If you're like me, you care about what NBA teams wear on the court. And, if you're like me, you want a distraction from all this draft madness taking place. We know the Magic are changing their logo and uniforms for this season, their 20th in the league. What we don't know is when we might see said new uniforms and logo. Let's look at some recent history so we have a better idea when we can line-up to buy our Courtney Lee jerseys.

• 2007: Atlanta Hawks
  • What they changed: their uniforms, their alternate logo, and the color scheme of their main logo.
  • When we saw it (or not...)
    • June 25th: the Hawks release a press kit which includes pictures of the new logos and new uniforms. Forward Josh Smith modeled the uniforms in the photos. The jersey number on both uniforms was 07 instead of Smith's usual 5.
    • June 28th: after NBA Commissioner David Stern called their names on draft night, the Hawks' selections were handed a ballcap bearing the team's new alternate logo. The new uniforms were nowhere to be found.
    • July 2nd: the Monday after the draft, Atlanta holds a press conference to introduce Al Horford and Acie Law IV, whom they selected in the draft:

      File photo by Todd Bennett, the Associated Press

• 2006: Charlotte Bobcats
  • What they changed: What they wear during certain road games; they introduced a "Bobcats Blue" alternate jersey.
  • When we saw it (or not...)
    • August 16th: the Bobcats call a press conference to unveil their new uniforms, with draftees/sexpots Sean May and Adam Morrison serving as models.
• 2006: Milwaukee Bucks
  • What they changed: their uniforms. They also updated their main logo with a new typeface to reflect the new jerseys' wordmark.
  • When we saw it (or not...)
    • June 28th: the team releases its new logo and color scheme.
    • September 28th: the Bucks unveil their new uniforms.
• 2003: Orlando Magic
  • What they changed: their uniforms.
  • When we saw it (or not...)
    • June 26th: none of the Magic's picks are on-hand during draft night, but it's a moot point, as teams drafting in the teens never have a custom jersey ready for their picks.
    • June 27th: Keith Bogans, Reece Gaines, and Zaza Pachulia arrive in Orlando for an introductory press conference. Still no sign of the new uniforms.
    • July 16th: the Magic's big free-agent signee, Juwan Howard, arrives in Orlando for his introductory press conference. Magic coach Doc Rivers presents him with a home version of the team's obsolete jersey, numbered 03:

      

      File photo by Phelan M. Ebanhack, the Associated Press

    • October 2nd: players wear the new uniforms for team photographs during media day. Zaza Pachulia was one of them:

      

      File photo by Peter Cosgrove, the Associated Press

What does this extremely limited sample-size tell us? That we could see the new goods as early as next week or as late as -- gulp -- October. At least we'll have free agency and potential trades to keep us occupied until then, should it take that long.

	vs.
37-43		50-30
Philips Arena
7:00 PM
Sun Sports, NBA TV
Probable starters:
Mike Bibby	PG	Jameer Nelson
Joe Johnson	SG	Maurice Evans
Josh Smith	SF	Hedo Turkoglu
Marvin Williams	PF	Rashard Lewis
Al Horford	C	Dwight Howard
Season series:
10 Dec 2007: Hawks 98, Magic 87
10 Mar 2008: Magic 123, Hawks 112
22 Mar 2008: Hawks 98, Magic 90

The Magic get a chance to even the score against the Hawks tonight when they meet at the Philips Arena. Atlanta the only team in the East this season that has a winning record against the Magic; the thirteen other teams in the conference have either lost or tied the season-series. In light of that, I decided to take a look at the four factors to see why the Hawks seem to have our number.

Puzzling. Versus Atlanta, we shoot about the same and commit fewer turnovers, so what accounts for the huge drop in offensive efficiency as compared to our regular-season numbers? Poor free-throw shooting. We are an atrocious 46-of-76 from the stripe against the Hawks this year, or 60.5%. If we shot free throws at our regular-season clip, 72.2%, we would have scored 8 more points against the Hawks.

Through the three games in this series, the Hawks are +8. Ouch.

So yes indeed, our guys need to have their focus at the foul-line tonight if they hope to earn their 51st victory of the season. They'll also have to find some way to stop Joe Johnson, whose scoring output has increased (24, 27, 34) in each game against the Magic. Maurice Evans and Keith Bogans have their work cut out for them.

Speaking of defense, let's take a similar look at the Hawks' numbers to see on what else the Magic should focus on the other end of the floor...

There doesn't seem to be much wrong with our team defense against the Hawks this season. We've done a commendable job keeping Atlanta off the offensive glass and off the foul line. Our biggest problem has been defending the three-point line. Closing out the Hawks' shooters, especially Johnson and backcourt-mate Mike Bibby, should be another priority for us. Given our abysmal late-game defense against Minnesota on Friday night, I can't say I believe in our ability to do that.

Tipoff's at 7. Go Magic.

UPDATE: Brian Schmitz's preview at the Sentinel says that Stan Van Gundy will "slightly reduce" the minutes of Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Dwight Howard tonight. Interesting. Free James Augustine!

	vs.
29-39		46-25
Philips Arena
7:00 PM
FSN Florida
Probable starters:
Mike Bibby	PG	Jameer Nelson
Joe Johnson	SG	Maurice Evans
Josh Smith	SF	Hedo Turkoglu
Marvin Williams	PF	Rashard Lewis
Al Horford	C	Dwight Howard

Too exhausted to do a full preview. Check out the coverage at Orlando Magic Blog and Bold 'n' Blue. Fear Josh Smith and his 5x5 potential.

Go Magic.

	vs.
40-24		26-36
Amway Arena
7:00 PM
Sun Sports HD, NBA TV
Probable starters:
Jameer Nelson	PG	Mike Bibby
Maurice Evans	SG	Joe Johnson
Hedo Turkoglu	SF	Josh Smith
Rashard Lewis	PF	Marvin Williams
Dwight Howard	C	Al Horford
Season series:
10 Dec 2007: Hawks 98, Magic 87

This game is one we can't take lightly. The Hawks may be 10 games below .500, and they may be just 4-8 since acquiring Mike Bibby, but they always play us tough. Joe Johnson seems to be coming around a bit after a slow start to the year, averaging 26 points per game in his last five, including outbursts of 38 and 39 points. Mo Evans and Keith Bogans can slow him down, though. I think.

Other commitments beckon, so I have to cut this preview short. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Jameer Nelson is a game-time decision due to a sore right foot. For more on tonight's game, check out the previews at Bold 'n' Blue and Orlando Magic Blog.

The Magic appointed Otis Smith and Dave Twardzik co-general managers of the team on June 27th, 2005. Smith was later promoted to general manager, while Twardzik remains in charge of scouting. 3QC examines their draft history.

------------------------------------------------------

Note: The Magic also bought the rights to Marcin Gortat, whom the Phoenix Suns selected with the 57th overall pick in this draft.

Essentially, the Magic spent four draft picks on four players who have played a combined 49 games over two-plus seasons. Only one -- Gortat -- is still with the team, although it still has the rights to Vazquez. This draft probably could not have been worse for Orlando. Grade: F

------------------------------------------------------

Redick at least practices hard, but his poor defense has kept him on the bench behind Keith Bogans, Keyon Dooling, and Maurice Evans. Augustine had value last week as an expiring contract, but the Magic didn't trade him. Still, the fact that Redick at least has potential makes this draft look a little better than the previous one. Grade: D

------------------------------------------------------

Note: The Magic were without their first-round pick because they sent it to Detroit as part of the trade that brought Carlos Arroyo and Darko Milicic to Orlando; Detroit used that pick on Rodney Stuckey. Additionally, the Magic sold another second-round pick, 54th overall, to Houston, which drafted Brad Newley.

The Magic have literally nothing to show from this draft, but that's actually not so bad. Otis Smith knew his team would be strapped for cash after signing a premiere free-agent, which Smith did just days later, when he reached a sign-and-trade agreement with the Seattle SuperSonics, who sent Rashard Lewis to Orlando. Still, the other teams in the division got an infusion of young talent (Atlanta: Al Horford; Charlotte: Brandan Wright, used to obtain Jason Richardson; Miami: Daequan Cook; Washington: Nick Young), while the Magic stayed the same. Still, the view from atop the Southeast sure is nice... Grade: C-

------------------------------------------------------

Smith and Twardzik have presided over three drafts for the Magic, yet have have not improved the team at all. Imagine Monta Ellis throwing lobs to Dwight Howard on fast-breaks, or Paul Millsap hauling down some much-needed offensive boards. To be fair, plenty of teams passed on those players, but the fact remains: the draft is a viable way for teams to acquire young talent. For Smith and Twardzik to fail this miserably, year-after-year, is unacceptable.

------------------------------------------------------

Stay tuned for more evaluations of Otis Smith's tenure as Orlando Magic general manager.

• John Denton of Florida Today spoke to Otis Smith over the weekend. Here's some of what Otis said:

  If I can find a bigger body who can play, well then great. But it has to make sense for us because I'm not doing a deal just because some other teams are dealing.

  Denton believes the Seattle SuperSonics have made Kurt Thomas and Chris Wilcox available, but that Smith hasn't been able to put together an attractive enough package for them. My belief? Otis will make a deal before the deadline, even if it's a minor one. Carlos Arroyo will probably be the bait.

• Thanks to TexSUN for posting NBA dunk contest highlights in the diaries.
• Regarding the Superman dunk: I didn't think it was that great. The costume and pageantry really sold it; the dunk itself wasn't impressive. Hell, of the four dunks Dwight did, it ranked third. The tap dunk and behind-the-backboard windmill were more difficult.
  • The Superman nickname is going to haunt Dwight and the Magic for a while, especially when the green-clad Celtics do a number on us in the playoffs. Prepare for Kryptonite-themed headlines...
• Division Rival Watch: The Hawks obtained Mike Bibby from the Kings over the weekend. Bibby is only slightly better-than-average, but he basically assures the Hawks a playoff spot. Atlanta is a possible first-round opponent for Orlando, so we need to keep an eye out on how they fare the rest of the season.
  • Bibby, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford... that's a pretty good team.
• MagicManEvan started his own Magic blog over the weekend. It's called Bold 'n' Blue. Check it out.
• UPDATE: Forgot to mention this note in the first update: Marcin Gortat turned 24 years old on Sunday. Happy belated birthday, Marcin! Here's hoping you see some playing time before your 25th birthday.

We've got the Pistons tomorrow night. See you in the preview thread later.

Sixers4Guidos, which bills itself as the first Italian blog for 76ers fans, is hosting the fourth round of NBA MVP/ROY rankings as voted on by bloggers. BrewHoop hosted Round 1, Clips Nation hosted Round 2, and 3 Shades of Blue hosted Round 3. Dwight Howard came in third place in MVP voting in this edition. Shockingly, Marcin Gortat was nowhere to be found in ROY voting.

Look after the jump to see the ballot and comments I sent to Sixers4Guidos for them to compile. I'm surprised that I was the only person who gave Daequan Cook any ROY votes. He's good, people!

Continue reading this post »

	vs.
16-5		9-10
Amway Arena
7:00 PM
FSN Florida
Probable starters:
Jameer Nelson	PG	Anthony Johnson
Keith Bogans	SG	Joe Johnson
Hedo Turkoglu	SF	Josh Smith
Rashard Lewis	PF	Marvin Williams
Dwight Howard	C	Al Horford

Very abbreviated preview today. It's the last week of school and I have projects to finish and exams for which to study. Sorry about that.

• That refined Hawks logo sure is sharp, but I wish they kept the away uniforms red instead of changing them to dark blue.
• Hoopinion, which covers the Hawks, doesn't think that Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis pose as much a threat to Atlanta as Carlos Arroyo and Jameer Nelson do:

  Atlanta has demonstrated no ability to guard quick point guards at any point this season. If Anthony Johnson and Acie Law IV create a third option for Orlando's offense, the game could be out of hand before the Hawks have a chance to start warming up early for the third quarter.

• Tim Povtak reports that Keyon Dooling practiced with the starters over the weekend. Keith Bogans won't know if he can play until just before tip-off.
  • UPDATE: John Denton reports that Bogans has iced his sore thigh and feels good enough to start tonight.
• Bethlehem Shoals thinks Dwight Howard should have won the dunk contest this year and should be favored to win it this year. I'm sure Bullets Forever will have something to say about that, given its campaign to get Nick Young into dunk-contest contention.
• If Joe Johnson and Josh Smith go off on us tonight, well, at least I have them on my fantasy team.

Register your pre-, in-, and post-game comments here.

	vs.
0-0		0-0
Amway Arena
7:00 PM
Probable starters:
Speedy Claxton	PG	Jameer Nelson
Joe Johnson	SG	Keith Bogans
Marvin Williams	SF	Hedo Turkoglu
Josh Smith	PF	Rashard Lewis
Zaza Pachulia	C	Dwight Howard

After a week fine-tuning their skills at "Camp Van Gundy", the Orlando Magic look to open the preseason with a victory over the new-look Atlanta Hawks.

The Magic have a new coach and a new superstar, as well as three open slots in the starting lineup. Tonight, Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson will fight to keep their starting jobs, while J.J. Redick and Keith Bogans will make their cases to start at shooting guard and fill the void Grant Hill left when he departed for Phoenix in free-agency. Newcomers Kevin Kruger and Torrell Martin will battle with veteran Bo Outlaw for the final roster spot.

It's the start of a new era for Atlanta as well, as the Hawks look to see how well center Al Horford and point guard Acie Law IV, their lottery picks in this year's draft, fit in with the core duo of All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson and power forward Josh Smith.

Indeed, these division rivals have plenty to prove, not just to one another, but to themselves and to their coaches.