Denton's Wednesday Notes
By John Denton
January 13, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
DENVER, Colo. – Orlando Magic guard/forward Mickael Pietrus entered the season with the goal of making the NBA’s All-Defensive team and he certainly took a step toward reaching that feat with his lockdown performance Tuesday night in Sacramento.
When the Magic had trouble keeping dynamic Sacramento rookie point guard Tyreke Evans out of the lane on dribble penetration, coach Stan Van Gundy switched Pietrus onto him. The thinking was that Pietrus had the length and the strength to match the talents of the 6-foot-3 Evans, the leading candidate for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year.
Pietrus’ ability to stay in front of Evans and shut off his driving lanes to the hoop played a big role in Orlando limiting the Kings to just 10 points in the fourth quarter and 34 percent shooting for the game. While he was most pleased by the victory, Pietrus hopes that the defensive effort catches the attention of the coaches who vote for the All-Defensive team. He’s had similar top efforts this season against Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson and Kevin Durant.
``Evans, he’s a great rookie and I was just trying to minimize his touches and make it harder for him to get in the paint,’’ Pietrus said. ``My goal is make that best defensive team, and games like this are how you do that. We are one of the best teams in the NBA, and (defense) is how I can help my team. Getting that (All-Defense) honor would mean so much to my NBA career. I’m trying to bring that energy every night.’’
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said the best thing about having Pietrus guard the other team’s top scorer is that he can usually hold his own solo so that Orlando doesn’t have to double-team and expose itself elsewhere. And, of course, it doesn’t hurt Pietrus having the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Dwight Howard, behind him to block shots.
HOWARD’S HEIGHTS: Star center Dwight Howard has made the breathtaking seem commonplace in his five-plus NBA seasons with the Magic. Tuesday night’s domination of the Kings was another gem for Howard.
He did mostly as he pleased against the Kings, pounding them for 30 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, three blocked shots and three steals. Performances like that have made Howard one of this generation’s most dominant all-around players.
It was the second time in his career that he’s had at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Since the 1991-92 season, only David Robinson (seven times), Hakeem Olajuwon (five), Shaquille O’Neal (four) have accomplished that feat more. Like Howard, current Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing and Karl Malone hit those benchmarks twice in their careers.
Maybe this is where it should be mentioned that Howard is just 24 years old.
``He’s the best guy down there on the block that I’ve ever played with,’’ gushed Magic forward Matt Barnes, who has played for seven NBA teams. ``He’s an absolute beast.’’ It was the 70th time in Howard’s career that he has had at least 20 points and 15 rebounds and the sixth time this season.
NELSON’S KNEE: Jameer Nelson was the last person out of the locker room following the Sacramento victory because he needed some 30 minutes of treatment on his surgically repaired left knee.
Nelson had arthroscopic surgery on Nov. 18 to repair torn meniscus and missed the next 16 games. He returned on Dec. 21 and after briefly limiting his minutes, Nelson was back in the starting lineup and playing 30 minutes a night.
He’s been troubled by lingering soreness and swelling of late following practices and games, causing some in the organization to wonder about the health of his knee. Nelson said he wasn’t about to use the pain as an excuse, but admitted that the knee was, ``sore, real sore.’’
Van Gundy, who pointed out that Nelson’s consecutive 3-pointers in Tuesday’s third quarter keyed Orlando’s second-half rally, said he’s somewhat concerned with Nelson’s knee troubles.
``All I know is that he’s cleared to play and he’s playing hard, but right now I just don’t think that he has his quickness,’’ Van Gundy said. ``That is what you notice most. I don’t think he gets to the floor without being healthy, so unless they tell me otherwise we’ll stick with him.’’
ETC: Magic center Dwight Howard admitted that he’s turned to a higher power to help him deal better with the NBA’s referees. Howard has already been whistled for nine technical fouls this season, and he says he’s working hard not to get so frustrated with the many hard hits he takes in the post. ``I don’t need any more techs. I’ve got to do what’s best for my team because they need me on the floor,’’ Howard said. ``I know I can’t get frustrated and I’ve spent a lot of time lately praying to myself and not get so frustrated. I’m trying to stay away from looking at the referees so much, and when they foul me I’ve just got to go knock down my free throws.’’ … Pietrus said a good indicator of how well the Magic will do from night to night is their fastbreak points. When Orlando is playing with high energy and out and running on the break and getting easy baskets, they can be unstoppable, Pietrus said. ``When we were struggling last week it was because we weren’t running or playing with much energy. But these last couple of games we’ve been out running like horses. That’s our game – play defense, rebound and run the break like horses to get easy baskets. We do that and we’re pretty good.’’ … The Magic are scheduled to be off on Thursday following the back-to-back set of games and then play the Trail Blazers in Portland on Friday. Thursday could be a work day for injured guard Vince Carter, who might get in an on-court session with assistant coaches to test out his mildly separated left shoulder. Carter has missed the past two games, but has said the flexibility in his shoulder is slowly returning.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes'' segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. Submit questions to John for his "Ask J.D." mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonJanuary 13, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
DENVER, Colo. – Orlando Magic guard/forward Mickael Pietrus entered the season with the goal of making the NBA’s All-Defensive team and he certainly took a step toward reaching that feat with his lockdown performance Tuesday night in Sacramento.
When the Magic had trouble keeping dynamic Sacramento rookie point guard Tyreke Evans out of the lane on dribble penetration, coach Stan Van Gundy switched Pietrus onto him. The thinking was that Pietrus had the length and the strength to match the talents of the 6-foot-3 Evans, the leading candidate for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year.
Pietrus’ ability to stay in front of Evans and shut off his driving lanes to the hoop played a big role in Orlando limiting the Kings to just 10 points in the fourth quarter and 34 percent shooting for the game. While he was most pleased by the victory, Pietrus hopes that the defensive effort catches the attention of the coaches who vote for the All-Defensive team. He’s had similar top efforts this season against Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson and Kevin Durant.
``Evans, he’s a great rookie and I was just trying to minimize his touches and make it harder for him to get in the paint,’’ Pietrus said. ``My goal is make that best defensive team, and games like this are how you do that. We are one of the best teams in the NBA, and (defense) is how I can help my team. Getting that (All-Defense) honor would mean so much to my NBA career. I’m trying to bring that energy every night.’’
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said the best thing about having Pietrus guard the other team’s top scorer is that he can usually hold his own solo so that Orlando doesn’t have to double-team and expose itself elsewhere. And, of course, it doesn’t hurt Pietrus having the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Dwight Howard, behind him to block shots.
HOWARD’S HEIGHTS: Star center Dwight Howard has made the breathtaking seem commonplace in his five-plus NBA seasons with the Magic. Tuesday night’s domination of the Kings was another gem for Howard.
He did mostly as he pleased against the Kings, pounding them for 30 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, three blocked shots and three steals. Performances like that have made Howard one of this generation’s most dominant all-around players.
It was the second time in his career that he’s had at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Since the 1991-92 season, only David Robinson (seven times), Hakeem Olajuwon (five), Shaquille O’Neal (four) have accomplished that feat more. Like Howard, current Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing and Karl Malone hit those benchmarks twice in their careers.
Maybe this is where it should be mentioned that Howard is just 24 years old.
``He’s the best guy down there on the block that I’ve ever played with,’’ gushed Magic forward Matt Barnes, who has played for seven NBA teams. ``He’s an absolute beast.’’ It was the 70th time in Howard’s career that he has had at least 20 points and 15 rebounds and the sixth time this season.
NELSON’S KNEE: Jameer Nelson was the last person out of the locker room following the Sacramento victory because he needed some 30 minutes of treatment on his surgically repaired left knee.
Nelson had arthroscopic surgery on Nov. 18 to repair torn meniscus and missed the next 16 games. He returned on Dec. 21 and after briefly limiting his minutes, Nelson was back in the starting lineup and playing 30 minutes a night.
He’s been troubled by lingering soreness and swelling of late following practices and games, causing some in the organization to wonder about the health of his knee. Nelson said he wasn’t about to use the pain as an excuse, but admitted that the knee was, ``sore, real sore.’’
Van Gundy, who pointed out that Nelson’s consecutive 3-pointers in Tuesday’s third quarter keyed Orlando’s second-half rally, said he’s somewhat concerned with Nelson’s knee troubles.
``All I know is that he’s cleared to play and he’s playing hard, but right now I just don’t think that he has his quickness,’’ Van Gundy said. ``That is what you notice most. I don’t think he gets to the floor without being healthy, so unless they tell me otherwise we’ll stick with him.’’
ETC: Magic center Dwight Howard admitted that he’s turned to a higher power to help him deal better with the NBA’s referees. Howard has already been whistled for nine technical fouls this season, and he says he’s working hard not to get so frustrated with the many hard hits he takes in the post. ``I don’t need any more techs. I’ve got to do what’s best for my team because they need me on the floor,’’ Howard said. ``I know I can’t get frustrated and I’ve spent a lot of time lately praying to myself and not get so frustrated. I’m trying to stay away from looking at the referees so much, and when they foul me I’ve just got to go knock down my free throws.’’ … Pietrus said a good indicator of how well the Magic will do from night to night is their fastbreak points. When Orlando is playing with high energy and out and running on the break and getting easy baskets, they can be unstoppable, Pietrus said. ``When we were struggling last week it was because we weren’t running or playing with much energy. But these last couple of games we’ve been out running like horses. That’s our game – play defense, rebound and run the break like horses to get easy baskets. We do that and we’re pretty good.’’ … The Magic are scheduled to be off on Thursday following the back-to-back set of games and then play the Trail Blazers in Portland on Friday. Thursday could be a work day for injured guard Vince Carter, who might get in an on-court session with assistant coaches to test out his mildly separated left shoulder. Carter has missed the past two games, but has said the flexibility in his shoulder is slowly returning.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes'' segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. Submit questions to John for his "Ask J.D." mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
