SB Nation User Blog: erivera7

2009 Orlando Pro Summer League, Day 4

erivera7 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:53:50 -0000

More photos » by Bill Kostroun - AP

"I'm a guy who likes to get in the gym a lot. I don't like to give my coaches a lot of excuses to why I'm not this or I'm not that so I think, I've always been an underdog guy my whole career. I'm finally in a spot where a team really wants me and needs me. Last year in New Jersey, I'm a rookie so they don't know what to expect from me but here they do and it's exciting. It's a winning team, so I'm real excited to be a part of it."

-- Ryan Anderson, Orlando Magic

Ben Q. Rock and I are covering the 2009 Orlando Pro Summer League at the RDV SportsPlex, this week. For the next few days, we'll be watching the Magic play, as well as check out the other teams in the event. Ben will recap the Orlando games and provide his usual insights, as he always does. Meanwhile, I will chat with various coaches, front office personnel, players, and others, gathering their thoughts on a variety of topics. I'm proud to kick off Day 4 of our coverage .. beginning, right now.

I was able to speak with James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Ryan Anderson.

Click after the jump for the full transcript.

James Harden

You were able to play a little bit of point during the fourth quarter of the game, is that something the Oklahoma City Thunder would like to utilize you in during the season?

I'm not sure. Whatever coach wants me to do ... play point guard for a few minutes, I'll do that. The guys played pretty well today, we shot the ball pretty well. We did a great job on the defensive end and overall it was a good game.

Is there certain things in your game that you want to work on specifically in the Summer League?

My defense. I'm not really concerned about my offense, right now. You see that I scored 15 points today, I think, so I'm not really concerned about my offense, it's just my defensive principles and I want to lock them down on the defensive end.

Do you think you have any pressure coming into the season, given that you were a top 3 pick in the NBA Draft?

No, not at all. We have a great group of guys. It's not about me, it's a team thing. If we're winning and having fun out there and we're playing together, the pressure ... I won't feel it at all.

How do you feel being able to play with a great nucleus of young players, like Kevin Durant, B.J. Mullens, Russell Westbrook, and others?

We can all grow together. It's just great being out here. Russell is a great point guard, he did a tremendous job as well today, I think he had 9 assists so he's playing well. Our chemistry is going to keep growing throughout the Summer League so I hope we can carry it over to the season.

How do you think Mullens played, today? He looked really active on the offensive end and the defensive end.

That's what we need from him. He can shoot the ball pretty well. On the defensive end, I think he wants to get better on the defensive end this summer as well, trying to guard those bigger guys and those stronger guys so I think on the offensive end, he did a good job as well.

How do you think the Thunder will try to use you offensively during the season? It's clear that your shooting is good.

I'm not sure, yet. Without Kevin being here, it's kind of hard to kind of find out, just trying to stabilize my defensive mentality right now and when everybody comes together on the offense, then I'll pick my poison as far as what my role is on the offensive end.

How would you rate your defense, so far?

It's been pretty good. I've gotten my hands on a few balls, just helping my teammates out, learning how to help, and then recover to my guy for a shooter so it's like I said, it's a learning experience and I have to get better at.

Are you excited to play in the NBA? It's a dream for almost anybody.

I'm excited. I'm happy. It's a great experience, just to play against these guys who are in the NBA and some who are trying to get there who are going to get there, so it's just a great, humbling experience and I'm looking forward to the season.

Is there anybody in particular in the NBA that you try to model your game after? Is there anyone you try to emulate?

Not really. I watch a lot of basketball in the NBA. I just try to take certain moves or different things from certain guys and incorporate it into my game but I don't think I just watch anybody.

Ryan Anderson

Could you describe how it was playing in a game like that [against the Utah Jazz], where it seemed like everything was going your team's way in the first half and then it was the opposite in the second half?

As a team, that's going to happen some games. You're not going to able to hit every shot. Of course, they tighten up their defense definitely in the second half. We were up by 20 or something in the second half, so that happens in some games. It's tough but that's the way the NBA goes. These guys are so talented, they're going to knock down shots. Guys who maybe weren't hitting shots in the first half, were definitely hitting in the second half.

Was it a little frustrating dealing with all those fouls called? I know that you had eight or nine fouls called in the game [because players don't foul out in Summer League games].

Man, yeah. Once again, that's what happens ... sometimes, even the refs can change the momentum of the game. You can't completely blame it on the refs. We didn't D up in the stretch, they were hitting some tough shots, and yeah ... they played really good in the second half.

I know you said a few days ago that you are a big fan of Patrick Ewing. Could you describe his coaching so far in the Summer League?

Pat is a real technical guy. He really wants us to know the plays, he wants us to know the other team's plays, and of course, he played for many years in the NBA so his lessons, his teachings, really helps me especially as a post player so yeah, it's really good to hear advice from a guy like Patrick Ewing.

Do you think it's invaluable to have player-to-player interaction with a coach like him?

Of course. I mean, not that you don't have the respect level for coaches that maybe haven't played. You know they've gone through the same thing as you. They know how hard it is, how hard you're working. They know when you're confused about something because they got the feel of the game, they've gone through the same things themselves so I think it's really helpful to have a coach that has played in the NBA like Patrick Ewing, especially an All-Star guy like Patrick Ewing. He's taught us a lot.

This is going to be your second year in the NBA. Could you talk about your transition going from college to the NBA? What are some things you've had to do to transition yourself?

Stay confident, man. That's really what it's all about. It's a mental game as much as a physical game. There were times last year when I wasn't playing at all and of course, in college I'm used to playing mostly the entire game. It really messes with your head, so you just have to keep working hard, keep playing, training really hard, especially during the summer time, I'm really trying to get my game a lot better. Especially coming to a new team, so that the adjustment is real easy and quick.

I'm a guy who likes to get in the gym a lot. I don't like to give my coaches a lot of excuses to why I'm not this or I'm not that so I think, I've always been an underdog guy my whole career. I'm finally in a spot where a team really wants me and needs me. Last year in New Jersey, I'm a rookie so they don't know what to expect from me but here they do and it's exciting. It's a winning team, so I'm real excited to be a part of it.

Stay tuned for Ben's recap of the Magic v. Jazz game.

Orlando Magic News for July 9th: Otis Smith Making And Mulling Moves; A Look At Data Samples

erivera7 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:13:22 -0000

Magic sit tight as free agents cash in around the NBA
Brian Schmitz provides the latest information on whether or not general manager Otis Smith will decide to match Marcin Gortat's offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks. He has seven days to decide.

Because Gortat is a restricted free agent, the Magic can match the Mavs' mid-level offer and will have seven days to do so.

Smith has said he won't pay that much to employ a backup center. He will wait and use Gortat's deal as leverage with other free agents. The Magic could threaten to retain Gortat, whose contract would severely drain the small pool of luxury-taxed money they have available for players.

The Magic could match and trade Gortat to receive compensation this season. They would have to wait 90 days from the start of the season to deal him -- hoping that he stays healthy until December -- but that doesn't appear to be on Smith's agenda.

"It's doable," Smith said. "But right now I'm still thinking the other way [not to match]."
Hedo Turkoglu, Orando Magic, trade exception
Here's the update on what the Orlando Magic will do with the trade exception it acquired as a result of a four-team, multi-player sign-and-trade.

The Magic likely will use the exception during the season. They are not expected to use it in potential sign-and-trades for free agents because they would have to trade a player in the deal and they have only eight on their current roster.
Nichols and Dime: How the Shooting Abilities of Point Guards Affect Offenses
Jon Nichols of Hardwood Paroxysm runs an excellent data sample to examine whether or not a point guard's ability to shoot the three is a key skill. Nichols provides a chart, and states his opinion after looking at the results.

It appears as though the ability of your team’s point guard to shoot the three well is very important. Overall, the difference is more than three points per 100 possessions. Similarly, if your point guard struggles with his outside shot, your offense will struggle.
Two words: Jameer Nelson.
The Not-So-Instant Impact of 1st Overall Picks
Neil Paine of Basketball-Reference takes a historical look at how the #1 pick in the lottery era fared vs. the top players from the year before over the following 3 seasons. For Magic fans, take note of Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber, and Dwight Howard. The results are interesting but not surprising.

As fans, we like to think holding the #1 pick in the draft is the key to an instant turnaround, pointing to examples like the Spurs in ‘98 with Tim Duncan, the Cavs with LeBron James, and even the Magic last year with Dwight Howard. However, recent history shows that if given the choice between a proven veteran and a talented rookie for the next 3 years, the vet will give you better production, and it’s not really a close contest. 67% of the time during the lottery era, you’d actually be better off with a veteran who had ranked between #26 & #30 in the league the previous season than you would with the #1 overall pick over the next 3 years. Only in the case of a select few first picks (LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Chris Webber, Shaquille O’Neal) would it have been a good idea to trade their first 3 seasons straight-up for the next 3 seasons of a player who ranked between 6-10 the year before, and for zero #1 picks would it have been advisable to trade a Top-5 talent from the prior season.
Four-way trade puts Dallas Mavericks back in West's elite
UPDATE: John Hollinger of ESPN.com chimes in on Orlando's trade.
Looking at the 2009 free-agent class
UPDATE 2: Chad Ford of ESPN.com lists the top free agents available.

2009 Orlando Pro Summer League, Day 3

erivera7 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:42:46 -0000

More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP

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"I think, especially Otis, he understands ... he's an ex-player so he understands my situation. Playing here maybe 10 to 15 minutes a game and getting playing time over there [in Dallas] maybe 30 minutes a game or 40 minutes a game is definitely a different thing so he understands from a player's standpoint, I have a good opportunity to just improve my game and show what I can to. I hope the fans understand everything, too. If I'm going to Dallas, I'll never forget about the Orlando fans. Here I grew up as a basketball player and I improved my game and I got to experience a lot of things, going to the Finals, and playing with the best big man in the world [Dwight Howard], so I hope they understand. "

-- Marcin Gortat, Orlando Magic

I was able to speak with ESPN.com's & Scout Inc's David Thorpe, Marcin Gortat, former Orlando Magic head coach and current Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, and Marreese Speights of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Click after the jump for the full transcript.

David Thorpe

Could you comment on Russell Robinson and talk about his game?

I think that he's one of those guys that, minor league kind of player, that's trying to move to the next level and he's going to have an easier time actually getting in the NBA, ironically, than getting into Europe because he's not a scorer. In Europe, typically they'll bring in Americans to score. Well, they do everything ... score included. He, to me, plays kind of like a Jacque Vaughn-type, another Kansas guy. I really liked what I saw, though. I just thought his energy, what he was doing, very crisp floor general, scored when he needed to, and I thought he defended and moved the ball great, so that's his game I guess. I've talked to some scouts, who have seen him play during the year in the D-League, and they said he keeps getting better. As a third-string point guard for someone next year, it's possible the way he played. The odds are always long when you're not drafted and you're coming in from the minor leagues.

How would you rate his jumper, right now?

I thought it looked good. He's not looking for it, that's the thing. In these Summer Leagues, it's even harder for a guy like him because he's not playing off Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and [Hedo] Turkoglu ... he's got Ryan Anderson, and that's about it. Jeremy [Richardson], a little bit, too, so he's got to try to score more and kind of turn some heads. The reality is that his game fits as a back-up point guard in the league because he does defend, and because he does play with energy, and if he can play without turning the ball over and get a team in their offense, he's got a chance.

Let's say he signs with the Orlando Magic, how would he fit with the team?

He plays like an old player, like an Anthony Johnson, in that he is the floor general. He's not trying to make things happen for himself, he's trying to make plays for others. The difference is, veterans like Anthony Johnson, can go get buckets and I don't know if Russell can. Anthony, coming off the bench, can score and he's done it many, many times. Russell is ten years from being able to do that, probably, and it's just not in his personality so that's what makes it hard is you have the veterans who play just like Russell, not try to force the issue, but those guys can also get buckets and I don't know if Russell can.

How would you rate Ryan Anderson's game right now and who would you compare him to?

I called him Rashard Lewis-lite. I don't mean that by the color of his skin. He's just not as good as Rashard Lewis and probably won't ever be as good as Rashard Lewis but to me, what makes Lewis unique in the league is his ability to shoot the ball with his size and can make plays when you chase him off the [three-point] line. I think a lot of guys can really shoot the three and have size, but when you chase them off the line, they really become far less effective.

I think Lewis is still a very effective player ... he's not a guy that blows by you and dunks on you all the time or anything, but I thought in the playoffs, especially, you saw a guy that can score on one or two dribbles without dunking the ball. He can wrap you in and score in the post, which is something he really did well in Game 6 against Philadelphia [76ers] in the second half, he got himself into the paint and scored so I think Anderson is similar. I think ... he really loves to drive, he definitely doesn't just want to shoot threes, but that's what he's best at. But he also rebounds and makes plays in the paint on both ends and fights.

I liked him coming out of college and I think that sometimes teams want to bring in a backup that plays much differently than their starter. To me, he's going to be able to backup the 4 and kind of give you what Rashard gives you, just not as good.

I was at the press conference when Vince Carter was introduced to the Magic and Stan Van Gundy stated the reason he liked Ryan Anderson is because he brings the same skill-set, as you said, like Rashard Lewis. He felt like last year, when he subbed out Lewis, he didn't have that guy that could really spread the floor at the 4 so he felt like having Anderson on the team would be something that both parties benefit from.

Yeah, in the playoffs, when they brought in [Tony] Battie or even [Marcin] Gortat sometimes when they went really big, especially in the Finals, they just didn't guard those guys. You got to guard Ryan because he can really shoot. To play him with Dwight is a good fit and I think that he tries to rebound ... I'm not sure he'll be a very good rebounder in the NBA level, but when you play next to Dwight, it's not so important because he gets almost every rebound.

I think that Ryan is fortunate, because I think he's going to a really good spot for him. I also think his coach [Stan Van Gundy] is as good as there is in the league in figuring out how to take advantage of his talents. Ryan is going to have a very good year next year because his coach is going to figure out how to help him.

What is Anderson's ceiling, as a player?

I think he can be a starter in the league. He won't be in Orlando unless Rashard gets hurt. I think that his ceiling is a starting, face-up 4. He has to be with a monster 5, whether it's Yao Ming, who's injured right now, or Amare [Stoudemire] potentially ... guys like that, you play him where he was with Brook Lopez. He's a nice floor spreader, who like I said ... if he just could spread the floor and that was it, I wouldn't project him as a starter but the fact he can actually make some plays when he's not shooting threes, I think it gives him a chance to be a starter. It just won't be for a while because they got a pretty good 4 already [Rashard Lewis] and they're paying him pretty well, too.

Marcin Gortat

Are you excited to go back to Poland?

I'm excited but I'm not excited going back to Poland in that kind of situation where I don't know where I'm going to play, yet. It's kind of hard because every day it's going to be the same question, 'where are you going to play?' ... and I don't know the answer, so it's kind of hard to go in that kind of situation but I'm happy I'm going back to Poland.

If you were to leave the Magic, it seems that you and Otis Smith are leaving on good terms. What do you think?

I think, especially Otis, he understands ... he's an ex-player so he understands my situation. Playing here maybe 10 to 15 minutes a game and getting playing time over there [in Dallas] maybe 30 minutes a game or 40 minutes a game is definitely a different thing so he understands from a player's standpoint, I have a good opportunity to just improve my game and show what I can to. I hope the fans understand will everything, too. If I'm going to Dallas, I'll never forget about the Orlando fans. Here I grew up as a basketball player and I improved my game and I got to experience a lot of things, going to the Finals, and playing with the best big man in the world [Dwight Howard], so I hope they understand.

Are you going to get accustomed, if you were to go to the Dallas Mavericks, having Mark Cuban at all the games? Everyone knows that he's very involved as an owner and very into it with his players.

Yeah, he is into all the stuff and I mean, that will be good. If you got the main guy trying to help you out, then obviously he's big into talking with the referees ... he's going to help the team and he's going to help you, so that's good. That's awesome.

Is that very important to you, to be with an ownership that's committed to winning?

Oh, of course. If the main guy is trying to win, then you just got to do it. The guys ... he's just trying to win, he's trying to build the team to win, and you just got to help him because he's giving you this huge opportunity so you just got to use it.

Doc Rivers

If Rasheed Wallace weren't to start, how many minutes do you think he'll see each night during the regular season?

Oh, I don't know. I really don't, yet. I just want to see how his body looks. No more than 25 minutes. I hope they all play 20 minutes a night all year, that'd be terrific, but that's not going to happen so I don't know.

Are you going to make a concerted effort to pace your team, considering the NBA season is grueling and long?

It is a long season, but we kind of know our guys so I don't know Rasheed, yet, as far as that way so that'll be something I find out as the year goes on but I think we've done a pretty good job of pacing them, as long as we don't have injuries, then all that stuff goes out the window.

How's Kevin [Garnett] looking?

He looks great. I saw him last week and the first thing I told him is that it's good to see that he can walk normal again and talk more. He's definitely louder and happier, so Kevin is back.

Do you think Rasheed's and Kevin's personalities will mesh well, given that they're both intense competitors?

Yeah, I think that anybody's personality will be able to fit if they're there for the right reasons and I think everyone on our team ,,, they're there for the right reasons. I never thought, personally, personalities are that difficult to mesh when everybody's is trying to win one thing and I think they're very difficult to mesh when everybody have their own agenda.

If Grant Hill were to sign with the Celtics, do you think it'll be nice to be able to interact with him again since both your times with the Magic?

Well, it'd be nice to interact with any free agent so anybody out there, we'll interact ... there's no doubt, Obviously Grant and I have a relationship ... hell, I didn't see him play a whole bunch. I was with him a long time but I just know the character and I know who he is, and I think he'd be a good fit of any team trying to win a title. Any team that is trying to win a title right now, Grant Hill is going to help you.

Marreese Speights

I know it's a bit different for you since you're sharing a team with the New Jersey Nets. How's that been going for you?

It's been going pretty good to play with a different team. It's the first time I ever did it but it's a pretty good experience.

How do you like the play of your teammate, Jrue Holiday, so far?

He's young, but he's getting better and better every game with confidence. He'll be good by the time the season comes.

What certain things in your game are you trying to work on in the Summer League?

Just trying to be a little tougher down low, making more post moves and just play harder down low.

What do you think your new head coach, Eddie Jordan, will be able to bring to the table?

He should be able to bring a lot to the table as a coach. There's a lot but he's been a pretty good coach in the NBA, so he should be good.

Stay tuned for Ben's recap of the Magic v. 76ers/Nets game.

Orlando Magic News for July 8th: Thoughts From the Summer League; Marcin Gortat's Price Tag

erivera7 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:21:24 -0000

Ryan Anderson No Longer Overlooked in Summer League
Tim Potvak of NBA FanHouse recaps Ryan Anderson's performance in the Summer League against the Boston Celtics, yesterday ..

Vince Carter: We're Still the Favorites
.. and shares what Vince Carter Dwight Howard had to say about free agency, where the team stands amongst the Eastern Conference, and more.

"In Otis we trust,'' Howard said Tuesday. "He won't do anything to mess up the chemistry we had. We still believe we're the team.''
Marcin Gortat could cost the Dallas Mavericks $33,953,200 long term
.. that's the money the Polish Hammer will net with the Mavs, considering they grant him the maximum 8% raise each season and if he signs the offer sheet.
Free Agency 2009: The Power Forwards
Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus has been breaking down the available free agents in the NBA by position for the past few days. Today, he examines the power forwards. I suggest bookmarking this information.

If you're looking to go deep as the NBA enters free agency for the 2009 off-season, Basketball Prospectus is your place. Starting last week and continuing this week, we will rank the top 20 free agents at each position, looking not only at the stars but also at the role players who will help fill out benches across the league. Players have been arranged into tiers that generally reflect their overall value in a vacuum, regardless of team need.
UPDATE: 3QC member malars was kind enough to post links to various interviews on NBA TV's website, including Anderson, Carter, and Howard.
NBA Will Feel Pains of Financial Meltdown a Year Late
UPDATE 2: Tom Ziller of NBA FanHouse breaks down the financial outlook for the NBA this season and next season. Take note, Orlando Magic fans.

Along with the official 2009-10 salary cap numbers the NBA released Tuesday night, the league sent a memo to all 30 teams. Marc Stein of ESPN.com got ahold of it. The memo tells of a dark summer of 2010, in which the salary cap and luxury tax threshold for 2010-11 will fall dramatically.

The memo projects a salary cap of $50-53 million for 2010-11, and tax threshold of $61-65 million. The cap number is some $5-8 million lower than the level it stood at for 2008-09, and the tax line is $5-9 million lower. This is not just a problem for players, who will be eligible for lower maximum salaries, lower mid-level exceptions and a generally tighter talent marketplace. It's absolute doom for teams, even if all 30 franchises put a lock on their bank vaults today.
The Silver Lining of the Salary Cap Cloud
UPDATE 3: Henry Abbott of TrueHoop chimes in on the salary issue, as well.

2009 Orlando Pro Summer League, Day 2

erivera7 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:43:46 -0000

More photos » by Stan Honda - AP

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"Yeah, definitely. I think it's the most important for me is to get playing time and just keep improving. Being around the guys in Dallas or Orlando is going to definitely help me to become a better basketball player. Competing against Dwight [Howard] or Dirk Nowitzki is going to definitely put me in the spot where I'm going to play against the best guys in the league. I hope that ... I really hope that I'm going to have a great season next year."

-- Marcin Gortat, Orlando Magic

I was able to speak with Orlando Magic assistant coach and Summer League head coach Patrick Ewing, Marcin Gortat, Vince Carter, and Russell Robinson - a player playing in the Summer League for the Magic, vying for a roster spot.

Click after the jump for the full transcript.

Patrick Ewing

Could you comment on your team's play against the Oklahoma City Thunder, yesterday?

We did some good things, but we made a lot of mistakes. We hope that we can regroup from what we did yesterday, come back, and win today.

What are some things you want to work on against the Boston Celtics, today?

Trying to get the guys to be unselfish. When they're making their move, if their guy is open, pass the ball. Pass it, move, rebound, block shots, defend. Just trying to get them play a total game.

Do you think Levance Fields or any of the other players that didn't play yesterday will see minutes today?

Oh, yeah. We're rotating our starting lineup.

Marcin Gortat

Wherever you're heading, are you excited to see where your career is progressing, considering where you started?

Yeah, definitely. I think it's the most important for me is to get playing time and just keep improving. Being around the guys in Dallas or Orlando is going to definitely help me to become a better basketball player. Competing against Dwight [Howard] or Dirk Nowitzki is going to definitely put me in the spot where I'm going to play against the best guys in the league. I hope that ... I really hope that I'm going to have a great season next year.

Have you spoken to anyone in particular about getting advice, given that this is a big moment and you're going to be signing a big contract?

Yeah, I've had a chance to talk to a couple of guys. They all told me that I have to stay humble and just don't forget about the stuff that I was doing the last two years. I'm talking about being the first in the gym, working on my game, improving every part of m y game so like I said, it's going to be a huge opportunity for me. I believe I'm going to get more playing time and my role might be bigger next year so I'm just going to try to show that I'm a better basketball player.

What other things would you like to showcase in your game?

I think I'll show a little more offensive skills and hopefully some of the leadership skills. Hopefully I'm going to have a chance to help the team, being as a starter or being the guy coming off the bench and helping the team a lot.

Did [Dallas Mavericks owner] Mark Cuban approach you personally in hopes of trying to sign you?

I came over to his house for dinner and we had a discussion. That's all.

Were you able to talk to [Mavs head coach] Rick Carlisle and anyone else?

Oh yeah, Rick Carlisle, [general manager and president of basketball operations] Donnie Nelson, obviously ... I had a chance to talk to those guys. I talked to Dirk Nowitzki so they all told me how it is. I asked a lot of questions about the team and everything sounds cool, so we'll see what's going on.

Are you excited to be playing in the Western Conference, if that's where you'll be playing?

That's going to be a new challenge. I've never played in the Western Conference and I'm going to have a chance to play against, I think, bigger competition. We'll see what's going to happen.

Vince Carter

Is there anyone in the Summer League that's stood out to you so far, in terms of individual play?

I've only seen ... this is my second game. I'm just watching my team, really, and getting acclimated with how the offense is running. What they're expecting. Getting an idea of what's going on. I think Ryan, watching him ... he was playing a lot better today than he did last game, so it was nice to see that.

Have you been able to give any of the players on the Orlando Magic Summer League roster any pointers?

I'm trying. I can't help it. I enjoy the game and I enjoy helping my team win, if possible so I don't know all of these guys but yet at the same time, if I can help them, I will.

Is there anyone in free agency that you're hoping Otis Smith signs? Have you been able to speak with him about that?

No, I haven't. I'm still out of the loop as far as what's going on. For me, it makes me feel better when I know what's going on because like I said, I like to help the best I can but we'll see.

I was able to speak with Ryan Anderson yesterday and he said you took him under his wing. What are some of the things you did for him last year in New Jersey?

Just more so ... confidence and his comfort. Sometimes, as a player, coach yells at you or says this and you, kind of, don't understand it in coach's terms or what not. Just to have a teammate that who's been there and who he knows that has his back, I think that was the biggest thing for him was just confidence. Having somebody on his side when ... he had the ability to ask me questions whenever he wanted to. That's what I am, that's what I was for him, and a lot of the other guys, even who were veterans.

How excited are you to be able to play with Dwight Howard and the other players? It seems to be a pick your poison type of deal, being able to play with this team.

Oh yeah, when you play on a team like this that has so many weapons, that's surrounded by a great big man, it just makes it fun. I'm excited about it. I feel like I can get guys the ball ... I'm excited to have that shooting around me.

Have you gotten any pointers from Jason Kidd, in terms of running the point, when you were with New Jersey?

Oh, of course, that's where I learned from ... just his vision, his ability to run the team. Who better to learn that position by him and also, Mark Jackson, who are guys I respected at that position ... Muggsy Bogues. I played with some pretty good point guards and I just think back to my time there ... this is how I feel like they would run the team. I may not be as fast as Jason Kidd but I feel like I can make good decisions under pressure.

Russell Robinson

How did you like your play, today? You were able to play a lot of minutes and get a good burn.

I think I did a good job of running the team, getting everybody involved ... especially early, especially Ryan, he had a tough day yesterday but it was good for him to bounce back. I think we did a good job of playing a team effort, today.

What are some things in your game that you're trying to work on in the Summer League?

Well, I'm just trying to show scouts that I can shoot it with consistency, and that I can run the team. I can play defense ... as I'm known already, so I'm just trying to show my game and play my game out there.

The Magic approached you to play for its Summer League team. Were there any other teams that approached you?

Well, I had some other options but this was the best fit for me and I figured that if I get out here, play my hardest, hopefully some good things will happen.

How do you like your chances of landing on an NBA roster? It's clear that a few teams like you.

I just keep faith. If anything, just go out, play hard everyday, and hopefully things work out for me and I think it will.

What was it like being able to play for head coach Bill Self at Kansas University, playing there for four years and winning a national title?

It was a great experience. Kansas fans are amazing.

Stay tuned for Ben's recap of the Magic v. Celtics game.

One player mentioned as a potential free-agent target for the Orlando Magic is Boston's Glen "Big...

erivera7 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:11:40 -0000

One player mentioned as a potential free-agent target for the Orlando Magic is Boston's Glen "Big Baby" Davis.

But Magic General Manager Otis Smith said Monday that the team isn't interested in Davis [...]

"I think we like who we like," Smith said. "You can’t make us like who we don’t like. There’s a lot been written about who we like, and most of them were not true. We have a tendency to like who we like. Every franchise does. So, right now, he’s just not on our radar."

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel

2009 Orlando Pro Summer League, Day 1

erivera7 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:24:40 -0000

More photos » by Bill Kostroun - AP

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"I'm so excited. I'm really happy [to play for a title contender]. It built up my level. I feel like my level of play has to be at that caliber now so I need to keep working hard. Basically, fill that roll and be that player that I need to be."

-- Ryan Anderson, Orlando Magic

Today, I was able to speak with Indiana Pacers head coach Jim O'Brien and president of basketball operations Larry Bird, soon-to-be former Orlando Magic player Marcin Gortat, head coach Stan Van Gundy, and newly-acquired Ryan Anderson.

Click after the jump for the full transcript.

Jim O'Brien

You're coaching the Indiana Pacers Summer League team, what type of things are you looking from your players this week?

We want to establish a good tempo that we want to play with, which is up and down. Move people, make sure they have some semblance of the running game. See if they can follow the basic schemes that we want to accomplish.

Are you excited to see Tyler Hansbrough and others play?

There are four guys [Hansbrough, Roy Hibbert, Josh McRoberts, Brandon Rush] that we are almost sure to have on our roster and we're giving A.J. Price a good, long look.

Do you plan on playing them [Hansbrough, Hibbert, McRoberts, Rush] a lot of minutes?

Sure, absolutely. We have 13 guys [on the roster], 1 guy is hurt. We have 12 guys ... the purpose of the summer league is ... you can pick guys that are draft choices and give them a chance to get acclimated to your system.

Do you think the development will be able to help them onto the season?

I think that ... we have most of our offense in, at least they've seen ... Tyler and A.J. ... they have seen a semblance of what we're trying to do. This will give them ... basically, we have 5 games and 12 practices, so this will give them a chance to get comfortable with it and so when they come into training camp, they'll have a step up.

Larry Bird

What was your thoughts from the Pacers and Nets/76ers game?

Awful. Both of them have 22 turnovers in a 43 minute game. Very sloppy but a lot of these guys ... first time they've ever played in a professional league so I'm sure they were nervous, but it wasn't much fun to watch.

Was the officiating too inconsistent for you?

It's always inconsistent. It's part of the game ... the way they played, it was a sloppy game.

How did you like the performance of Hansbrough, Rush, and the other players on your team?

They played alright. Rush has been looking pretty good all summer. Really, it's their first time out there so as the week goes by, they'll start playing better.

Is there any player that stood out to you from either team, in terms of overall play?

Well, I knew that [Marreese] Speights was a very good player ... I knew he was going to score points. It was interesting to watch [Jrue] Holiday out there because last year [at UCLA], we never saw him handle the ball much. You know, these guys will develop as they go along. They're both going to be very good players.

How did you think Holiday played the point today. He's learning on the job, as you said.

It's a tough position to learn on the job but he's a very skilled athlete, still a lot of talent. He'll just improve from here on out.

What do you think of the shakeup in the Eastern Conference?

Everyone thinks you have to make a counter-move. I think that Rasheed Wallace going to Boston is really going to help them. You pick up Vince Carter in Orlando, but you lose Turkoglu. Everything looks good on paper for a lot of teams until they get out there and start playing, you never know what's going to happen.

What type of aspirations do you have for your team this year, which has a lot of young, promising players?

Well, we're young. We made a roster change and we lost a lot of talent, but we cleaned up our team ... we're just going to rebuild the boat right now but we're trying to pick up pieces along the way and hopefully get better ever year and get back in this thing.

Marcin Gortat

What brings you to the Summer League? You've been a regular here the past few years.

Watching how it goes. Just watching all the guys, first of all, and for the first time, enjoy that I could watch and I don't have to play.

What type of things in the off-season are you going to be working on, in terms of your game? Are you going to touch on anything specific?

I think I'm just going to work on the basics, work on my range, work on my consistent shot. Just work ... get bigger, get quicker, get faster, and obviously some post moves and just try to stay in shape and get ready to play.

It was a great season for the Orlando Magic, even though the team lost in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Could you describe the experience of being able to play against Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and others?

Yeah, it was a great experience, especially the whole atmosphere of being in the Finals. The whole atmosphere with the media and everything that was going on around. Something that I'll never forget ... big expectations from our team, big pressure. We didn't make it but I think we learned a lot from the experience and will try to duplicate it next year.

What are some of the things you want to take from the NBA Finals and apply to yourself from here on forward?

Connection with media. The way I was handing media, I think that next year I'm going to be way better with that.

Was it a little overwhelming for you?

Yeah, this little thing all of a sudden became a really big thing. I learned that, from a small little thing ... you can all of a sudden have a huge story.

What was it like battling with Dwight Howard every day?

I liked it. It made me a better guy. I became a better basketball player. I had my confidence going into the game so that's how I learned everything.

If you don't come back, will you miss all the guys?

Oh yeah ... I'm going to see them on the floor so it's not a big deal.

Stan Van Gundy

Is there anyone from the Magic and Thunder game that stood out to you?

Well, I was impressed with [Serge] Ibaka from Oklahoma City. I didn't know anything about him, but everyone had good moments and bad

Ryan Anderson

How much will it help having Vince Carter coming with you to Orlando?

Yeah, Vince took me under his wing last year so it was a really good ... makes it a warm and easy adjustment for me. Especially a veteran, All-Star guy like Vince Carter ... I mean, a guy who's going to demand a lot of attention as well as Dwight. It's going to be nice to have a guy ... he's not afraid to pass the ball to anybody. He has confidence in his teammates and of course, everybody has confidence in Vince. I'm really happy to have him around and it's good to have a veteran guy have your support.

How does it feel playing for a title contender now?

I'm so excited. I'm really happy. It built up my level. I feel like my level of play has to be at that caliber now so I need to keep working hard. Basically, fill that roll and be that player that I need to be.

Have you been able to speak with Howard or any of the other players?

I know Dwight was here. I haven't really talked to him much. I talked to J.J. [Redick], Marcin ... yeah, a couple of the guys. Of course, Vince ... Jeremy [Richardson], of course. Not a bunch of the guys but a few.

Did you feel comfortable playing out there, today?

It's weird. For me, the summer time is different because I haven't played for five months so I really got to get back into the rhythm of playing. I'm feeling comfortable with these guys. I played with Mo Ager last year with the Nets so I'm cool with the guys on the floor but you're learning new plays, you're learning all these new things so I mean it's hard to say I'm comfortable on the first day.

Has it been a little overwhelming, given the whole situation?

I wouldn't say overwhelmed, if anything, I'm just really happy. It's a break for me because I feel like this team fits my game really well. I'm going to be open around the perimeter, basically, if they want me to shoot the ball. It's not like I'm going to a team where I have no idea of anything, basically, but they play similar to New Jersey.

What's it like being able to play under Patrick Ewing in the Summer League?

I mean ... Patrick Ewing is a legend in the NBA. He's a guy I always looked up to. A guy who I idolized. It's Patrick Ewing, of course. It's funny because last year he was in the Summer League and I was like, 'Patrick Ewing is right there!' and now, once you play around with the Kobe Bryant's, the LeBron James', you realize that everybody is just a normal guy. It's their job. It's amazing playing under a guy with a lot of knowledge about the game and he has a lot to teach.

Stay tuned for Ben's recap of the Magic v. Thunder game.

Ben and I were at the Orlando Pro Summer League, today. Expect an interview transcript and a game...

erivera7 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:40:49 -0000

Ben and I were at the Orlando Pro Summer League, today. Expect an interview transcript and a game recap (Orlando Magic vs. Oklahoma City Thunder) later.

Thanks, everyone.

What They're Saying About Rasheed Wallace Committing To The Boston Celtics

erivera7 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:23:52 -0000

More photos » by Allen Einstein - NBAE/Getty Images

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Normally this move wouldn't be posted at 3QC, but given that a free agent target (Rasheed Wallace) signed with a conference rival (Boston Celtics), it bears relevance to the Orlando Magic. Here's what the 'internets' had to say:

Report: Rasheed Wallace commits to Celtics
J.E. Skeets of Ball Don't Lie provides the backdrop of the C's snagging 'Sheed.

Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland, originally said his client would meet with other teams later this week, but that butter knife Garnett held to 'Sheed's throat apparently did the trick. (KG's very convincing!) Charlotte, Cleveland, Orlando, Dallas and San Antonio were said to be other suitors.

The 35-year-old Wallace can play the low post and also has exceptional shooting range. He averaged 12 points per game for the Pistons last year, before falling to just 6.5 points per game in the first round of the playoffs [...]
Wallace Makes Celtics NBA's Best Team
Matt Steinmetz of NBA FanHouse elaborates on what the Rasheed Wallace signing means for the other title contenders in the Association.

The Celtics may have only been a Kevin Garnett away from repeating in the first place in 2009. Now, the Celtics could be heading into next year's postseason with Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Wallace.

That's championship-caliber in any league. But that's how good Wallace is and what he would have meant to any contender, quite frankly. Sure, the Celtics were the lucky ones, yet what's most important here is that Wallace would have made any and all of the handful of contenders the favorite. [...]

What we know is that Wallace is going to play for the Celtics next season. Which makes them the team to beat heading into next season.
Wallace Joins Celtics
Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus chimes in on the transaction.

I did not consider a versatile four as important a need for the Celtics as Cleveland because of Kevin Garnett’s presumed return from knee trouble next season. If Garnett is healthy, he’s perfectly capable of defending on the perimeter, and if he’s sidelined Boston’s problems run deeper than matchups.

Still, it’s easy to see where a focused, motivated Wallace could help the Celtics in a role similar to the one played by James Posey in the 2008 NBA Finals. Then, Boston moved Garnett to the middle to match up with the Lakers’ frontcourt of Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, and Posey’s clutch three-pointers were a key to the Celtics winning the title. Doc Rivers may now have a tougher time taking an improving Kendrick Perkins off the floor, but it’s always preferable to have options, and Rivers will. Should Boston be able to re-sign Davis, a restricted free agent, the team will also be well insulated should Wallace be unable to fit into a reserve role or see his game fall off in the postseason as it has in recent years in Detroit. Right now, Wallace is something of a bonus, and a very nice one for the Celtics.
A Change of Seasons
UPDATE: Rob Mahoney of Hardwood Paroxysm talks about the acquisition.

Sheed’s internal politics aside, this is a pretty great move for the Celtics. I don’t think it puts them head and shoulders above the rest of the title hopefuls, but it certainly cements Boston’s place among the league elite. Any chance of slippage or rust is countered by making such a big addition, and the fact that the Celtics were able to fortify the center position is even more helpful than you might think. Wallace might seem to be but a marginal upgrade over some combination of Leon Powe and Glen Davis, but he’s both put together and then some. The problem with both Powe and Davis is that their skills are held back by their lack of size. Wallace is tall enough to cast shadows over both, while well eclipsing their respective skill and talent levels. If Leon and Big Baby remain Celtics, then they’re as deep as an ocean up front. If not, then Sheed is more than capable of fulfilling their duties (while playing far superior defense) in a three big rotation with KG and Perk. Those are three big, bad men with three big, bad mouths on ‘em, and a strong enough group to challenge any team in the league.
Celtics No Better With Rasheed Wallace
UPDATE 2: Brett Pollakoff of NBA FanHouse offers a different view from his colleague - Steinmetz, who states the C's are the team to beat in the NBA.

Sheed has always been a guy who likes to get his shots. And if the flow of the game isn't going his way, no problem: he'll just pull up for an ill-advised three-pointer while trailing on the break, or in the half-court set with 21 seconds left on the shot clock. On a Celtics team with plenty of guys who can score, they don't need to add a player who isn't that great of a one-on-one defender (whether due to age or lack of interest, we'll certainly find out soon enough) and who thinks he should be a focal point of the offense.
Rasheed Wallace on the Celtics? Not bad -
UPDATE 3: Kelly Dwyer of Ball Don't Lie analyzes 'Sheed's arrival to Beantown.
Wallace gives Celtics 'K.G. Insurance'
UPDATE 4: Peter May, a special to Yahoo! Sports, writes about the signing.

An NBA source said tonight that Detroit free agent forward Rasheed Wallace has committed to sign...

erivera7 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:48:04 -0000

An NBA source said tonight that Detroit free agent forward Rasheed Wallace has committed to sign with the Celtics on July 8 when free agents are able to sign. Wallace is expected to get a two-year deal using the mid-level exception (expected to be about $5.6 million to $5.8 million). Celtics All-Star trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, owner Wyc Grousbeck, coach Doc Rivers and president Danny Ainge met with Wallace last week. Wallace turned down overtures from Orlando and San Antonio to commit to Boston.

Marc J. Spears of the Boston Globe