(Another) Off-Day Open Thread: Addressing the Orlando Magic's Glut of Shooting Guards
Two authors may occasionally mean two off-day open threads. Be sure to read erivera7's Eastern Conference All-Star ballot from earlier today. - BQR
Orlando Magic rookie shooting guard Courtney Lee is having a great season. How great? David Thorpe of ESPN.com breaks it down:
Among rookies, Lee is tied for first (with Derrick Rose) in field goal percentage, fifth in true shooting percentage, fifth in turnover rate and fifth in defensive rebound rate.
The stats show that he scores efficiently, handles the ball well, and rebounds at an impressive rate. And he's the Magic's best perimeter defender. So, yeah. That's why we like him.
Meanwhile, Keith Bogans is struggling. Mickael Pietrus has apparently earned his starting job back--Bogans started the last two games, even though Pietrus was healthy--and Lee's playing so well that Brian Schmitz thinks he's leapfrogged Bogans in the rotation. IRONY ALERT: for the second straight season, J.J. Redick is stuck behind three shooting guards. Remember last season when Otis Smith said Redick could become the team's backup depending on what Bogans, Maurice Evans and Keyon Dooling did in free agency? Bogans used his player option to stay with the Magic, Evans signed with the Hawks, Dooling engineered a sign-and-trade to the Nets... and the Magic replaced Evans and Dooling with Pietrus and Lee anyway. No steps forward, no steps back for J.J. And for Redick, in his third season, not stepping forward is stepping back.
(Also funny: according to Schmitz, Bogans' teammates have nicknamed him "Double 0-7" because he shot 0-for-7 against the Warriors. Ouch, guys. Ouch.)
So my question to the 3QC community is this: if it were up to you, how would you divide the Magic's shooting guard minutes? Who would start the game? And, more importantly, who would finish it, assuming the game were on the line? Fire away in the comments.
Comments
imao
MP is the starter
The Rook is the 6th man
Bogans and JJ see little to no pt
Out with the old, in with the new
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
by Eyriq the Red on
Dec 23, 2008 7:49 PM EST
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Pietrus, Lee, Bogans
Pietrus should be receiving the most minutes because he seems to have the athleticism to guard NBA elite SGs. Not to say Lee or Bogans can’t; but Pietrus seems to be a better fit as the starting 2guard. Also, $25 million is a lot to pay a guy coming off the bench. But Lee has shown that he can contribute in a lot of different ways. I still like Keith, but more as a 3rd option or SF option. If we can get a 1st round pick for JJ, that would be fantastic. Otherwise, I don’t see him netting us much in a trade. It must drive JJ crazy to see a rookie pass him on the depth chart. JJ will enjoy a great career in Tel Aviv or Moscow.
by L Magico on
Dec 23, 2008 7:55 PM EST
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I love Peaches
Didn’t he miss a lay-up last night, get his own rebound, dish it out, then get open for a three?
by jewfiz on
Dec 23, 2008 9:19 PM EST
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Same opinion as all of the above…seems to be a no-brainer.
by FLYNN47 on
Dec 23, 2008 10:36 PM EST
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Pietrus
Lee
JJ Reddick
trade Bogans cause JJ isn’t worth much. As a third string shooting guard, he’s not terrible.
by magic fanatic on
Dec 24, 2008 12:34 PM EST
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Pietrus starting of course, and Lee and Bogans split almost down the middle with a slight edge toward Lee…J.J. used for garbage time…
by GIC3 on
Dec 24, 2008 12:50 PM EST
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