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Diener article
Topic Started: Dec 18 2006, 04:44 AM (432 Views)
gomagic33
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Mr. Anderson
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In one week, Travis Diener has gone from watching on the bench in street clothes to the finishing point guard.

Fortunes can change quickly in the NBA.

The groin injury to Jameer Nelson, coupled with the recent struggles of Carlos Arroyo, has provided Diener with his long-awaited opportunity for the Orlando Magic. And he is making the most of it.

After hardly playing as a rookie last season and then spending much of the first six weeks this season on the inactive list waiting for a roster spot to open, Diener suddenly has emerged as a valuable asset.

"For the first time, I'm starting to get major minutes, and every game now, it's feeling better and better,'' Diener said. "I've always been confident that I can play at this level. It's just a matter of getting the chance.''

Diener had 11 points and a team-high four assists and one turnover in 29 minutes, including all 12 minutes in the decisive fourth quarter of an 81-74 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.

It was the second consecutive game that Diener -- and not Arroyo -- ran the Magic offense in the fourth quarter. In a loss to Charlotte on Thursday, Diener hit 5 of 6 shots (including 3 of 4 3-pointers) for 16 points in 29 minutes.

On Saturday, he made 4 of 6 shots and 2 of 4 from 3-point range. His long-range shooting ability already is gaining respect around the league.

"He was in a good flow out there,'' said Magic Coach Brian Hill, explaining his fourth-quarter lineup. "When he's out there, he improves the spacing and makes it harder for teams to double-team in the post. You can just see him getting more comfortable.''

Nelson, the team's starting point guard, has missed the past three games with the groin injury. He is questionable for Wednesday night's game against the New Orleans Hornets. If he doesn't return, Arroyo will remain the starter, but Diener likely will be the closer again.

Early this season, Arroyo was playing in reserve, but he was finishing games because he was playing better than Nelson. As the season progressed, though, Nelson was starting and finishing.

"Young guys just have to wait their turn,'' Diener said. "It's unfortunate that Jameer was hurt, but it gave me the chance. I've just tried to stay ready for when my name is called.''

Diener joined the Magic as a second-round draft pick from Marquette, considered a deadly long-distance shooter. He was Marquette's all-time leader in 3-pointers made (284) and third on its all-time scoring list (1,691 points), but many NBA teams considered him too small at 6 feet 1 to defend capably in the NBA.

Last season, he played in 23 games, averaging 10.7 minutes and 3.8 points.

"He deserves a lot of credit,'' Hill said. "He kept himself prepared, and now with the minutes he's getting, he's getting comfortable out there.''



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Black and Blue
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I have been happy watching Diener. He plays exactly like he did for Marquette, when he was a sparkplug out there.
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TheFalcon
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Diener! Diener! Diener!

I'm starting to think that if Diener can keep up this level of play consistently, we may be able to move one of the other point guards (I would say Arroyo). It would open up a spot on the roster for another big man, which we could desperately use.
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melbournemagic
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From what I've seen of Diener, he's impressed. He deserves to play more minutes in the NBA to truely show what he can do, if not here then on another team.
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MAGICMANEVAN
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TheFalcon
Dec. 18 2006 10:56 AM
Diener! Diener! Diener!

I'm starting to think that if Diener can keep up this level of play consistently, we may be able to move one of the other point guards (I would say Arroyo). It would open up a spot on the roster for another big man, which we could desperately use.

We cant move Arroyo. He created a buzz in the spanish community (which orlando is basically half Puerto Rican.), and shot up the per game attendance. I honestly dont think he would trade him unless we really got a better deal in return.
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TheFalcon
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MAGICMANEVAN
Dec. 18 2006 11:37 AM
TheFalcon
Dec. 18 2006 10:56 AM
Diener!  Diener!  Diener!

I'm starting to think that if Diener can keep up this level of play consistently, we may be able to move one of the other point guards (I  would say Arroyo).  It would open up a spot on the roster for another big man, which we could desperately use.

We cant move Arroyo. He created a buzz in the spanish community (which orlando is basically half Puerto Rican.), and shot up the per game attendance. I honestly dont think he would trade him unless we really got a better deal in return.

Yeah, you're right. It's a shame though, because Diener is far outplaying him. I just feel bad for Diener. He's playing better basketball, but may not get his chance because he isn't the right nationality.

It is a business, though.
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adamosthegreek
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Good to see the Doctor was good for something:
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I'm trying to get the Eze's board to start calling our boy 'Pulp' (and some have taken on that name full throttle while others think I'm on crack). :D
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n_cruz69
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Yeah, you're right. It's a shame though, because Diener is far outplaying him. I just feel bad for Diener. He's playing better basketball, but may not get his chance because he isn't the right nationality.

It is a business, though.


Arroyo is going through a bad spell right now, happens to him every season, but since his years in Utah he always finishes de season strong. He always struggles during the December - January stretch after always having a good November.

And dont jump to conclussions, Diener has had two good games. How many good games has Arroyo had this season? And in how many games has he outplayed Nelson?
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melbournemagic
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Here's another one...

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...334/1002/SPORTS

I had to give Hedo (Turkoglu) a 50 percent rebate because I was beating him so bad," Diener said of his post-practice shooting competitions. "And (assistant coach) Mo (Wiley) still owes me money, too."

With solid 3-point shooters on the Orlando Magic roster like J.J. Redick, Pat Garrity, Jameer Nelson and Turkoglu, Diener can usually find someone to challenge after practice. And he is the undisputed king of the team when it comes to such long-range shootouts.

"I'll put it this way," Magic coach Brian Hill said, "I wouldn't bet against Diener in too many H-O-R-S-E games."

Diener has come off the bench and rescued Orlando's flailing offense with his dead-eye accuracy from afar. He's scored 16, 11 and 13 points of late, making his case for increased playing time in Hill's rotation.

Because he's been outplaying backup Carlos Arroyo of late, Diener could continue to see his minutes climb tonight when the Magic host the high-octane Golden State Warriors.
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MAGICMANEVAN
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melbournemagic
Dec. 22 2006 03:23 PM
Because he's been outplaying backup Carlos Arroyo of late, Diener could continue to see his minutes climb tonight when the Magic host the high-octane Golden State Warriors.

Um... no. So much for continuing to see his minutes climb...
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