Everyone is expecting a slow start to the upcoming season. So, I thought I would give my impression of what I think you should expect to see in the next few weeks.
Yes, the Magic have a slew of new players - but they are professionals. It will take time for them to gel and learn the system, but I don't think it will take long. Three of the starters played together last year. Kelvin Cato, Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley are ready to go on day one. I feel that this team came together well during camp and you will see a good team giving 100% every night. The games they lose will not be because they don't have talent or effort.
We already know three of the starters, lets go over the rest. The big questions are who fills in the small forward and power forward positions. If Grant Hill @ESPN" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2626" target="_blank">Grant Hill is healthy, the small forward position is a no brainer. Expect Hill to start at small forward and even play some point. At power forward, we have a delima. Even though I want him to be the starting power forward, I just do not think Dwight Howard @ESPN" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3818" target="_blank">Dwight Howard is ready. So, the question is do we start Tony Battie @ESPN" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3176" target="_blank">Tony Battie and bring Dwight Howard along slowly, or do we let Dwight Howard play and work out the kinks. Tough decision for me. If the rest of the team is playing well enough, I say let Howard learn the ropes early.
Expect the Magic to cut four players soon. The Magic signed Earl Barron, Corsley Edwards, Jemeil Rich and Ajani Williams to fill out the roster for training camp. These are the four most likely to be cut before the start of the season. Additionally, the Magic can only keep 12 players on the active roster. Look for Mario Kasun, Andrew DeClercq and possibly DeShawn Stevenson, Keith Bogans @ESPN" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3746" target="_blank">Keith Bogans or Michael Bradley to be put on the disabled list.
Be patient with this team. There is talent, effort and depth on this team. There is no reason they cannot make the playoffs in the very weak division and conference. Support your Magic team. We had a couple lazy players last year that put in half the effort. Let us show our new team that our fans are real. We give 110% support every night, players and fans.
