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Ball Don't Lie

Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:00 pm EST

Orlando should take a long, hard look at the D-League

By J.E. Skeets

As you might have noticed, the talk of Internet Town today is Jameer Nelson's shoulder injury and what moves (if any) the Magic should try and do to remain a championship contender.

(Apparently, 48 minutes of 36-year-old Anthony Johnson runnin' the show scares some people. Ha! Remember the titan!)

Possible point guard back-ups and/or replacements being thrown around include, in no particular order: Stephon Marbury, Jamaal Tinsley, Carlos Arroyo, Sergio Rodriguez, Ramon Sessions, Earl Watson, Chucky Atkins, Kyle Lowry, Earl Boykins, Jannero Pargo and that stocky guy in the Pacers jersey who never shares the rock down at the Y.

But what about the D-League? Are there not any playmakers kicking around Boise or Anaheim that could help Johnson, Hedo Turkoglu and Courtney Lee shore up that Magic one-spot?

Well, that's the exact question I threw at Scott from Ridiculous Upside last night and he delivered in spades, profiling six or seven promising D-League options for Magic GM Otis Smith to chew on.

RU's No. 1 choice: D-League All-Star Maurice Baker of the Dakota Wizards ...

He's a heady veteran whose won championships, can run the pick and roll, and knows what he's doing out on the court. Mo has the intangibles, he's been called-up a couple of times before, and he's the best in the D-League at getting to the basket and creating for his teammates. Last night, he had an off-night, making just four of his 12 shot attempts, but made up for it with eight assists and 12 rebounds, including two big offensive boards toward the end of the fourth quarter to keep a big possession alive. This season, Baker is averaging 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

Check out Ridiculous Upside for the complete list.

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73 Comments

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  1. A.
    1. Posted by A. Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:00 pm EDT

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    Maybe they should explore the option of trading for Steve Nash. I heard he's the one "untouchable" piece for the Suns, but who knows?
  2. Mark E
    2. Posted by Mark E Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    This completely sucks. Jameer was having a great year, finally made the Allstar team. Talk about bad timing. Anyway, if he opts to have the surgery now, which he should, I wouldn't mind seeing Pargo. He kills it from 3 and is a pretty good facilitator. He would be a good fit. Chucky Atkins might work as well, but then we would have two old point guards without necks.
  3. SickS
    3. Posted by SickS Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:21 pm EDT

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    steve nash..haha...good one...signing any of those guys might ruin the team
    chemistry..ie: watson, tinsley , adn even steph....i say go try to sign Arroyo.. he' s been with the team before..knows the system.
  4. Jaceman
    4. Posted by Jaceman Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

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    How about:
    JULIUS HODGE!?
  5. Jaceman
    5. Posted by Jaceman Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

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    Seriously though, the Magic need to find someone who they can relegate back to being a reserve once Nelson returns, you have to look beyond this season unless you trade for an expiring. That's why I'm tenative on Earl Watson. I say, if Otis is willing to make a big splash, take Jared Jeffries's contract, but also try Nate Robinson and David Lee too.
  6. BornWizdom
    6. Posted by BornWizdom Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:11 pm EDT

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    Orlando put all its chips on jameer nelson as their starter for the present and the future. There is no way they'll attempt to bring in another starter just for the remainder of this season. If they don't dig into the d-league I could see kyle lowry being a legitimate choice. Sessions might be hard to grab since the redd injury and marbury and tinsley both have character issues. Otis smith already stated that character is a huge deciding factor on players to put on his roster.
  7. Hambone
    7. Posted by Hambone Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    They should just structure their offense around shooting 3's, and then occasionally shooting a fake three that's really a lob to Dwight Howard. Rashard, Hedu, JJ and Lee on the court, spread out beyond the arc. It might actually kill Hubie Brown.
  8. Mark E
    8. Posted by Mark E Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    I think they really need to look at trading some of their expiring contracts and/or players that might have appeal else where. JJ Redick, Brian Cook, Adonal Foyle, maybe even Keith Bogans, are expendible at this point. The first three rarely play and Bogans real value is in his defense. With Pietrus healthy again (knock on wood) and Courtney Lee playing well, I think we could get by without Bogans.
  9. MIKE
    9. Posted by MIKE Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    julius hodge farts alot
  10. raymond b
    10. Posted by raymond b Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

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    Trade JJ and let him come back and burn you. I would love that. they never gave him a chance.
  11. Andrew P
    11. Posted by Andrew P Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:40 pm EDT

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    Why does everyone think the system run with arroyo this year is the same? Defensively its not even close, which was one of arroyo's biggest problems last year.
  12. mcwelk
    12. Posted by mcwelk Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:14 pm EDT

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    What about Marcus Williams from GState? He's sort of like Anthony Johnson, Jr. Plus, free laptop.
  13. Mark E
    13. Posted by Mark E Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    Raymond b, tell me about it. He wouldn't be the first player the Magic traded that did that. But, JJ just sits at the end of the bench most nights. His defense, though improved, isn't as good as Lee's Pietrus' or Bogans'. I think that is why he doesn't get the time he deserves. What he needs is to play for a team that needs 3 point shooters. The Magic have a glut and when that is all he really brings, it's hard to justify. Boston tried to trade for him, but they were offering three mules and a sack of oats.
  14. Jesus
    14. Posted by Jesus Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:14 pm EDT

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    The only thing J.J. will be burning are Julius Hodges farts
  15. G.C
    15. Posted by G.C Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:05 pm EDT

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    Orlando Magic should try looking in the D-League. Will Conroy down in Albuquerque might be the best choice
  16. 10FootBongz
    16. Posted by 10FootBongz Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:25 pm EDT

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    What's the big deal with just handing the reins over to AJ? This is the man who toasted Mr. Tripl-es Doub-les (in one of his last prime years) for 40 freaking points! Plus he has a kick-ass nickname.
  17. Chris
    17. Posted by Chris Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:54 pm EDT

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    Post#12.
    Marcus Williams. Good idea. I thought he'd have a solid year, but looks like that's not the case. Is he still as good as previously thought? Considering that Nelly will play anyone and everyone with at least one arm and a leg, you have to wonder why hasn't he given Marcus any time at all?
  18. Daniel T
    18. Posted by Daniel T Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    Isn't that stocky guy who never shares the rock down at the Y actually Jamaal Tinsley?
  19. alonzo_mourning_nets
    19. Posted by alonzo_mourning_nets Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    Please take Marcus Banks from the Heat (fingers crossed :-\ )
  20. nhughly
    20. Posted by nhughly Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    mcwelk that comment made me laugh haha
    free laptop
  21. guruguy87
    21. Posted by guruguy87 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    Sergio rodriguez should fit this job very well. Portland has plenty of other options at guard, and Orlando would not have to give up much to get him, give Martin Gorcat, as Portland could use another big man. Sergio should be a starter in this league and I would compare his passing skills to Jose Calderon, and is much younger than a steve nash, nor is he as expensive as nash. So the best fit is Sergio, and imagine the lob passes to Mr. Superman Dwight Howard.......WOW.
    So, I hope this is who they go for, but a couple of other players would fit nicely too, but none better than the stellar passing of Sergio rodriguez....
  22. malakasmenos
    22. Posted by malakasmenos Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:25 pm EDT

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    i think they should just play dwight at the point then trade for boykins and play him at the 5. the nba is changing the magic have to change with it. could u imagin a 6'11 rebounding and shot blocking machine with no range at the 1? sick. the nba would have to just forfeit the rest of season and hand the magic the championship now. and think about the speed of boykins playing center blowing past everyone and dominating in the post. just do it orlando trust me
  23. PTS P
    23. Posted by PTS P Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    Arroyo
  24. slyone_nyc
    24. Posted by slyone_nyc Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

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    They need to trade for mardy collins
  25. Michael T
    25. Posted by Michael T Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

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    call in the glove, and him dwight can hook up like him and shawn kemp

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Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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