery to repair torn meniscus. He said Nelson came through the procedure just fine and has been in good spirits.
``I’ve been texting with him and he’s doing pretty good right now all things considered,’’ Johnson said. ``I’ve been messing with him, telling him to keep his weight down while he’s out and telling him that’s why he hurt his knee.
``I told him to stay away from the Twinkies and enjoy the show from home.’’
Magic veteran center Adonal Foyle also had an arthroscopic procedure on his knee, but he was given a six-to-eight-week recovery window because his surgery also involved repairing cartilage. Nelson has a chance of returning sooner than projected because his surgery involved less structural work.
MAGIC CHANGES: Count Rivers among those who was happy to see Hedo Turkoglu leave the Magic in the offseason via free agency. After all, it was Turkoglu who torched the Celtics for 25 points, 12 assists and five rebounds in Game 7 of the playoff series between Orlando and Boston last spring. Orlando won that Game 7 101-82 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Turkoglu signed a five-year, $53 million contract with the Toronto Raptors. But Rivers said the Magic did well under the circumstances, trading for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson and signing Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes, Jason Williams and retaining Marcin Gortat.
``They felt they were going to lose Turkoglu and instead of waiting until they lost him like most franchises do and end up with nothing, they were proactive,’’ Rivers said. ``That’s a smart move. One move leads to another move and another move. I think they did an extraordinary job of getting back what they got after losing Turkoglu. That’s a helluva summer for them.’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
