Forward has become arguably the deepest position on the roster for the Magic. It can be argued that Orlando did not have one true Power Forward on their roster. Well, that has changed. Brandon Bass is a natural PF and a pretty damn good one too. Orlando also added Small Forward Matt Barnes and Ryan Anderson, who has PF size, but can probably play either position.
I’ve already previewed the guards here.
Small Forwards
Matt Barnes
2008-09 Statistics: 77 games played, 27.0 minutes per game, 10.2 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game, .7 steals per game, .423 Field goal percentage, .343 3-point percentage
Last season while with the Phoenix Suns, Barnes earned more starts and saw more playing time than ever before in his NBA career. He put those minutes to good use, averaging career-highs in points, rebounds and assists.
Barnes is a solid all-around player, but he’s known more for his toughness and willingness to defend himself and his teammates no matter the situation. Barnes is embracing his enforcer role and he talked about it at media day.
"It’s just the way I play and the way I’ve been brought up. I was always just real rough. That kind of just translated over with being an enforcer and an intimidator. That’s just who I am. It’s not like I’m going out and trying to pick fights or anything but I’m just a tough-minded, tough-nosed kind of guy and I’m not going to let anyone push me or push any of my teammates around."
The Magic have needed a guy like Barnes for the toughness that he possesses, but his other talented should not be overlooked. He has started three of the five preseason games he has played in, averaging 26.0 minutes per game. He has the ball fairly well (.452 FG%, .333 3PT%, .929 FT%) and is scoring 9.2 ppg. He’s been a good rebounder, collecting 5.0 per game has passes the ball well (2.8 apg).
Barnes’ best attributes don’t show up on the stat sheet. He is an excellent defender and provides a much needed energy on both sides of the floor. He is a hustle player. I imagine that Barnes will be the opening night starter at Small Forward and with Pietrus’ desire to come off of the bench, I don’t think he’ll relinquish that role.
Matt Barnes on team chemistry:
"I think it’s very important. I’ve heard people say you don’t have to like your teammates, you don’t have to do this, you don’t have to do that and I think that’s all really bullshit. I think you have to get along on and off the court. If you’re friends with someone off the court, you’ll do more for them on the court.If you’ll die for your teammates on and off the court, I think that’s the best way to be about your business and that’s what makes successful teams."
Mickael Pietrus
2008-09 Statistics: 54 GP, 24.6 mpg, 9.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.2apg, .6 spg, .413 FG%, .359 3PT%
I wasn’t sure where to put Pietrus. He is a natural Shooting Guard, but he will log heavy minutes at Small Forward and may even start there, so I’m going to list him at both positions.
Mickael Pietrus has been known as a solid defender and sometimes explosive player throughout his career, but he really had a breakout performance during the postseason last year. He averaged 10.5 ppg and played pretty solid defense on some of the best players in the NBA, including LeBron James. He hit several big shots (the 3-pointer from the wing has become his specialty) that helped the Magic advance to the NBA Finals.
Pietrus looks like he is ready to build on his outstanding postseason. In four preseason games, Pietrus is averaging 14 points per game on .526% shooting, including an incredible .571% from beyond the arc.
It is unknown if Pietrus will be a starter or if he will come off of the bench. Pietrus actually said he prefers to come off of the bench.
"I like to come off the bench. I don’t mind if Matt Barnes starts. It’s just a matter of winning a championship.I don’t mind if guys start or come off the bench. It’s all about team here and getting this team to the next level. That’s what I’m looking for. I want to give my team the best energy to win basketball games."
Pietrus has starter’s numbers but with the additions of Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson and Matt Barnes, Van Gundy may be able to fulfill Pietrus’ wish of coming off of the bench. Pietrus will most likely still log around 20-25 minutes per game whether he’s coming off of the bench or he’s starting.
Mickael Pietrus on his wrist injury:
"I want to take care of my wrist first and make sure when I come back in camp we have a good team and we’re not missing anybody. I can’t wait to start tomorrow. I’m happy to see all the guys. We went to the finals last year and I want to go back again. You can tell this flag up here is fresh (Pietrus pointed to the 2008-09 Eastern Conference Champions banner)."
Linton Johnson III
2008-09 Statistics: 10 gp, 5.3 mpg 1.1 ppg, 1.0 rpg, .3 apg, .364 FG%, .305 3PT%
Johnson is a veteran who is playing for his ninth team in his seventh NBA season. He did wind up playing in three playoff games for the Bulls last season, scoring 1.3 ppg and grabbing 1.3 rpg in 3.3 mpg.
He has played in just four games for the Magic this preseason, averaging 4.5 mpg. He has scored just four total points and is grabbing .8 rpg. Although Johnson has some talent and decent size, like guard Morris Almond, I don’t see him making any kind of impact with the Magic even if he does make the team.
Orlando Magic Daily on Linton Johnson:
"Johnson is a dark horse to make the opening-night roster. But a solid performance in training camp could help Johnson earn a roster spot later in the season if injuries were to hit the Magic and they were looking for some short-term help."
Power Forwards
Rashard Lewis
2008-09 Statistics: 79 GP, 17.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.0 spg, .6 bpg, .439 FG%, .397 3PT%.
Lewis is actually a natural Small Forward, but he can play either position. In fact, he has played Power Forward in both seasons he has spent with the Orlando Magic and that’s where he is expected to remain. That’s probably a good thing since Lewis was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as a Power Forward last season.
Lewis has always been a very good player and borderline All-Star but he really came on to the national scene in the postseason last year. He hit big shot after big shot and even hit game winning in shot in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He also gave the Magic a 2-point lead with a big 3-pointer at the end of game 4 before Mickael Pietrus was called for a phantom foul on LeBron James, who tied it at the free throw line. The Magic won the game in overtime.
Lewis has had a very solid preseason offensively. He has started four games, two at each of the Forward positions. He is scoring 17.3 ppg on lights-out shooting (.512 FG%, .440 3PT%). Lewis’ preseason came to an end after the fifth game because Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy wants his team to get used playing without him. Lewis is suspended for Orlando’s first 10 games after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
When Lewis returns, he should play the same type of role that has played in each of his previous two seasons with the Magic. He has improved as a defender in each of his two seasons with the Magic and should be able to become even better now that he gets to practice against a big banger PF (Brandon Bass) and a PF with a game similar to his (Ryan Anderson). Lewis led the league in 3-pointers taken and made last season and I expect him to take (and make) a lot of threes again and give himself a chance to make the All-Star team again (but it will be much harder thanks to Orlando’s addition of eight-time All-Star Vince Carter and even moreso because of his suspension).
Rashard Lewis on sitting out the first 10 games:
"It’s not hard at all. Like I said, it’s only 10 games and that doesn’t make or break the season. I think our guys are talented enough and we have a coaching staff that’s good enough to hold the team down for those 10 games and I think we’ll still be one of the best teams in the league after those 10 games and my main is I want to make sure I’m in shape and on top of game so when I come back to not disrupt the rhythm, just kind of jump right in and keep flowing with the team."
Brandon Bass
2008-09 Statistics: 81 GP, 19.4 mpg, 8.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, .5 apg, .7 bpg, .496 FG%
Brandon Bass put up career-highs in scoring, rebounding and games played last season. He was pretty highly-sought after during Free Agency, most likely due to his age (only 24) and his reputation as an extremely hard-worker. In fact, his new teammates have already noticed how hard he works. Dwight Howard has this say about Barnes,
"Brandon Bass just wants to work hard"
You have to be happy when your teams’ franchise player and captain says that about you.
Bass has had a very productive preseason. He has started two of the five games he has played in, scoring 12. 4 ppg. Stan Van Gundy said that’d he like to see Bass rebound the ball better after their game with the Rockets and has done a little bit better job, grabbing 5.4 rpg. Bass has taught us a lot about his game during the preseason. I knew that Bass had a pretty good jip-shot, but it’s much better than I thought. Bass rarely misses from in between 15 and 18 feet. He also is a hustle player, much like Matt Barnes.
Also like Barnes, Bass is going to provide a lot of toughness and physical play. Bass will bring good energy, rebound and run the floor, scoring when he is asked to. He has no problem being the team’s garbage man and has stated on numerous occasions that he will take whichever role is given to him and embrace it.
Bass may wind up being the team’s opening-night starter because of Lewis’ suspension, but he may be the back-up to Ryan Anderson due to Anderson and Lewis having similar games. Even though Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy has entertained the idea of starting Lewis at Small Forward (Van Gundy has started Lewis at SF twice during the preseason), I’d expect Lewis to start at PF upon his return. No matter what happens, Bass should play more minutes than he has at any other time in his career and should be able to take advantage of it. He will be a match-up nightmare for PFs who are ready to chase Rashard Lewis and Ryan Anderson out to the 3-point line. Bass can post them up and use his big body frame inside or he can hit his soon-to-be patented jumper. Either way, I’d expect Bass to have the best season of his career.
Brandon Bass on his role with the Magic:
"My role is to run, bring a lot of energy, rebound on both ends and be a versatile scorer, meaning post catches, shooting and driving to the basket. Just a variety of things they want me to do, but most all just coming out here every night and giving it my best."
Ryan Anderson
2008-09 Statistics: 66 gp, 30 starts, 19.9 mpg, 7.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, .8 apg, .393 FG%, .365 3PT%
Ryan Anderson has been the biggest surprise of the preseason for the Magic. The second-year man out California had an underrated rookie season for the Nets last season and is known around the league as nothing more than a throw-in in the Vince Carter trade. That is going to change very soon. He started 30 games for the Nets and was a pretty good shooter, but he never really got into a shooting rhythm.
He’s gotten into one now. Anderson is played in five preseason games, starting two. He is averaging 14.8 ppg on outstanding shooting a FG% of .469 and an unreal 3-point % of .514. He has made several big plays and really came through in some clutch spots against the Bulls on Monday. He hit a 3-pointer t give Orlando a 2-point lead with 39 seconds left, won a jump-ball and stole the in-bounds pass on the game’s final play with the Magic up by two.
Anderson is going to play a pretty big role for the Magic. He’s a hustle player and sharpshooter. In fact, Dwight Howard has nick-named him “new Pat Garrity.” Anderson has a game similar to Rashard Lewis’ which is great for the Magic. They can plug Anderson in at PF and run the exact same offense as they would with Rashard at PF. With Brandon Bass or possibly(but unlikely) even Marcin Gortat at PF, the Magic would have to change their philosophy.
Matt Barnes on Ryan Anderson:
"Ryan’s good. Ryan works out with me all summer in Sacramento. So I know what Ryan can do. Ryan’s very quiet and I think he’ll be maybe looked over but once everyone sees him with a consistent chance to play, you’ll know that Ryan Anderson can definitely play."
Next, I’ll preview Orlando’s Centers.
(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger. Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)