Denton: Magic-Suns Postgame Analysis
By John Denton
November 4, 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.
ORLANDO – As absolutely astonishing as Tuesday night’s disaster in Detroit was for the Orlando Magic, Wednesday’s bounce-back offering should have come as no shock at all to those who follow the team closely.
The Magic are usually quite good, and especially good in situations like these when their pride has been bruised and their toes have been stepped on. They usually come back and play with something to prove – not only to the rest of the NBA, but also to themselves.
That was certainly the case for an ``embarrassed’’ Magic squad that was back on the court against the unbeaten Phoenix Suns less than 24 hours after a stinker of a loss to the Detroit Pistons. Orlando played well throughout, got contributions from up and down the lineup and throttled Phoenix 122-100 to rid themselves of some of the bad taste from the Detroit disaster.
``Until (Tuesday in Detroit), we hadn’t laid a real stinker out there. That was maybe as bad as we’ve played since I’ve been here,’’ Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. ``But I think our guys were embarrassed by it. They were determined to bounce back.’’
Bounce back they did, improving to 4-1 despite yet having their full complement of weapons on the floor yet. Orlando was once again without Vince Carter (sprained ankle) and Rashard Lewis (NBA suspension). But they did get back Mickael Pietrus (15 points, three 3-pointers) and, more importantly, they got back their shooting mojo (52.3 percent shooting, 12 3-pointers).
``We had a very bad game in Detroit, but as soon as that game was over we were in the locker room talking about what we needed to do to get back on track tonight,’’ Magic star Dwight Howard said. ``I think we did that Wednesday night).’’
The Magic get another crack at the shorthanded Pistons on Friday. But before we move ahead to the rematch, let’s break down the good, bad and ugly from the Phoenix romp:
THE GOOD
---- Two Magic players who struggled the most on Tuesday, Ryan Anderson and Jameer Nelson, were very good on Wednesday against the Suns.
Van Gundy said he was curious to see how the 21-year-old Anderson would bounce back from a bad night when he missed 10 of 11 tries from 3-point range. He didn’t shy away from those opportunities on Wednesday, making all three of his threes. He had 20 points and 10 rebounds, seven of which came off the offensive glass.
``I try to focus on the next game and tomorrow,’’ Anderson said. ``I think the NBA is a lot of highs and lows, highs and lows. I’m glad to redeem myself and even more glad that we got the win.’’
Nelson was forcing plays against the Pistons, but was back to being his efficient, attacking self on Wednesday. He scored 16 points and handed out 10 assists. Simply put, the Magic rarely lose when Nelson plays his best basketball.
---- Howard played through another frustrating first half of foul trouble and destroyed the Suns for 17 points in the third quarter. Time and again, he freed up the Magic guards with solid picks and then rolled to the hoop for easy baskets.
Howard was on the floor just 17 minutes on Tuesday and feared that he was in for the same kind of night on Wednesday after picking up three first-half fouls. But a short halftime chat with general manager Otis Smith helped Howard put aside his frustration and pick up his game in the second half.
``Otis told me that when I get frustrated other teams feed off of that. They’re going to hack me and flop around and I just can’t let that keep getting me frustrated,’’ said Howard, who had 25 points and six rebounds. ``I just have to find ways to play through it and stay on the floor.’’
---- The Magic got word early Wednesday morning that Pietrus wanted to play and would be available against the Suns. Pietrus missed the previous two games with a respiratory infection, but felt good enough to play on Wednesday following a shooting session at the team’s headquarters.
Pietrus, one of the Magic’s playoff heroes last spring, continued his torrid start to the season with another 15 points and three 3-pointers against the Suns. Said Pietrus: ``I came to the gym this morning for two hours and tried to learn my game again. I got myself ready.’’
THE BAD
---- Former Magic forward Grant Hill has played well in his previous returns to Orlando, but Wednesday was a disastrous night for the 37-year-old Hill. He missed all five of his shots and failed to score in 18 minutes.
Hill’s stamina had to be lacking after playing a night earlier in Phoenix’s victory in Miami. At his age and considering the major ankle and sports hernia injuries he’s been through, playing for long periods of time on consecutive nights is a struggle for the classy Hill.
``It’s tough on Grant on back-to-backs, but I never fault his effort or anything that he does. I’ll go to war with him every single night and most of the time we’re going to win.’’
---- Hill’s fellow wing mate, Jason Richardson, was no better Wednesday night. He missed all four of his shots and gave the Suns nothing other than four assists in 20 minutes. Factor in the loss of Leandro Barbosa (injured finger) and the lack of production from Hill and Richardson and it’s easy to see why the high-scoring Suns fell flat Wednesday in Orlando.
THE UGLY
---- Howard picked up his third technical foul of the season with 4:46 to play in the second quarter. Not only have the three technicals cost Howard $3,000 so far in salary, at this rate he could encounter problems down the line with a potential suspension.
NBA players are fined $1,000 for technicals one through five, $1,500 for technicals six through 10 and $2,000 for technicals 11 through 15. After 15 technical fouls, the player will be fined $2,500 and suspended a game for each additional technical foul.
Howard flirted with one-game suspensions last year in the regular season and postseason because of technical foul problems, but he managed to avoid those penalties with improved behavior.
---- Nelson, a native of Chester, Pa., near Philadelphia, had to look on after the Magic game as his Phillies lost 7-4 in Game 5 of the World Series to the champion Yankees. Nelson got to take batting practice with the Phillies earlier this season and hit a home run on his final swing. He has the bat on display in a trophy case at his house.
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 4, 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.
ORLANDO – As absolutely astonishing as Tuesday night’s disaster in Detroit was for the Orlando Magic, Wednesday’s bounce-back offering should have come as no shock at all to those who follow the team closely.
The Magic are usually quite good, and especially good in situations like these when their pride has been bruised and their toes have been stepped on. They usually come back and play with something to prove – not only to the rest of the NBA, but also to themselves.
That was certainly the case for an ``embarrassed’’ Magic squad that was back on the court against the unbeaten Phoenix Suns less than 24 hours after a stinker of a loss to the Detroit Pistons. Orlando played well throughout, got contributions from up and down the lineup and throttled Phoenix 122-100 to rid themselves of some of the bad taste from the Detroit disaster.
``Until (Tuesday in Detroit), we hadn’t laid a real stinker out there. That was maybe as bad as we’ve played since I’ve been here,’’ Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. ``But I think our guys were embarrassed by it. They were determined to bounce back.’’
Bounce back they did, improving to 4-1 despite yet having their full complement of weapons on the floor yet. Orlando was once again without Vince Carter (sprained ankle) and Rashard Lewis (NBA suspension). But they did get back Mickael Pietrus (15 points, three 3-pointers) and, more importantly, they got back their shooting mojo (52.3 percent shooting, 12 3-pointers).
``We had a very bad game in Detroit, but as soon as that game was over we were in the locker room talking about what we needed to do to get back on track tonight,’’ Magic star Dwight Howard said. ``I think we did that Wednesday night).’’
The Magic get another crack at the shorthanded Pistons on Friday. But before we move ahead to the rematch, let’s break down the good, bad and ugly from the Phoenix romp:
THE GOOD
---- Two Magic players who struggled the most on Tuesday, Ryan Anderson and Jameer Nelson, were very good on Wednesday against the Suns.
Van Gundy said he was curious to see how the 21-year-old Anderson would bounce back from a bad night when he missed 10 of 11 tries from 3-point range. He didn’t shy away from those opportunities on Wednesday, making all three of his threes. He had 20 points and 10 rebounds, seven of which came off the offensive glass.
``I try to focus on the next game and tomorrow,’’ Anderson said. ``I think the NBA is a lot of highs and lows, highs and lows. I’m glad to redeem myself and even more glad that we got the win.’’
Nelson was forcing plays against the Pistons, but was back to being his efficient, attacking self on Wednesday. He scored 16 points and handed out 10 assists. Simply put, the Magic rarely lose when Nelson plays his best basketball.
---- Howard played through another frustrating first half of foul trouble and destroyed the Suns for 17 points in the third quarter. Time and again, he freed up the Magic guards with solid picks and then rolled to the hoop for easy baskets.
Howard was on the floor just 17 minutes on Tuesday and feared that he was in for the same kind of night on Wednesday after picking up three first-half fouls. But a short halftime chat with general manager Otis Smith helped Howard put aside his frustration and pick up his game in the second half.
``Otis told me that when I get frustrated other teams feed off of that. They’re going to hack me and flop around and I just can’t let that keep getting me frustrated,’’ said Howard, who had 25 points and six rebounds. ``I just have to find ways to play through it and stay on the floor.’’
---- The Magic got word early Wednesday morning that Pietrus wanted to play and would be available against the Suns. Pietrus missed the previous two games with a respiratory infection, but felt good enough to play on Wednesday following a shooting session at the team’s headquarters.
Pietrus, one of the Magic’s playoff heroes last spring, continued his torrid start to the season with another 15 points and three 3-pointers against the Suns. Said Pietrus: ``I came to the gym this morning for two hours and tried to learn my game again. I got myself ready.’’
THE BAD
---- Former Magic forward Grant Hill has played well in his previous returns to Orlando, but Wednesday was a disastrous night for the 37-year-old Hill. He missed all five of his shots and failed to score in 18 minutes.
Hill’s stamina had to be lacking after playing a night earlier in Phoenix’s victory in Miami. At his age and considering the major ankle and sports hernia injuries he’s been through, playing for long periods of time on consecutive nights is a struggle for the classy Hill.
``It’s tough on Grant on back-to-backs, but I never fault his effort or anything that he does. I’ll go to war with him every single night and most of the time we’re going to win.’’
---- Hill’s fellow wing mate, Jason Richardson, was no better Wednesday night. He missed all four of his shots and gave the Suns nothing other than four assists in 20 minutes. Factor in the loss of Leandro Barbosa (injured finger) and the lack of production from Hill and Richardson and it’s easy to see why the high-scoring Suns fell flat Wednesday in Orlando.
THE UGLY
---- Howard picked up his third technical foul of the season with 4:46 to play in the second quarter. Not only have the three technicals cost Howard $3,000 so far in salary, at this rate he could encounter problems down the line with a potential suspension.
NBA players are fined $1,000 for technicals one through five, $1,500 for technicals six through 10 and $2,000 for technicals 11 through 15. After 15 technical fouls, the player will be fined $2,500 and suspended a game for each additional technical foul.
Howard flirted with one-game suspensions last year in the regular season and postseason because of technical foul problems, but he managed to avoid those penalties with improved behavior.
---- Nelson, a native of Chester, Pa., near Philadelphia, had to look on after the Magic game as his Phillies lost 7-4 in Game 5 of the World Series to the champion Yankees. Nelson got to take batting practice with the Phillies earlier this season and hit a home run on his final swing. He has the bat on display in a trophy case at his house.
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.
