SLSI

The Magic are in trouble this season.

First off Tyronn Lue is not really what you call a starting point guard. Sure he averages 13.9 points per game, but on any other team he would be a bench player and would play 20 to 25 minutes per game. Currently in Orlando, he plays 35 minutes per game, which is too much for him. Tyronn Lue is at his best on a veteran team in which he is not required to do much. Lue a starter? NO. Lue a solid bench player? YES.

McGrady is a very solid player, however, he is not someone that can really lead a team, especially in a losing environment. When your leading player, and captain, tells reporters that he will retire at the end of the season because his team is playing poorly, then that “leading” player is no longer a leader, and a very poor teammate at best.

Next, you have Gordan Giricek in the starting lineup, probably my favourite player of all Magic players. Last season with the Magic, he averaged 14.3 points per game in around 34 minutes per game. This year his minutes have gone down to 28 minutes per game, and his point average to 10.4. Giricek was one of the injured players to start the season, and should start playing and scoring more once he is back to 100 percent. He has a very pure touch from the outside, and is a very nice addition to this team. Along with his nice shooting touch, Giricek can also drive to the bucket.

Juwan Howard has been a deep disappointment for the Magic this season. After signing with the Magic to play centre and compliment Drew Gooden, Howard has found himself overwhelmed with the starting job. Shooting only .401 from the field and only 13.8 points in the paint, Howard has found himself now sharing the job at the power forward position with Drew Gooden. When the Magic signed Howard they expected a 20 point per game guy, who could also get them 10 boards per game, and a guy who would be the second scoring option to Tracy McGrady. They expected too much.

Lastly, we have Drew Gooden. Two words for this guy. Over Rated. Last year, in 28.6 minutes per game, he averaged 13.6 points per game, and shooting .498 from the field. Now, welcome to 2003-2004: averaging only 11.5 points per game, in an increase of 34.3 minutes per game, and shooting a mere .397 from the field. Again, two words for Drew Gooden this season. Over Rated.

If the Magic are to have any chance to succeed this season, the likes of Drew Gooden, Juwan Howard, and Gordan Giricek have to pick up the slack and start producing. Tracy McGrady is not a leader, especially not one in a non-winning environment. One of these other guys on the Magic needs to say enough is enough, show some leadership, and start to have a bigger role in the games.

If this doesn’t happen then the Magic are in trouble this season.

-SLSI-