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2004-05 Season Wrap-up
Topic Started: May 4 2005, 09:28 PM (147 Views)
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2004-05 Season Wrap-up


Now that the Orlando Magic's 2004-05 campaign has come to a close, it is time for the players and fans to reflect on the highlights and events of this past season. Recently, orlandomagic.com caught up with some Magic players so that they could share with you their thoughts.

GRANT HILL
On the season:
“It was a weird year, kind of how we started and how we finished. I thought in the pre-season, when we first met here on media day, that it would kind of start rough and maybe end good. But this is where we are and we have to try to correct whatever problems occurred this season and try to prevent, regardless of how we start next year, to progress not digress, and I think to a certain degree we did that this season.”

On there being more to look forward to this season than last season:
“I think so. I think definitely we’ve shown what we can do. We’ve been saying that all year, you guys have been saying it all year. I think first and foremost I would assume figuring out the coaching situation, getting that all squared away. Then trying to reflect and figure out, what exactly happened, what happened throughout the season, and what do we need to do going forward. Personnel decisions are made or changes, what have you, I am sure that will be addressed. Draft, all that stuff goes on during the summer, but we have a pretty good making of something. We have good players here, we just have to improve. I think that’s not so much from practice, not so much from anything else, but just do what we did at the start of the season, whatever that was. I’m a little vague, I guess, but I do know that we are somewhat disappointed and feel as if we should still be playing and be in the playoffs.”

On his summer plans:
“I don’t know. I’m definitely looking forward to, on a personal note, just working this summer. Getting in the gym and having year to kind of know what works and doesn’t work. In terms of right this second, I don’t know. There are some things, as I’ve come back, the game has changed somewhat, the rules have changed and maybe to a certain degree, my role has changed. So just trying to figure out putting together a game plan and this summer trying to work on things and improve.”

On retirement:
“No, I haven’t thought about it, not at all.”

On the type of coach the Magic need:
“It’s tough to accurately evaluate Chris, because he has done some good things, but he was thrown into a tough situation. I think we need some discipline and accountability. A slippage occurred and things that we weren’t doing, but kind of winning and getting away with, well eventually those things catch up with you. We need somebody who will hold us accountable and not allow that kind of slippage to occur. The timing for Chris was tough. He did as good of a job as he can, but he feels that if he’s brought back he will be different. He’s addressed us and told us that. It’s kind of like with children, you have to discipline them and raise them the way you want to raise them, from the time they are born and not wait until they are 14 or 15, when the foundation is already established in training camp. It’s tough for any coach to come in, maybe mid-season, but once you get to 60 games, whenever, Chris was thrown in the fire, it’s just a tough situation. I’m kind of giving you the personality of what we need, but it’s up to management to figure out who that may be.
On the type of coach the Magic need:
“I look at Phil Jackson, Van Gundy and Popovich, somebody took a gamble with them. So whether it’s someone who has been around and has experience, someone who has been an assistant or even Chris. Whoever it may be, I’m not great at picking coaches, that’s not my thing. Maybe one day I’ll be good at picking coaches. I just know from the years I’ve been in the league and what we’ve been through this season, I have a pretty good idea of what I think we need and I think that personality or job description, is someone who will be able to do those types of things. It’s just tough, like I said if your brought, Phil Jackson, coach K, Steve Spurrier or any of the great coaches in here, with that timing in the season, it’s a difficult time to try to change things with 15 or 20 games left.”

On John Weisbrod using this season as an evaluation process:
“That’s probably pretty accurate. There were a lot of unknowns, my situation, Johnny, new players, Dwight Howard, Steve, there were a lot of new faces. Sort of a new environment. So from a management point of view, yes, they are managing the situation, like management folks do, I guess. At the same time, evaluating, and have a good feeling about hopefully the core and also a good understanding of the core and a good understanding of maybe what subtle changes need to occur. I’m pretty optimistic, in that, I look at where we are right now and it’s disappointing, but I look at where we were last year and just the state of the situation last season, with Tracy wanting to be out and you didn’t know what was going to happen. I think in the big grand scheme of things if you have perspective this season was a step in the right direction, with the feeling that we can do better. Hopefully we can be in a situation where we over achieve, and I think every team strives for that. We can be a good team, but we have to make a few subtle changes and I hope that management will do that.”

On whether or not the team needs more stability:
“Selfishly, you don’t want to blow up a whole team and have to get to know and learn all new personalities. One thing about this team, off the court, this has been the closest team I’ve ever been on, with guys getting along and enjoying each other. Hopefully that feeling will carry over to next season. When you know each other, you don’t always get along, but you know each other and each other’s intentions and how to be honest. Good teams have that. We all feel like we can be better and we just have to be willing to do that, the little things that lead to success. We did it at times, but it has to become a habit, it has got become second nature for us. If we do that we can become a very good ball club.”

On his role changing and him changing as a player:
“Usually at the end of the season I like to watch some tape and sort of give a final report of my own. Just to kind of figure out where I’m at, what should I improve upon. There are certain things initially that come to mind, that I know I need to work on. In terms of my role, last time I was healthy, on a different team, in a different city, with different players around me. Now, it’s different. I don’t know if it is good or bad or better or worse, but it is just a different environment. Assuming we keep everybody together, I have a better idea of how I’m going to be used. Although, that could change if a coaching change does occur.”

STEVE FRANCIS
On the season:
“It was a roller coaster, but to me it is a good thing. I finished my sixth season in the NBA and I am excited about that.”

If John Weisbrod comes to you and asks what kind of coach this team needs, what are you going to tell him?
“I will leave it up to him. I don’t want to get involved in that situation – that is their decision to make.”

Isn’t there a certain kind of coach that you enjoy playing for?
“I don’t think that there is a guy that I know – I respect the coach that we have that finished our season yesterday. That is where I’m at with that.”

What kinds of things will you work on in the summer?
“There is a lot of things every summer that I just take in. I have a team of people who help me with my game at home in the summer. They look at a lot of tapes, as far as shooting, defense, things like that. There are a lot of things that I will get back home and see what they say.”

What about working on leadership skills?
“I don’t think you can work on leadership skills, I think you are born with them. The only way leadership can come into play is when you are put into a position to be a leader.”

Looking at the off-season, what are the parting thoughts that they talked about today?
“Stay focused and don’t be scared to reflect on the season, because there were some good things, and of course there were a lot of bad things as far as wins and losses. So just focus on working, trying to get your game better, and things like that.”

Are they going to get your input on a new coach?
“Like I said, that is their decision. I have never been in a situation where any team I played for would ask what type of coach would you like to play for. It is definitely not my decision.”

DWIGHT HOWARD
On personal highs and lows:
“I would say some highs were just being around the team. I learned a lot of new stuff this year. The lows are just trying to deal with the 82 game season. I know there were sometimes when I was kind of upset with myself about my performance on the court but I also overall think my first year was pretty good.”

What did Steve teach you this year?
“Steve taught me a lot, in just the way he handles situations in the game. You know his tenacity, he feels like he can do everything on the court. That’s one thing I learned from him is to never give up when you’re down 20 or when you’re down five, just keep fighting until the end.”

Have you been told that more will be expected from you next year and to prepare this summer?
“ Well I told them that next year I want to carry us the best way I can and I know there is going to be more pressure on me to go through this summer and polish my game so that next year the team can count on me a little better.”

How did Grant’s successful return affect the team this season?
“Well you know Grant did a lot of the scoring for us. He was like an inspiration to some of us who watched him. Seeing him battle with injuries for three or four years then come back and have successful season it was fun watching him.”

What are you doing next, taking a vacation or what?
“I’m taking a rest. You know I just played three high school seasons right here in one NBA season. So I’m going to get some rest and get my battery recharged and get ready to go back to work. My Dad and me are having a father and son camp. It’s a traditional basketball camp and it’s also a camp for enrichment on off the court values. I’m looking forward to that and spending some time with my pops and also a lot of the guys from the team and around the league are going to show up and help me out.”

Did you play above your expectations in your rookie season?
“I think I had an okay first year. There’s a lot of things I want to work on and I saw some of the stuff that I need that’s going to make me a better player and make my team a better team. I know what I need to work on and I’m just looking forward to coming back next year and giving my team everything they need.”

What do you need to work on?
“I’ll say I need to work on my overall game, offense and defense. I think a big part of me being a better player is conditioning. Last year I really didn’t get a lot of rest coming into the season because I was working out from high school all the way up until I started playing. I really just want to work on my conditioning so that at least I will be able to run for the time I am in the game 30 minutes 40 minutes whatever it takes.”

On being the future of this franchise and the pressure to keep getting better:
“I don’t think there’s pressure on me. I know the Magic drafted me for a reason and I’m taking full advantage of what they have given me so far and not let the organization down.”

On your thoughts reflecting back on having gone through first year in NBA:
“It’s a roller coaster ride and it went by so fast. I can remember getting drafted and now the season is over with. But I learned a lot and I think I gained a lot of experience playing in all 82 games and I just can’t wait to see what the future holds for me.”

Could you have anticipated having such an outstanding first year?
“Well I just wanted to come in and make an impact for my team and I think I did that. A lot of the guys looked to me for different areas and I’m happy that I was able to help my team out this year.”

How did it (first year) compare to how you envisioned it?
“I knew it was going to be challenging because in high school I never dealt with anything like this. I knew it was going to take more of my body; you know the wear and tear. I really learned a lot as far as watching other guys play and being around the different attitudes of older men. I really learned a lot.”

On looking to the future and next year:
“I just can’t wait. We got a bunch of guys who are going to come back and who are willing to get the job done to win and do whatever it takes. So I just can’t wait for that.”

JAMEER NELSON
On what he learned this year:
“First of all I learned that I can play this game at this level. There was some doubt in people’s minds, but I never doubted myself. I got my opportunity and I contributed big minutes for the team after the All-Star break.”

On mixed emotions about playoffs and getting more minutes down the stretch to prove he belonged:
“I wasn’t looking at it as an individual thing. I would rather win more than anything and go to the playoffs more than anything. I felt as though that I was out there enough to say that whatever was going wrong or going right, I was part of the problem or part of the solution.”

Is playing reserve alright when long term you are probably a starting point guard in this league?
“I’m going to do what I have to do for my team whether it’s coming off the bench or starting. Obviously I want to play and it doesn’t matter if I play as a starter or a reserve. I think I can do the same thing as long as I get the minutes.”

How much will you work with Dwight this summer building chemistry?
“I think we will work quite a bit. One of my things individually, I just want to watch a lot of film on this year and see the things that I did wrong. You can always when watching highlights say ‘oh I did this right,’ I want to see everything I did wrong.”

What has Steve Francis taught you this year?
“He has taught me how to be a pro, he and Grant both. All of the veterans have taught me how to be a pro off the court.”

How did Grant’s comeback affect the team this year?
“It affected us in a good way. It was great to see a guy comeback from injury like that, who hasn’t played in years and have the courage to step back on the court and have confidence in himself.”

HEDO TURKOGLU

On the season:
“I don’t think anybody wants to get hurt. It was bad luck for me.”

You have always been in the playoffs, so what do you think about not being there this year?
“All my career I have been in the playoffs. If you look at it, this team individually, player-to-player, compared to other teams we would make the playoffs right now. We are better than them – we are. We have had ups and downs through the season, and we’ve had a couple people get hurt. We especially had a chance to make a run at the end of the season, and I got hurt and Grant got hurt, and it made it hard for Chris (Jent). He got the new job being the head coach, and it seemed like bad things had to happen.”

You have played for disciplinarian coaches and laid-back coaches – what type of coach do you think this team needs?
“I think Chris did a good job since he was the head coach. He liked to have a good relationship with the guys, and being in terms of being our assistant coach to being our head coach, some people would have changed, but he didn’t change. He always was the person he always was – you could talk to him, have the same fun, have the same practice like he always has. It didn’t work out for him either, like I said with me getting hurt and Grant getting hurt, but all of our guys tried to do their best to get a win. We had a chance (with) 15 or 20 games left to make a run, but everybody got hurt and the team was short-handed and hopefully next year everybody will be healthy and everybody will stay here hopefully.”

Is the next step for you hopefully the all-star level?
“Definitely. That is my goal every year to prove myself, and this year I had one of the best years of my career. I’m going to start with this, go back and start working and be ready and positive next year.”
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