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Orlando Magic Magic have legitmate shot at Atlantic Division title
Updated: Thursday October 04, 2001 5:53 PM
Perhaps no team in the Atlantic helped itself more than Orlando. The Magic not only welcome back All-Star forward Grant Hill, who sat out all of last season with an ankle injury, but they also signed veteran free agents Patrick Ewing and Horace Grant. Suddenly, the Magic went from a team fighting for a playoff spot to one with a legitimate shot at winning the division. Hill, whose says his ankle is 100 percent healed, will be asked to play point guard alongside superstar Tracy McGrady and Rookie of the Year Mike Miller. The idea is to create mismatches, while allowing incumbent point guard Darrell Armstrong to conserve his energy and provide a spark off the bench. And the 39-year-old Ewing will be asked to play defense, hit the boards and give just enough low-post scoring to keep opposing defenses honest.
The biggest problems for the Magic will be age and injury concerns. The loss of John Amaechi, who signed with Utah, leaves journeyman Andrew DeClercq as the only reliable backup in the event Ewing breaks down. Meanwhile, nobody knows if Hill's ankle will hold up all season. By going with older veterans, Orlando won't be able to play its trademark hustling, trapping defense as often as it has in the past. Head coach Doc Rivers might even have to incorporate some zone defense to keep the old geezers breathing. If the Magic can adjust without losing their identity, they could contend for the Atlantic title. Standout Stat: 11 Categories in which Tracy McGrady finished in the league's top 10.
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