Golden State Warriors 2012-13 Preview: Orlando Magic

Here at Blue Man Hoop, we’re gearing up for the 2012-13 season by looking around the NBA to see how each team matches up with the Golden State Warriors. We’ll give you an overview of each opponent, a matchup or stat to watch and a measure of just how big a threat each opposing squad represents for the Dubs. Be sure to check out the other previews we’ve done so far on Blue Man Hoop: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder.

Orlando Magic Overview

Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

In what’s becoming a trend in these posts, the Orlando Magic are going to look a lot different than they did last year. In short, here’s who’s gone from last year: Ryan Anderson, Earl Clark, Chris Duhon, Von Wafer and Dwight Howard. No big deal, just Orlando’s two best players (Anderson and Howard) and a solid veteran in Richardson. Surely the Magic replaced those guys with adequate fill-ins.

What’s that you say? They brought in Al Harrington? Uh oh.

Truthfully, Harrington’s not a bad NBA player, but he’s not a good one, either. In addition to Baby Al (a nickname of his that has sadly gone by the boards), the Magic will add Arron Afflalo, Gustavo Ayon and Josh McRoberts. There are a handful of other new guys, none of whom matter enough to make an impact.

Jameer Nelson is still undersized and overrated at the point guard spot. Glen Davis is set to start at power forward and Hedo Turkoglu’s massive contract is still slated to play small forward. Suffice it to say, this team is going nowhere fast.

There’s not a player on the roster who can consistently create his own shot, and without Anderson, the Magic are short of their best perimeter threat. This is a squad that’s either in “transition” or “rebuilding” mode, depending on how optimistic you are. Really, they’re just waiting for a couple of their bad contracts to go away so they can start over.

Key Matchup

When was the last time Golden State had a matchup advantage at the center spot against Orlando? Don’t worry about looking that one up; we’ll just agree that it’s been a while. But now, with Andrew Bogut in and Dwight Howard out, the Warriors are set to feast on the Orlando center brigade of Gustavo Ayon, Nikola Vucevic (who’s not quite a center, but he’s listed second on their depth chart) and the incomparable Kyle O’Quinn. Yikes.

The Warriors should dominate inside against the Magic, which will be a pretty nice change.

Threat Level: 0/10

The Magic are terrible. So terrible, in fact, that there are probably nine players on the Warriors who would start for the Magic. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Jarrett Jack, Harrison Barnes, Brandon Rush, Richard Jefferson, Carl Landry, David Lee and Andrew Bogut are all better than Orlando’s best player—whoever that is.

So, the Magic get our second 0/10 in the Threat Level rankings. Move over, Charlotte. There’s company in the cellar.