Magic News

Magic pick up option on Redick
0 Comment
October 7
Florida Today
 
"J.J. Redick, who has asked repeatedly to be traded away from the Orlando Magic so that he could seek more playing time elsewhere, had the option year on his contract picked up by the team on Tuesday. It means that Redick is under contract with the Magic at least through the 2009-10 season. The fact Redick is under contract for $2.1 million this season and $2.83 million next season could make him more attractive to another team in a potential trade. Redick played well in the Magic's preseason opener Monday night, scoring 12 points and hitting both of his attempts from 3-point range."
Dwight Howard defiant in Orlando Magic's defeat
0 Comment
October 7
Orlando Sentinel
 
"The spotlight in Monday night's first dress rehearsal was on the Orlando Magic's new faces such as Mickael Pietrus. Dwight Howard, however, just can't help overshadowing his teammates. Howard reminded everyone why he's an all-star, even in the Magic's 118-101 preseason loss to the Atlanta Hawks at Amway Arena. He looked in postseason form, recording eight blocks and taking seriously his training-camp vow to lead the NBA in rejections. While fans expect such feats from Howard (17 points and five rebounds), they likely were curious at what Pietrus would bring -- and it didn't take him long to impress in his debut. Try 57 seconds. Pietrus, acquired as a free agent to fill the starting ..."
Long wait over for Orlando's Tony Battie after a season on the sideline
0 Comment
October 7
Orlando Sentinel
 columnist David Whitley
"Tony Battie waited a year for this moment. Wouldn't you know? When it arrived, almost nobody noticed. He came off the bench Monday night the same time as J.J. Redick. The crowd went into its usual J.J. hosannas, and Battie went about his usual business. A blocked shot, a couple of rebounds, a lunge to save the ball from going out of bounds. It was the kind of stuff only a coach could appreciate. Or a player who'd spent the past year lunging mainly for the remote control on his TV. Relaxing in a customized La-Z-Boy may be a nice way to spend a weekend. You just don't want to spend your career there. "My feet would hang off the end and fall asleep," Battie said. It's not easy being 6-11 and ..."
Law scores 20 to lead Hawks in preseason opener
0 Comment
October 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"Any fears about Acie Law IV's readiness to run this Hawks team were eliminated here Monday night. Any other questions about his game, competitive nature or poker face were sufficiently answered as well. Law, expressionless for most of the first week of training camp, exploded onto the scene in the Hawks' 118-101 comeback win over the Orlando Magic in the preseason opener for both teams at Amway Arena. "I think this ought to be a serious confidence builder for Acie," Hawks captain Joe Johnson said. "Now he can relax and do the things that a point guard is supposed to do." Law played his role to perfection against the Magic. He came off the bench to help rescue the Hawks from a dismal ..."
Magic's Anthony Johnson vital at PG despite age
0 Comment
October 6
Orlando Sentinel
 
"If Anthony Johnson isn't celebrating his birthday in somebody's training camp, well, he knows his career is in jeopardy. "It's rough to celebrate my birthday with two-a-days, but I've gotten used to it," said Johnson, who turned 34 on Thursday. "I know if I'm practicing on my birthday, that it's a good sign." No one is suggesting Johnson is ancient enough to remember shooting at peach baskets, but he is the Orlando Magic's oldest player. He's also a vital piece, signed to a two-year $4.1 million deal to replace Keyon Dooling and Carlos Arroyo as the back-up point guard behind starter Jameer Nelson. Johnson is one of three new players expected to play tonight as the Magic open their ..."
PG Jameer Nelson ready for bigger role with Magic
0 Comment
October 5
Orlando Sentinel
 
"Everyone has acknowledged the obvious. Jameer Nelson is on the spot. His teammates feel it. "There's most definitely a lot on Jameer," forward Rashard Lewis said. His coach sees it. "Obviously," Coach Stan Van Gundy said, "the organization showed a great confidence in him with the contract extension." His critics, circling overhead, are feeding on it. "Nelson's contract says he's the man, but his play and his liabilities suggest that he would be best suited to a third-guard role," wrote Sports Illustrated's Steve Aschburner in a season preview. Four years into the countdown, the Orlando Magic's management is banking that it's finally time for Nelson to leave the launchpad on a solo ..."
Magic coach has tough choices at shooting guard
0 Comment
October 4
Florida Today
 
"Mickael Pietrus' defensive grit and $23 million contract make him the heavy favorite to start at shooting guard, but Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said he'll use the exhibition season to experiment with all four of his shooting guards. The Magic have an obvious logjam at the off-guard position with the additions of Pietrus and rookie Courtney Lee to go along with Keith Bogans and J.J. Redick. Pietrus was signed away from Golden State in free agency, while Lee was drafted with the No. 22 pick and has been impressive in training camp. Because the Magic have plenty of offense with center Dwight Howard, forwards Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu and point guard Jameer Nelson, they will be ..."
Magic relying on newcomer Pietrus for his defensive skills
0 Comment
October 2
Orlando Sentinel
 
"Center Dwight Howard walked past shooting guard Mickael Pietrus after Wednesday's scrimmage, pointed a menacing finger at him and growled in mock anger, "Not in my house." Howard had blocked one of Pietrus' drives, sending him sprawling to the floor. Pietrus couldn't help but laugh. He's as jovial and animated as Howard, still humbled by the fact he even made it to the NBA, much less the Orlando Magic. "This is still a dream for me," Pietrus said. He turns serious. "But I'd like to win a championship . . . for my mom," he said. "In her memory." It doesn't seem that long ago that he left the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe at 16 to follow his brother and play pro basketball in France, ..."
Howard improves offensive arsenal