NBA FINALS GAME 5: Officiating Stats

http://www.82games.com/game5refs.htm

This site should be required reading for NBA fans. Even a better idea, I hope they offer this service to newspapers. This is a great break down of controversial game 5 that goes into amazing detail. In the end, I think I could live with the piece of shit-(pardon my french)-that was the NBA Finals if they would fire, or at least fine Bennett Salvatore.

Like they say on TNT; “let the truth be told”!

Redick's shot adds to Magic tricks

By: Brian Schmitz

J.J. Redick might not be quick, but he's a quick study. He knew that if he ever wanted to play in the NBA, he'd have to learn survival skills.

"I'm a slow white guy," said Redick, smiling.

Redick discovered very early that he mostly needed to rely on the kindness of teammates. They set screens to spring him free so he could launch his textbook jump shot.

"I came to this realization when I was 12," he said. "It was a matter of learning different tricks."

A decade later, Redick shot his way into the pros after a decorated career at Duke.

The Orlando Magic selected him with the No. 11 pick in the NBA draft Wednesday night. He was in town Thursday, along with forward James Augustine, a second-round pick.

Redick will need teammates to lead interference and create diversions like never before. He will be facing quicker and stronger defenders than he did in college.

Much of his success with the Magic largely will depend on the progress of forward Dwight Howard and point guard Jameer Nelson, considered the building blocks of Orlando's future.

"The NBA offense is about spacing," Magic Coach Brian Hill said. "And [Redick's] another guy that's going to allow us to spread the floor as Dwight continues to develop in the low post and demand more and more defensive attention.

"This year, it will be harder for teams to collapse their defense on Dwight, with Jameer's penetration ability. This gives [Jameer] another guy he can kick the ball out to on the perimeter and spread the defense because [J.J.'s] a 3-point threat."

Redick also appealed to the Magic because of his deadeye from long range. He set an NCAA record for 3-pointers made and added, "A lot of them were from NBA 3-point range."

Redick, 6 feet 4, said his style most resembles that of former Indiana Pacer Reggie Miller. Miller was in constant motion, running behind screens and popping his jump shot from various spots and angles.

"That's kind of how I played in college, like a Reggie Miller," he said.

"Reggie's a future Hall of Famer and I know I'm setting the bar high, but that's how I patterned my game."

Redick also has Miller's coldbloodedness when it comes to taking the big shot. He pitched until he was 13 because, "I wanted the game on my shoulders."

The question might be whether he has the size, strength and speed at 190 pounds to consistently create his own shot.

Redick said he believes he can because he has been working on his bag of tricks since the seventh grade. "I learned how to get open," he said. "How to change speeds."

Said Hill, "Redick can shoot the ball coming off screens, he can shoot it off the dribble, he can create space to get his shot off. I don't think he's going to have any trouble getting his shot off."

Hill said he believes Redick's "cocky mentality" and the fact he plays "with a chip on his shoulder" drives him to find openings and convert doubters. When he played at Duke, his swagger irritated fans who heckled him unmercifully.

"It's very important," Redick said of his swagger. "Some guys are gifted physically. With me, it's a fine line. I understand that. So I have a chip on my shoulder, that edge."

Many wonder whether that attitude will help him shore up a weakness on the defensive end. Don't expect the Magic to put him in matchups in which he can be exposed.

Redick said he believes that part of his game is underrated, because his offensive proficiency garnered the attention. Although the Blue Devils are known for their defense, Redick said he'll simply "have to earn" his NBA defensive stripes.

Redick said that, sure, Kobe Bryant could take him off the dribble. Then he said, "If you can name me two guys in the league who can stop Kobe, I'll give you $5."

New Kids On The Block

Introducing the new Magic men; J.J. Redick and James Augustine...

What's In The Box?

On June 28, NBA Commissioner David Stern introduced the NBA's Class of 2006. Before that, however, he unveiled the contents of the black box, revealing a new game ball. The new ball features Spalding’s Cross Traxxion™ technology, a union of revolutionary design and breakthrough material. The design is comprised of two interlocking, cross-shaped panels rather than the eight oblong panels found on traditional basketballs. As a result, there is more material coverage. The material is a microfiber composite with moisture management that provides superior grip and feel throughout the course of a game. Additionally, the new composite material eliminates the need for a break-in period, which is necessary for the current leather ball, and achieves consistency from ball to ball.

With the No. 11 pick in the NBA draft...

The Orlando Magic select, J.J. Redick...

He went to school for four years, at a winning program, had a big bulls-eye on his chest all season, and still ended up the leading scorer in ACC History. He's poised, knows the game, and is easily the best shooter in this draft. He should be a perfect fit here. He'll extend the defense away from Dwight in the post because defenders will have to respect him. The details are yet to come, but I'm still excited about next season.

Via TrueHoop:

“He’s so damned good, people hate to see him succeed,” says Carter. “Everybody wants to see him miss the big shots. If he starts off slow in a game and misses a couple, those fans really start cheering. They think this is a night where he’s gonna be off. But as he goes on in a game, he usually gets his rythmn. He starts hitting shots, and that’s when they hate him the worst because he comes through in the end and Duke wins another game.”

“He’s such a good shooter you have to change your defensive game plan to deal with him,” says former University of North Carolina coach Matt Doherty, now a scout for the New York Knicks. “That’s unusual, to have to do that for a 6-4 shooting guard. Usually you only do that for a really quick point guard or a big post player. He shoots that pure jump shot, not a set shot. You’re so concerned about his shooting, that you have this tendency to chase him. So he gets you up in the air and draws a foul. He’s such a great foul shooter he just kills you.”

In the second round, the Magic selected James Augustine of Illinois at No. 41.

Magic Have Eyes On Trio Of Stars

By KEN HORNACK


MAITLAND -- For the most part, the 3-point field goal mysteriously disappeared from the Orlando Magic's arsenal last season.

There's almost an equal amount of mystery surrounding the three players whom Magic general manager Otis Smith claims he is focusing on tonight in the NBA Draft.

"There are three guys we like a lot," Smith said. "I think we'll get one of those three guys when it's all said and done to have what I call a slam-dunk draft."

Logic would suggest such long-range shooters as J.J. Redick of Duke, Rodney Carney of Memphis and Randy Foye of Villanova might occupy some or all of the spots on that list. Then again, the Magic defied all logic with the No. 11 pick a year ago by drafting Fran Vazquez, who hasn't so much as set foot on American soil in nearly 12 full months.

So while they would appear to be set up front for years to come with Dwight Howard and Darko Milicic, it wouldn't be a shock for the Magic to use the 11th pick on another power forward or center -- possibly Duke's Shelden Williams, if he somehow falls that far.

"I would not shy away from taking a big (man) if the guard is not there that I like," Smith said.

In a draft with no clearcut

No. 1 pick, it's not even clear if the Magic will stay where they are or move up in the first round via a trade. Smith called seventh through 11th as "the ideal spot in this draft," but several teams right ahead of the Magic -- particularly the Houston Rockets -- seem to have pressing guard needs as well.

"We're kind of at a point of gamesmanship," he said. "Everybody likes everybody but is taking nobody. When you're picking at 11, you're just trying to figure out what everybody above you is going to do."

The Magic's 299 3-pointers made last season were the second-fewest of any team in the league. Redick set an NCAA record for 3-pointers in a career with 457.

The Magic brought in Redick for an interview Friday, their first meeting with him since he came down with back pain earlier this month and was later arrested on suspicion of DUI.

"We feel comfortable about who J.J. is as a basketball player and as a person," said Smith, who called Redick "a pleasant kid to be around."

Several mock drafts have both Redick and Foye being gone before the Magic's scheduled turn. And if Williams, Cedric Simmons of N.C. State and Patrick O'Bryant of Bradley are snatched up as well, the Magic might have to wait until one of their two second-round picks before addressing their frontcourt depth.

"I really believe that we're sitting at one of the best spots," Smith said. "You're going to watch guys fall to you that you're going to like."

The most intriguing scenario for the Magic, as farfetched as it might sound, would be if Andrea Bargnani of Italy remains available when their turn rolls around. Given what happened with Vazquez, the Magic insist they have done all the necessary research on the contract situations with foreign-born players.

"I don't think there's any other team picking in the lottery that will be nervous about taking an international player other than one. And that one team probably will be us," Smith said. "But I will tell you this: If Bargnani slides down to 11, then we will come in here and say, 'OK, the Orlando Magic have selected Andrea Bargnani.' And we will say it with confidence."

Bargnani has been projected in some quarters as going first overall to the Toronto Raptors. At worst, Smith said, the 6-foot-10 forward will go fifth to Atlanta or sixth to Minnesota.

"I'll be shocked if he gets beyond that," he said. "But crazier things have happened in the draft."

Brewer, Brings Defense, Work Ethic

By KEN HORNACK


Ronnie Brewer won't be doing any commercials for Wet 'n Wild if he gets taken by the Orlando Magic in the first round of the NBA Draft.

But unless the Magic trade up or have Villanova's Randy Foye fall into their lap at No. 11, they won't stand accused of being all wet Wednesday night for selecting the versatile guard from Arkansas.

Before he began the fifth grade, Brewer broke his right arm in an accident on a water slide. That explains why his jump shot is not described in glowing terms and his 3-point efficiency is not comparable to that of several other prospects general manager Otis Smith has his eyes on.

Hold on a second: A taller guard with a reputation for defense and an awkward release who hails from a former Southwestern Conference school . . . Oh, no! Is this Jeryl Sasser all over again?

Relax. It isn't.

Brewer is not coming out of college armed with a 39.4-percent degree of accuracy and a jumper that looks like a satellite the former USSR would have launched. He can put the ball in the hole, as his 18.4-point scoring average in the last of his three seasons with the Razorbacks attests.

And while he's not a finished product, he appears willing to put in the time and effort needed to improve. His father, who played at Arkansas for Eddie Sutton and with Sidney Moncrief in the late '70s before embarking on an eight-year pro career, instilled that work ethic in Brewer.

In the interest of disclosure, I should admit to a slight bias toward Brewer. His freshman year coincided with the arrival in Fayetteville of Stan Heath, the coach who took Kent State -- my alma mater -- to within one game of the 2003 Final Four.

So far, the only player Heath has coached to make much of an impact after college is Antonio Gates. And that impact has come in the NFL, not the NBA.

Brewer is unlikely to be an impact player. With apologies to Nick Anderson, you probably have to go back to Reggie Miller in 1987 to find the last time the 11th pick in a draft wound up having a major effect on a franchise.

But the Magic, who have gone wrong in four of the last five drafts, would seem to be in a situation where they can't go wrong by picking Brewer.

Ronnie Brewer
POSITION: Guard
HEIGHT: 6-foot-6 3/4
WEIGHT: 223 pounds
COLLEGE: Arkansas

ETC.: First-team All-SEC selection as a junior . . . had 18 points and seven rebounds in a 74-71 loss to eventual national champion Florida in the SEC tournament. Was held to 14 points in 59-55 first-round loss to Bucknell in NCAA Tournament . . . Top game as a freshman was when he had 23 points against Florida . . . Father (Ron) teamed with Sidney Moncrief and Marvin Delph to form the "Triplets," who led Arkansas to the Final Four in 1978.

Carney, Who Brings Scoring, Athleticism

By TONY JONES


The Orlando Magic need a shooter. Oh boy, do they need a shooter.

That's been common knowledge for a team that has struggled mightily from the perimeter in recent seasons. For proof, all you had to do was turn on the television.

But while Orlando's need for a 3-point marksman has been forever talked about, the Magic have a few other dirty little secrets as well. They need to get better athletically. They need better perimeter defense. They need a more effective fast break.

In short, they need Rodney Carney, the pogo stick from Memphis.

Carney, a 6-foot-7 shooting guard, will solve a myriad of Orlando's problems in one fell swoop.

· You want a scorer? Carney, playing on one of the deepest teams in the nation, led Memphis with 17.2 points per game.

· You want an athlete? Carney was a track star in high school, and he'll instantly become one of the fastest players in the league.

· You want a pure shooter? Carney hit a career-high 102 3-pointers last season, and he shot 3's at a 39 percent clip.

When you add that up, Carney has the ability to become a very good NBA shooting guard. Of course, things can sometimes change on the fly. And with this promising to shape up as one of the most unstable NBA Drafts in years, other players may become available.

But, with DeShawn Stevenson opting out of his contract, Orlando needs an athletic shot in the arm. It doesn't take a genius to see the Magic have unbalanced players. Pat Garrity and Hedo Turkoglu can shoot, but they aren't athletic. Stevenson is a good athlete, but a poor shooter.

The Magic need difference-makers and they only have one in power forward Dwight Howard.

Could Carney stand to gain a few pounds? Sure he could. Could his shot selection be a bit better? Of course. But, in Orlando's system, I bet Carney will be a hit. Jameer Nelson and Carlos Arroyo are two guards who are very adept at running the pick and roll. Too often last season they penetrated the lane only to kick the ball out to Stevenson, who would then throw up a brick.

With Carney, watch those misses turn into makes. Watch him fly down the court for flying dunks. He'll be a hit with fans because he makes spectacular plays. He'll be a hit with Nelson and Howard because he'll become a great third option. And if Grant Hill somehow squeezes a solid season out of his ankle, adding Carney could vault the Magic into the playoffs next season.

Take my word for it.

Rodney Carney
POSITION: Guard/Forward
HEIGHT: 6-foot-5 3/4
WEIGHT: 204 pounds
COLLEGE: Memphis

ETC.: Conference USA Player of the Year as a senior. Scored a career-high 37 points against Louisiana Tech . . . Had a total of 42 points on 14-for-26 shooting in NCAA Tournament wins over Oral Roberts and Bradley . . . Suffered a bone crack above his eye after a head injury in December 2004 . . . Won the Indiana state championship in the high jump as a senior at Northwest High School in Indianapolis.

Magic Blog: Dante’s Speak

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/dantes_speak.html

11) ORLANDO MAGIC- I think it's pretty obvious that the Magic will be looking to take a shooting guard here at eleven, just which one is the question. If I'm the General Manager I'm taking J.J. Redick here at this spot and I would be telling everyone this for the last two months. However, I'm not the GM and for good reason. How can you not like a guy that went to school for four years, at a winning program, had a giant bullseye on his chest all seaso and still came out the leading scorer in ACC History? He impressed me the most out of anyone at the pre-draft camp here in Orlando, not with his play....because no one in the first round plays at these things, but just the way he carried himself and conducted his interviews. A guy that's poised, knows the game and is easily the best shooter in this draft would be a perfect fit here for the Magic to extend the defense away from Dwight in the post. I am HOPING we hear Redick's name at 11, however my gut tells me it will be Ronnie Brewer. Brewer was also a great kid, sharp, hard-worker and one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft. I just get nervous any time I hear that someone has a "funky shot". I understand that it goes in more times than not, but Jeryl Sasser had a funky shot and we all know how that turned out. From a defensive standpoint though, Brewer would be a great pick and the Magic have enough other guys that can score so he wouldn't hurt you from that standpoint.

Official Rise To "Greatness"

Is this what champions are made of?