John Denton reports that Jameer Nelson will still be the starter when he returns.
"But Van Gundy has already starting formulating his plan as to how he will re-incorporate Nelson into the rotation. And once Nelson is up to full speed, Van Gundy expects him to be the starter.“It doesn’t change a whole lot, to be honest,’’ said Van Gundy, after the Magic (16-4) finished preparations on Monday for Tuesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. “(Nelson) is the starter and J-Will will go back to being the back-up and I don’t think that affects the other guys very much.“It does affect play-calling a little bit. (Nelson) is another guy I feel very comfortable running plays for, so that makes it easier when we start rotating guys. You want to have at least one or two of those guys out there all the time. I don’t think there will be much adjustment for anybody other than (Williams and Johnson). You never know about the first game back, but as soon as he’s practiced and ready to go, Jameer will start.’’"
Read Denton’s story here.
Jack Jensen says that Jason Williams is the Southeast division’s most improved player.
"Jason Williams, Orlando Magic.The Southeast division was the toughest for me to decide on—post below if you have a case for a guy—and Williams popped into my mind. Not because he has made the most improvement from his last season in the League, but because he has been just as surprising a find as anyone in the NBA this year. If only the NBA still had a Comeback POY award, White Chocolate would have to be near the top of the list. Williams is the Birdman of last year (Minus the two-year drug ban), after choosing to sit and utilize his League Pass subscription instead of playing during the 2008-09 season. With Jameer Nelson lost to (another) injury in mid-November, Williams has been thrust into the starting role as floor general. He is not putting up the same numbers as he did during his Kings/Grizzlies heyday, but he is playing solid, veteran basketball. He is leading the League in assist/turnover ratio with 5.00, while also averaging 7.4 points, 5 dimes and nearly a steal a game in 25 minutes per. The 6-1 guard has surely answered any critics as to if he can still ball. Williams is a major reason why Orlando is leading the division and hasn’t missed a beat since Nelson’s exit."
Read that story here.
Brian Schmitz takes a look at life on the road for the Magic.
"Just imagine the possibilities of life on the road as an NBA millionaire.Lunching off the Pacific ocean? Night-clubbing in Beverly Hills? Hobnobbing in Hollywood?Carter’s day: Room service, a nap, some TV . . . and then more room service at dinner.Not exactly Vin-sanity, huh?“I’m a homebody on the road,” he said. “Mr. Room Service.”"
Read that story here.
The Magic have no plans to trade either Marcin Gortat or Brandon Bass.
"Magic General Manager Otis Smith said he has no plans to deal either C Marcin Gortat or PF Brandon Bass, even though he can trade them starting Dec. 15.“It’s the same as it was before. I’m happy with those guys,” Smith said on Monday after the club finished practice in Los Angeles.Neither Gortat nor Bass can be dealt until that date because they were signed to free-agent deals this summer.The Magic re-signed Gortat, then a restricted free agent, to a five-year, $34 million contract, matching the Dallas Mavs’ offer. Orlando signed Bass as an unrestricted free agent for four years, $18 million.Smith plans on holding onto Gortat, who expressed his frustration over a lack of playing time last Wednesday. Bass had not been happy being buried on the bench until seeing more action recently."
Read that and other notes on the Magic here.
The Magic are now #2 in Marc Stein’s power rankings.
"They’ve won seven in a row on the road. They’ve gone 8-1 since losing Jameer. They’ve won biggies at Boston and Atlanta and sit one disputed Miami basket away from an 11-game win streak. They’ve got to be No. 2."
See the complete rankings here.
Eddy Rivera takes a look at the Magic using Synergy Sports here. Check it out, there is a lot of telling information.
(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger and a contributor at NFL Mocks Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)