30 Days 30 Grades: Day 22 Orlando Magic Off-Season Grade

Welcome to day 22 of my 30 blog series titled "30 Days 30 Grades". Today I am going to be talking about my current hometown NBA team the Orlando Magic. Here are the four things I'm going to do in this blog, 1) I'm going to give my Orlando Magic off-season grade, 2) I'm going to give a list of players added to the Magic roster, 3) I'm going to give a list of players subtracted from the Orlando Magic roster, and finally 4) I'm going to give my reason or reasons why I give the Orlando Magic the grade I give them.




Orlando Magic off-season grade:  C+




Orlando Magic players added:  Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton, Devyn Marble, Channing Frye, Ben Gordon, Willie Green, Luke Ridnour, Evan Fournier, Anthony Randolph

Orlando Magic players subtracted: Aaron Afflalo, Doron Lamb, Jason Maxiell, Jameer Nelson, E'Twuan Moore

Why did I give the Orlando Magic a grade of C plus?  I think they made some solid moves this off-season, but they have 5 shooting guards on this team (Victor Oladipo, Evan Fournier, Ben Gordon, Willie Green and Devyn Marble).  I'm hoping that the plan is to trade 1 or 2 of these guards to get back a better player.  My favorite free agent signing this off-season was three point shooting power forward Channing Frye.  I didn't know this until I read it today, Frye is the cousin of Orlando Magic teammate Tobias Harris. Channing Frye will stretch opposing teams defensive with his three point shooting.  Frye last year for Western Conference NBA Team Phoenix Suns , averaged 11.1 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, shot 43% from the field, shot 37% from three, and 82 % from free throw line.  Frye signed a 4 year 32 million dollar deal with the Orlando Magic this off-season. I can't wait to see him start.   Another player I'm excited about this season is rookie power forward Aaron Gordon.  I love his athletic ability. For Arizona last year Gordon averaged over 12 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, shot 49 %FG, 35% 3PTFG, and 42%FT.  Gordon has to work on his free throws, but I think he will be a good player.  Elfrid Payton is a point guard who was drafted by Philadelphia but traded to us for the draft rights of Dario Saric and a future first round pick.  Hopefully by the future first round pick, the Orlando Magic will be making the playoffs. Payton is a good defender, solid rebounder and has good court vision.  Elfrid Payton has been compared to Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo.   I personally would like to see Payton start with Dipo playing the shooting guard.  The Magic got rid of some veterans to get some more veterans.  Orlando added Willie Green, Ben Gordon and Luke Ridnour.   I don't know if it's likely but, I would like to see Ben Gordon get back to the days the way he played in Chicago.  Willie Green is 33 years old and I believe was brought in for veteran leadership.  The Magic also acquired Evan Fournier who according to the 2014-2015 depth chart at www.espn.com will be the starting shooting guard for the Magic, while Victor Oladipo (who is my favorite Magic player) will be running the point. I don't like this idea, because I feel that Dipo is better suited for playing at the 2.  Do you agree with my off-season grade of C+?  What grade would you have given them?  Are you excited about seeing the Magic this season?  I know I am and I can't wait to be going to at least 7 of the games this season.   Send me your comments on this. Thank you for reading Pro Basketball Hoops Land. The blog where you can read articles (from the prospective of an NBA fan), send comments, and purchase pro basketball merchandise.