SB Nation User Blog: Eyriq the Red

Bucks Diary: Top Centers in the NBA

Eyriq the Red — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 02:54:52 -0000

Bucks Diary: Top Centers in the NBA

Is Dwight Howard in the Best Center in the NBA? One blogger's numbers confirm that indeed he is. Surf the site for other juicy tidbits if you like, there is lots to see of interest to Magic fans.

The Magic Man in Orlando

Eyriq the Red — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:18:32 -0000

The Magic Man in Orlando

NOTE: From the FanShots. Thanks, EtR - Ben

Dr. Berri Wages in on the Orlando Magic. Some very interesting insights, and a recommended read.

Magic Draft Board V2

Eyriq the Red — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:28:24 -0000

Former Lottery Picks/Developing Players:

J.J. Redick SG; F. Vasquez F/C; M. Gortat C

Redick either needs to be given a chance to play or be traded. He fits in with what the Magic want to do offensively, just not defensively.Fran is struggling over in Spain and wants to come over. He has a power game that we need and the athleticism to really pay off, he needs to just come over already. Gortat has shown flashes and looks to be on the rise, most likely continuing in Foyle's role next year.

Magic Needs:

The Magic look to lose possibly seven players this off season, including 4 players from the back court. So really they need a lot of everything, and with the 22cd pick you are usually lucky to find a rotation player, so lets not be picky. That being said, the two positions I see the greatest need is at the 2 and the 4. Also, due to the style of play and what was lacking from those positions this year, I think a slasher at the 2 would be great, as well as a banger at the 4. So from that perspective, lets begin.

Draft Board 1-30

*These opinions are from both what I've read and seen. Enjoy!

Derrick Rose PG: No knock on Nelson, but thinking of Rose paired with Howard is too good to pass up.
Michael Beasley F: Is an inside/outside threat offensively with three point range that can defend two positions, rebound well, and really get up and down the court. Would be tremendous next to D12.
O.J. Mayo SG: Has great handles and is a prolific scorer. He would give the Magic the slasher they crave. Also plays great D. Has super star written all over him.
Brook Lopez C: Is an inside/outside threat with range out to 18 feet. Plays good D though not a dominant rebounder. That's ok, we have Dwight.
Eric Gordan SG: This guy can shoot, drive, and dish, though still needs to refine his skills a bit. Can create his own shot and create for others. Also plays good defense. Will be a star.
Anthony Randolph F: Is in inside/outside threat with range out to 15 feet. Very explosive, can rebound and block shots. Very quick and athletic.
Kevin Love C/F: This guy has crazy skills that would fit in perfect on this team. Great passer, great hands, great inside/outside game, high IQ. Lack of athleticism and mobility are the only concerns.
Darrell Arthur F: He is long and smooth and can block shots and rebound well. Also can defend both forward spots. Has an inside/outside game.
Kosta Koufos C: Has a good inside/outside game, long and good shot blocker and rebounder. Probably the best prospect for the 5 outside of Brook Lopez.
Marreese Speights C/F: The first and best banger on this board. Good back to the basket game. Is a terror on the glass and on defense.
DeAndre Jordan C: Explosive in the Dwight mold, rebounds and blocks shots with the best of them. His offense to this point is the dunk.
Nicolas Batum SG: Great defender, shooter, and finisher. Has a smooth game all around. Will be a star.
Russell Westbrook G: I really like him. He is quick and explosive, finishes well at the basket and has a good shot. Also defends well.
Jerryd Bayless G: Looks to be a lethal scorer with play making skills. Very quick and athletic, can get where ever he wants to on the court.
Danilo Gallinari SF: Looks to be a lot like Hedo Turkeglu, so nothing wrong with that. Can shoot and dribble with a point forward mindset. Should be a good player.
Chase Budinger SG: He is a big, explosive swingman that can shoot lights out and he rebounds the position well. His height, shooting, and rebounding make me think he would fit in great here, though he is not the slasher/creator type.
Chris Douglas-Roberts SG: He has really started to grow on me. His ability to handle the ball and get to the basket would be god send for this team at the 2 guard spot. Has a good shot but is more adept at creating off the dribble or finishing at the hoop.
D.J. Augustine PG: Really reminds me of another Nelson. Can be a great starter for a team in this league, as he shoots well and looks to get his teammates involved.
Donte Green F: Has a very, very sweet offensive game. Can rebound and really jump. While he can play both the 3 and 4, is probably better suited at the 3.
Bill Walker SG: He has handles and freakish athleticism, even after coming back from two torn ACL's. Shoots the ball extremely well. His upside is enough to warrant overlooking his injury history at this spot.
Brandon Rush SG: He is long and athletic and shoots the ball well. He can defend well and will fit in with the team as he does not look to take the game over.
Robin Lopez C/F: The next banger off the board, Robin is an excellent defender and rebounder. Struggles on offensive though.
J.J. Hickson PF: Good inside/outside game, plays good D and rebounds and blocks shots. Very athletic.
Richard Hendrix PF: Yet another banger. Good on the glass, plays D, and can rebound. Developing some range.
Joey Dorsey PF: A Ben Wallace clone? He is already there offensively...
Joe Alexander SF: Another point forward? He has all the skills to be one. Very athletic with a good touch around the rim and with the long ball. Terrific player.
Alexis Ajinca PF: Another soft yet skilled Euro big man? Has like a 7 foot 8 wingspan, which is sick. Can rebound, block shots, and shoot really well. He looked good when I saw him play.
Mario Chalmers PG: A even better back up to Nelson than Augustine? He can hit the three, defend, and run a team. Looked great in that final game, did he not?
Wayne Ellington SG: Can shoot lights out and get to the rim and finish. I think he is a gifted player and will be a sleeper in this draft.
JaVale McGee C/F: Plays facing the basket. Has long arms and good athleticism, and can rebound and block shots well.

Eyriq the Red's Magic Draft Board

Eyriq the Red — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:53:37 -0000

I am considering both team needs and BPA in structuring this board. Here are my team needs in order of highest need to lowest need.

1) A starting Shooting Guard. I pick a starter here over starter at Power Forward because I am more comfortable with Lewis at the 4 than Turk at the 2.

2) A starting Power Forward. See above^.

3) A starting Point Guard. Replacing Nelson is a very low priority and I only see one guy that could come in and challenge Jameer right away.

4) A starting Small Forward. This would force both Lewis and Hedo to play out of position. Do we really want that?

5) A backup Point Guard. Both Arroyo and Dooling are free agents, and Nelson has had health problems. I think we need some security here.

6) A backup Power Forward. Here a pick could be nurtured to eventually fill Battie’s shoes once his contract is up.

7) A backup at any other position. I think any guy we pick at positions like C, SF, and SG will have a hard time cracking the rotation this year or anytime soon.

Magic Draft Board 1-30

1. Michael Beasley: The best player in the draft fills an immediate need at the 4.

2. Derrick Rose: They say he is a small Lebron James. I’ll take it and move Nelson to the bench.

3. Brook Lopez: His descent range makes having him in with D12 an option. Probably a better version of the previous twin towers experiment.

4. O.J. Mayo: This sweet shooting guard shows he can play D too. Instant upgrade over Evans.

5. Eric Gordon: Again, here is a guy that could start right away, and what he lacks in D he makes up for in handles. Will need touches to be effective.

6. Russell Westbrook: Another combo guard like Gordon, with both the handles and scoring to take advantage of open lanes.

7. Kevin Love: Has a wide body with a great skill set. Would be able to start and fit in with D12 beautifully.

8. Anthony Randolph: Another big with the ability to shoot from 15. Also comes with freakish athleticism.

9. Kosta Koufos: Bit of a risk as a potential starter his rookie season but his skill set and size scream twin towers reborn.

10. Danilo Gallinari: A rookie version of Hedo is worth this spot…at least.

11. Jerryd Bayless: Would be in the rotation right away, though not at the 1. Not a good back court mate for Nelson either.

12. Donte Greene: More of a combo forward at this point, the guy can play. Could start at either the 3 or 4 spots for the Magic.

13. Tyler Hansbrough: Can the college player of the year please stand up!

14. Nicolas Batum: Great D and smooth game could translate big time in the NBA.

15. D.J. Augustin: One of the better point guards in college, he would make a great backup for Nelson.

16. Darren Collison: Again, another great point guard to play in a backup role for Nelson.

17. DeAndre Jordan: A Dwight clone, his skills are too good to have fallen any further. Only fits as a backup center though.

18. Darrell Arthur: Has great potential and could even jump in and start at the 4. Most likely a Battie replacement project though.

19. Marreese Speights: A strong body to give Dwight some help in the paint. Does not have the range that compliments Dwights game though.

20. Ty Lawson: There are a few more questions concerning him than the early guys taken, but still a solid pick.

21. Mario Chalmers: Plays great D and we’ve seen that he is not afraid to take the big shot.

22. Nick Calathes: Had a good year for Florida. Lacks some D but has great skill and potential.

23. Ryan Anderson: Has a great offensive game. Could actually be higher on this list if not for his lack of athleticism.

24. Robin Lopez: Not as good as his brother offensively, but great on D. Again, does not have the range to pair up with Dwight.

25. J. J. Hickson: Has athleticism and scoring to start at the 4, just not right away.

26. JaVale McGee: Ton of potential here, but still a project.

27. Serge Ibaka: Again, tons of potential but still a ways away.

28. Hasheem Thabeet: Looks like he could be a beast. We will see.

29. Roy Hibbert: See Thabeet.

30. Chris Douglas-Roberts: Love his game, but is he even an improvement over Redick? I doubt it.