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| Magic vs. Sonics Thread; 3/18, 10:30 PM, Key Arena | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 18 2005, 04:53 PM (1,192 Views) | |
| MagicMadness | Mar 18 2005, 04:53 PM Post #1 |
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Orlando Magic vs. Seattle Supersonics vs. ![]() What: Regular Season Game #64 Where: Key Arena When: March 18, 10:30 PM Broadcast: TV -- SunSports, Radio -- 580 AM (WDBO) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chris Jent will make his debut as coach of the struggling Orlando Magic when they take on the Seattle SuperSonics. Orlando fired coach Johnny Davis along with assistant Ron Ekker hours after the Magic's sixth straight loss, a 110-102 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. The Magic's losing streak has put them in jeopardy of missing the playoffs -- they are tied with Philadelphia for the eighth and final spot. ``We work in a bottom line business,'' general manager John Weisbrod said in a statement. ``It is our responsibility to do everything possible to create the best opportunity for success.'' Davis told the Orlando Sentinel he was ``surprised and disappointed'' by being fired with just 18 games left in the season and the club still in the playoff hunt. Jent was named the interim coach over Paul Westhead, an assistant who previously coached the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver. Jent spent parts of two seasons in the NBA, winning a title with Houston in 1994. Jent is in a difficult position as the Magic are in the middle of their five-game road trip. Their frustration was evident after Wednesday's loss. ``We're in trouble. We haven't won for like a week or so,'' Magic leading scorer Steve Francis said. ``This is definitely our lowest point of the season. We just need to get back to playing the up-tempo style of game that we're used to.'' Francis has struggled during the skid, shooting 35 percent from the field. Seattle will be trying to halt a season-high three-game home losing streak. The SuperSonics concluded a 2-1 road trip with a 102-95 loss at Detroit on Wednesday. The Sonics allowed 36 points in the third quarter and were outscored 15-5 down the stretch. ``We are breaking down on the perimeter way too much,'' Seattle coach Nate McMillan said. ``We gave up way too many points. When you're defending like we did tonight, you're going to be playing from behind.'' Seattle star guard Ray Allen shot 6-of-7 in the second half after missing all four of his attempts before halftime. Allen, who netted 20 points, was not happy with taking just 11 shots -- nearly eight below his season average. ``No, I'm not getting enough looks,'' he said. ``You've gotta talk to the coach.'' STANDINGS (through March 16): Magic - 3rd place, 18 GB, Southeast Division. SuperSonics - 1st place, Northwest Division. PROBABLE STARTERS: Magic - F Grant Hill, F Dwight Howard, C Kelvin Cato, G Francis, G Jameer Nelson. SuperSonics - F Rashard Lewis, F Reggie Evans, C Jerome James, G Allen, G Luke Ridnour. TEAM LEADERS: Magic - Francis, 21.4 ppg and 7 apg; Howard, 10 rpg. SuperSonics - Allen, 23.7 ppg; Evans, 9.5 rpg; Ridnour, 5.9 apg. SEASON SERIES: Magic, 1-0. LAST MEETING: Jan. 5; Magic, 105-87. At Orlando, Francis scored 27 of his 35 points in the second half as the Magic scored 59 after halftime. Allen led the Sonics with 30. ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Magic - 10-23 on the road; SuperSonics - 21-11 at home. INJURIES: Magic - G Doug Christie (ankle); C Andrew DeClercq (knee). SuperSonics - G Mateen Cleaves (thumb); F Damien Wilkins (knee). http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2005031825 |
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| melbournemagic | Mar 18 2005, 05:51 PM Post #2 |
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Starter
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look for some of these changes... Jent told the Sentinel that he's ready to shake up the team, saying: The starting lineup "is not set in concrete" anymore. "I'm not worried who starts. I'm worried who finishes," Jent said. One switch bandied about even before Davis was fired: Benching Kelvin Cato and starting Tony Battie at center. Which may be the way Jent goes about trying to "generate more from the bench." The Magic's big men, especially Howard, will be getting the ball more in the low post. So will small forwards. Davis was reluctant to give Howard the ball more because he felt he wasn't ready, which, to a point, had merit. Jent doesn't want to rely as much on shots from the perimeter. "If Dwight plays like he did [Wednesday] night [Howard had a career-high 29 points and 12 rebounds], he's getting the ball a lot," Jent said. "I want to try to play more inside out instead of outside in." The offense will be tweaked to spread the floor and will defer to shooters who develop a hot hand. "We're going to change some things, refine some things, build on what Johnny put in," Jent said. "Have a couple more options on plays and just a shorter package. "My pet peeve is spacing." In the wake of the firing of assistant coach Ron Ekker, Jent will take over the defense and add some wrinkles. |
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| Black and Blue | Mar 18 2005, 06:00 PM Post #3 |
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Have You Hugged Your Van Gundy Today?
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PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Turn this team around Joisey boy! |
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| Black and Blue | Mar 18 2005, 06:06 PM Post #4 |
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Have You Hugged Your Van Gundy Today?
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If we somehow win tonight, this new guy officially kicks ass. |
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| NYCMagicFan | Mar 18 2005, 06:55 PM Post #5 |
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Old School
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I like that.
I REALLY Like that!!! |
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| magiclive | Mar 18 2005, 07:21 PM Post #6 |
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#1 Magic Fan
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i will still take jackson, saunders, or musselman over jent. i dont wanna have another davis incident again. this guy is an INTERIM head coach. thats it. |
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| kjbucs01 | Mar 18 2005, 07:50 PM Post #7 |
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Sixth Man
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francis back to PG and stevenson to start at SG. (Orlando Sentinel) We desperately need a big athletic 2 guard and i think stevenson can fill in nicely until we get someone though free agency or the draft. remember that he averaged around 11 a game for us last season. Plus steve needs to be at the PG, he is obviously more comfortable there and is gonna turn the ball over either way, might as well get his best overall game that he usually gets along with the TOs. I didnt think moving him would work, but at least it got nelson experience and he can be a bigger contributer off the bench and we can actually have a backup PG. Combine this with the other things about battie and getting the big men and small forwards involved and i REALLY like this guy so far. But the games will tell it all. |
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| NYCMagicFan | Mar 18 2005, 07:59 PM Post #8 |
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Old School
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Good. I like Stevenson starting. He needs to get more time. |
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| gomagic33 | Mar 18 2005, 08:06 PM Post #9 |
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Mr. Anderson
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Francis moving back to point?!? ![]() I am giving this the benefit of the doubt. |
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| dxwwf3 | Mar 18 2005, 08:55 PM Post #10 |
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Legend
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I guess I don't mind Stevenson starting, but if that's the case then why isn't Francis the one on the bench? Nelson has outplayed him in every game since Nelson began starting. So if he's dead set on making a change, then why bench our hottest player? We'll see how it works tonight. But I am not in favor of benching Nelson right now. I don't agree with the new guy on this one. |
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| zuppafly | Mar 18 2005, 09:28 PM Post #11 |
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Drafting Marbury + Foyle = Championship. \o/
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I agree with Magiclive: Jent is an interim, but I won't mind to give him a chance to prove his value while JW negotiates with some other proven coach. About Francis going back to PG... I don't mind that if Jameer still gets his 25-30 minutes... At least untill the end of the season, when we can trade Francis for a good SG and someone else to give depth to the roster. |
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| MagicFan3 | Mar 18 2005, 09:37 PM Post #12 |
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All-Star
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Anyone else see this game as pretty close to a must-win? Just consider this: Philly's leading the Cavs by 13 at the break.
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| NYCMagicFan | Mar 18 2005, 11:41 PM Post #13 |
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Old School
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GAME TIME!!! |
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| Black and Blue | Mar 18 2005, 11:47 PM Post #14 |
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Have You Hugged Your Van Gundy Today?
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Alright game time! Up 4-2 |
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| Black and Blue | Mar 18 2005, 11:49 PM Post #15 |
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Have You Hugged Your Van Gundy Today?
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Grant Hill: Cold as ice thus far.0-4 |
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