I. INTRO/SEASON IN REVIEW

I remember leaving the TD Waterhouse after the first game of the season, when the Orlando Magic had just destroyed the Toronto Raptors thinking to myself the sky is the limit for this team. The Orlando Magic seemed to have finally got their acts together with a Healthy Grant Hill and two warriors in Patrick Ewing and Horace Grant signed through Free Agency. Add that to a rising superstar in Tracy McGrady wit Rookie of the Year in Mike Miller and the Orlando Magic were on their way to the top of the NBA. After a great start on opening night, the Orlando Magic would stubble during the first part of the season trying to get the chemistry of the team to mesh together. Then the theme of the season would hit the team hard when they found out they would be losing Grant Hill again to season-ending surgery. Injuries again had robbed the Magic of any chance of winning the Atlantic division and making any noise in the Playoffs. With injuries to Miller and T-Mac the team struggled around the .500 mark. Finally the team went on a tear with T-Mac showing the NBA what MVP means really means and carried his team into the playoffs on his bad back. They pushed forward and almost gained home court advantage only to face the one team they really didn't stand a chance against, the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets dominated the Magic in the paint and exposed how much the Magic need to find some help during the off-season at the Center and Power Forward position. Even though the Magic lost in four games, they were in every ball game and probably could have swept the Hornets with a healthy T-Mac and/or Mike Miller. With every Magic fan looking forward to the summer of 2003, when we could have a chance of signing Duncan or McDyess, the summer of 2002 should be spent looking for key role players to build around their stars they already have in T-Mac, Grant Hill, and Mike Miller.

II. ROSTER/STATS

Free Agents:

Restricted - Pat Garrity Unrestricted - Troy Hudson, Jaren Jackson, Monty Williams

III. POSITION ANALYSIS

CENTER:
Horace Grant, Patrick Ewing, Steven Hunter, Andrew Declercq

The center spot is probably the Magic biggest hole on the team. They started off with Andrew Declercq, but that didn't last too long. Doc Rivers then decided to throw rookie Steven Hunter into the deep end, but he was yanked from the starting line up when Grant Hill went down. Steven Hunter showed some promise in the first part of the season with his ability to run the floor and some thunderous dunks, but often he looked lost and showed his inexperience out on the court. Patrick Ewing would get a few starts, but Doc Rivers would finally decided to move power forward Horace Grant to center position and keep him there for the rest of the season. Horace did his best, but signs of old age were setting in and he was often beat by the other centers in the league. Patrick Ewing pretty much was a big flop and should just give it up and retire.

POWER FORWARD:
Pat Garrity, Horace Grant, Don Reid

The power forward spot is another position the Magic need to make some improvements during the summer. Horace Grant started the season off pretty well at his natural position only to be move to the center position to play against players like Shaq and Tim Duncan. With Grant playing center, Doc Rivers decided place Pat Garrity at the starting power forward spot for the rest of the season. Garrity would grow as a player and gain confidents with his 3pt shot. Garrity would draw the defense out to open the lanes for T-Mac and Miller to post up. Garrity would put up good numbers on the offensive end of the court, but his defense pretty much cancelled any positive out. Garrity like Horace Grant was forced to play out of position and showed when he had to face up against KG or Webber. I really like Don Reid. This guy plays with his heart and will do all the little things that don't show up in stats. Too bad he is very foul prone and can't stay on the court long enough to make an impact.

SMALL FORWARD:
Grant Hill, Mike Miller, Monty Williams, Jud Buechler, Jaron Jackson

This was suppose to be the year Grant Hill comes back from injury and teams up with Tracy McGrady to form one of the best combos in the league. Well every Magic fan's nightmare came true when Grant Hill would have season ending surgery for the second year in a row. During the 14 games Grant Hill did play in, he showed his versatility averaging around 17ppg, 9rpg, and 5apg. A buffed up Mike Miller would then step into the starting small forward spot, raising his scoring and showing improvement he gained from playing with T-Mac all summer. Miller became a more all-round player in his sophomore year with a more developed post game and an improved shot selection. Like Grant Hill, Mike would face injuries that would sideline him on and off during the year. Monty Williams would step up in Miller absence and gave the Magic an inside presence. Jed Buechler and Jaron Jackson played limited minutes and I doubt they will remain on the team for much longer.

SHOOTING GUARD:
Tracy McGrady, Dee Brown

With a superstar in Tracy McGrady, it is pretty safe to say that the shooting guard position for the Orlando Magic is in good hands for more than the next 10 years. Probably the most complete player in the NBA at the young age of 23. After his breakout season last year, T-Mac didn't disappoint as he joined the elite of NBA stars by being named to the All-NBA first team and making his second All-Star appearance. T-Mac defense was suppose to rise with the return Grant Hill to take some of the pressure off of T-Mac on the offensive side of the court, but he was forced to carry the load on both sides of the court and limiting the amount of energy he could put into the defense side. With the return of Grant Hill I look for T-Mac to improve defensively and his assist go up with Grant Hill's scoring ability. Next year with a healthy Grant Hill I believe T-Mac should get consideration for the MVP trophy. Dee Brown was pulled from the front office to help a team battling injuries; he is now coaching in the WNBA.

POINT GUARD:
Darrell Armstrong, Troy Hudson, Jeryl Sasser

Darrell Armstrong has been the heart and soul of this team dating back to the days of Shaq and Penny. He is a leader on the court and off. He doesn't look like much, but he gives everything he has every night and plays his heart out. Armstrong finally started to show some signs of aging and probably doesn't have too many years left in his tank. Troy Hudson was the biggest surprise for me this year. Pretty much a waste of space on the bench last year, T-Hud improved his shooting percentage and shot selection. He tripled his scoring average and played a similar role as Allen Iverson, using his quickness to score in the lane. He should receive a nice contract, but it probably won't be from the Orlando Magic. When thinking of Jeryl Sasser the only word that comes to mind is BUST. To think that the Orlando Magic could have drafted either Jamal Tinsley or Tony Parker makes me sick to my stomach. Hopefully he can make an improvement like T-Hud did last year, but the chances of that are slim.

IV. COACHING/MANAGEMENT

Doc Rivers in my opinion is one of the best coaches in the league today. After winning Coach of the Year his rookie year, he followed it up with two great seasons for the injuries and players he had on his team. Doc is a first class guy and is on his way to the elite class of coaches in the NBA. Doc also has one of the best coaching staffs working under him in Johnny Davis, Dave Wohl, Tom Sterner, and Paul Pressey. General Manager John Gabriel is probably one of the best at his job in the game today. He made keys moves to free up cap space to sign Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill and almost lured Tim Duncan from the Alamo. He even figured out a way to clear enough cap space to make a run at Tim Duncan again in the big summer of free agents in the 2003. Even if they don't sign Duncan, they will still have a shot at the likes of Jermaine O'Neal, Antonio McDyess, or Jason Kidd. Pat Williams and Julius Erving bring get experience and knowledge to round out the front office.

V. PAST DRAFT PICKS

V. TEAM NEEDS

A blind man could see that the Orlando Magic need help with rebounds, an inside presents, and blocking shots. They could also use a point guard to replace Darrell Armstrong who is close to the end of his career and to have insurance incase they don't resign Troy Hudson. With plenty of cash to throw at Duncan, O'Neal, and McDyess, I feel they should look for a point guard of the future instead of just drafting another stiff when Declercq already has that position on our team. Also with a year under his belt I feel Steven Hunter will solve some of the problems the Magic faced last year.

VI. MY SELECTION:

Dan Dickau, PG, 6'0", Gonzaga

Looking at the Draft like John Gabriel and Doc Rivers, I figured Dan Dickau is the right choice if they stay at the 18th position. I know the Magic need help in the paint, but in all reality how much of an improvement will you receive from a center or power forward this late in the draft. I would rather address our needs for a power forward or center through free agency and draft a skilled point guard at the 18th pick. This is the perfect guy to fill in at the point guard spot for the Magic. He is a sharp shooter, who is can score off of double teams when T-Mac and Grant Hill kick out the ball. He has been compared to Steve Nash and John Stockton both Gonzaga guys, so that is a big plus. Who better to learn how to play the point guard spot from during the summer than one of the greatest point guards of all-time in John Stockton? His stock is on the rise and could be a steal at the 18th pick.

VII. OTHER PLAYERS CONSIDER:

Melvin Ely: A senior who could step in and provide help at the 4 and maybe even the 5 spot for the Magic next year. He had a bad workout so I felt he wasn't the right solution.

Carlos Boozer: A proven winner although undersized power forward. Has a huge wing span of a 7'2" player and a body that could bang in the paint. He also has a post presents that would benefit the Magic greatly.

Frank Williams: Another point guard I was considering, but he has no shot which I believe is very important in the eyes of Gabe and Doc. He does bring size and defense and is consider to be this year's Jamal Tinsley, but I am not sold on him yet.

Kareem Rush: How could I not consider Rush? He has lottery talent and could be a good player to trade if Gabe is looking to clear more cap space for the summer of 2003.

VIII. OFFSEASON MOVES

Well we still need to find some kind of answer for the power forward and center spot. Steven Hunter might be able to step in after a year learning the ropes, but he still might be a year away from contributing. For our own free agents, I let T-Hud walk and resign Garrity to a 2 year deal with a team option in the last year. Dickau will replace T-Hud and should fit in nicely with the rest of the team. If Garrity spent all summer working out and developed some post moves and learned how to box out, I think he will continue to be our starting power forward. Doc loves him and I don't see him going anywhere. Garrity will be place on the bench after we sign our future power forward in McDyess or Duncan so there is hope. Some other moves that make sense would be signing Charles Oakley, Scott Williams, or bring back Doleac for a year. Oakley would bring something we lacked in the playoffs, toughness. Scott Williams is getting up there in age, but his presents on the Magic would be valuable for the team as they push for the playoffs. Doleac knows the system and is a seven foot that would probably come cheap. Andy Katz on ESPN has been spreading the rumor of Mike Miller and the 18th pick for Stromile Swift and the 4th pick. If I am the Magic I do this trade in a heart beat, but I don't think Jerry West would go for that. Just to recap, I say the Magic should resign Garrity and let T-Hud walk. Draft Dickau to fill in T-Hud place and sign Oakley to a one year contract. Then I start the season off with a beefed up Steven Hunter at center, Oakley at power forward, Mike Miller at small forward, T-Mac at shooting guard, and Grant Hill playing point guard.