Van Gundy wants 3rd PG; Nelson, Lewis like Magic Additions

[magicfan4life05]

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.d ... rentPage=0

ORLANDO – Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Friday that the team is still in the market for a third point guard, but that no move is imminent at the time being.

The Magic have just two point guards on the roster with newly signed veteran Anthony Johnson backing up starter Jameer Nelson. The Magic traded top reserve Keyon Dooling to the New Jersey Nets when the two sides couldn’t agree on a contract value. Also, the Magic have shown no interest in bringing back reserve point guard Carlos Arroyo, a fan favorite because of his Puerto Rican heritage.

``We’d like to get one more point guard, but I wouldn’t say that it’s a pressing need right now,’’ Van Gundy said at Friday’s ceremonial groundbreaking for the new $480 million downtown arena. ``I guess we could use (Hedo Turkoglu) and Courtney (Lee) there some, but that wouldn’t be ideal. So we’d like to get one more.’’

The Magic have held preliminary trade talks with the Memphis Grizzlies about the availability to reserve point guard Javaris Crittenton. Memphis has four point guards on its roster and is looking to clear payroll.

Orlando, meanwhile, has a glut at shooting guard and could look to move either Keith Bogans, J.J. Redick or power forward Brian Cook to bolster its depth at point guard.

Magic standouts Rashard Lewis and Nelson said that while they were disappointed by the loss of Dooling, they are happy about the additions Orlando made in the offseason. The Magic signed defensive ace Mickael Pietrus to start at the shooting guard position and Johnson will be the backup point guard.

``Pietrus is a great defender and will help us out. Anthony is a point guard who has been around for a long time and is a guy who I can learn from,’’ Nelson said. ``We’re definitely a team on the rise and we’re not creeping up on anybody. We’re up and coming. We’re not the Orlando Magic of three or four years ago. We’re stronger and better, and we’re ready to come out next year and make it a great one.’’

Lewis, who faced Pietrus often in the Western Conference before signing with the Magic, said Orlando snagged one of the game’s top defenders in the 6-foot-6, long-armed Pietrus.

``He’s a great defender who is really athletic,’’ Lewis said. ``He can do a lot of the small things that we need. He aggravates you as a defender and he’s going to bring what we need. With Dwight inside and Pietrus on the wing, we think we’ll be better defensively. We expect a lot out of him.’’

[BoricuaBoi]

don't know why Arroyo wouldnt be welcomed back as a 3rd stringer. I know a lot of you dont like him but common he can be a backup for any team in this league. If we cant get J.C. then it would be just stupid if they dont sign him to a one year contract.

[UCFknight84]

don't know why Arroyo wouldnt be welcomed back as a 3rd stringer. I know a lot of you dont like him but common he can be a backup for any team in this league. If we cant get J.C. then it would be just stupid if they dont sign him to a one year contract.

I dont think the problem is that the magic wouldnt welcome him back as a 3rd stringer, but arroyo doesnt want to be a 3rd stringer on the Magic. He could probably find a place where he is regularly playing 10-20 minutes per game instead of sitting on the bench with the Magic. This is better for Arroyo.

[magicfanatic23]

Arroyo seems like a last resort option for the Magic right now.

[spinedoc]

Arroyo is a goner, too much money for the role and he wouldn't want it anyway. If they are looking to get another fan favorite type, they should look to getting DA back. A great motivational and locker room guy, and still has enough to run the point for those limited minutes. Ideally JC would be the best choice, but if that falls through, then DA has to be a consideration short term. Like Stan said, we have Hedo and Lee able to poke their noses in there too. Then next year we could go with a point with our first pick and mle, if need be by then if we don't shore that up before next summer, on another big man.

[macdalejax]

I'd rather have Lee or Turk as our 3rd option than bring Arroyo back.

[thepritz]

i think arroyo is the last guy on this planet that i want on our roster. serisouly.


lets bring critt in and end it. it makes too much sense for both sides not to make it happen.

[BoricuaBoi]

I love DA but we cannot have two 30+year old point guards backing up Nelson. We need youth and size at that position. If anything DA would be a last resort. No matter what SVG says we need this Critt deal to go through. I personally Dont feel comfortable with just AJ backing up Nelson. There has to be a reason that he has been on like seven teams in about 11 seasons. Maybe hes not very consistant, well see.

[drsd]

I love DA but we cannot have two 30+year old point guards backing up Nelson. We need youth and size at that position. If anything DA would be a last resort. No matter what SVG says we need this Critt deal to go through. I personally Dont feel comfortable with just AJ backing up Nelson. There has to be a reason that he has been on like seven teams in about 11 seasons. Maybe hes not very consistant, well see.

I agree but for different reasons. The Magic need to start developing the next generation. Two older PGs fail to move a team toward legacy levels.

Over then next 6 years, only four-or-so players will be consistent. So, youth is needed in spots.

[craig01]

I do know one thing, the Magic WILL have to acquire another PG.

Period.

There is no way this team can afford to begin the season with the current combination.

A sprained ankle, concussion, or whatever could be devastating.

[theTHIEF]

^ dont forget, tendinitis, sore right foot & strained tendon

[craig01]

Oh yeah, add those too.

[Max Power]

I don't know anything about Crittenton, but he's a really young guy who's got some upside, for that reason alone I'd favor bringing him in, so when Johnson can no longer be a good primary backup we've got a young guy behind Jameer. I'd also be cool with the Magic taking a chance on a guy who's like Armstrong was back in 95...just go find some high energy spark plug in the D-League and give him a shot. Arroyo can get gone and stay gone.

[dixava]

Arroyo seems like a last resort option for the Magic right now.

I´m the only one that like Arroyo?
I was watching him last week in the FIBA competition and he was playing very well.
the only problem seems to be his defense...

[DMannOC]

Arroyo seems like a last resort option for the Magic right now.

I´m the only one that like Arroyo?
I was watching him last week in the FIBA competition and he was playing very well.
the only problem seems to be his defense...

i like Arroyo too when he isnt chucking... its like he is a better brain away from being a great point guard, too bad he likes to chuck up shots, makes horrible decisions, and doesnt play D

[DaFili]

A critt nelson backcourt could prove to be a great combination with nelson playing off the ball.

[drsd]

I do know one thing, the Magic WILL have to acquire another PG.

Period.

There is no way this team can afford to begin the season with the current combination.

A sprained ankle, concussion, or whatever could be devastating.

Here, I am in total agreement!

[christian72589]

arroyo was just extremely inconsistent... a regular complaint of nelson. if you remember the chicago game on new years, arroyo was 100 % from the field on 7/7... which was amazing, and after that... bleh... in addition to that, in order to keep his stats in tact i think he passed up a couple wide open shots, not my favorite idea for our pg.

[dixava]

arroyo was just extremely inconsistent... a regular complaint of nelson. if you remember the chicago game on new years, arroyo was 100 % from the field on 7/7... which was amazing, and after that... bleh... in addition to that, in order to keep his stats in tact i think he passed up a couple wide open shots, not my favorite idea for our pg.

In the seatle game, he had 14 ass in less than 30 minutes

[MilBucksBackOnTop06]

I love DA but we cannot have two 30+year old point guards backing up Nelson. We need youth and size at that position. If anything DA would be a last resort. No matter what SVG says we need this Critt deal to go through. I personally Dont feel comfortable with just AJ backing up Nelson. There has to be a reason that he has been on like seven teams in about 11 seasons. Maybe hes not very consistant, well see.

I am new to this board...but WHO THE HELL IS DA???? Derek Anderson? Who are you talking about!?

And he is EXACTLY WHO YOU NEED BACKING UP NELSON! You do need a 30 year old vet, what the hell are you talking about!?

The NBA is young and dumb at PG with guys who should have stayed in school and are still learning the Pro game.

Your team needs expereinced backups not another young guy! You young fans think there is no place for old school veterans!

But in the playoffs or when you are getting a young team started with stars like Howard you do need a guy who has been there and done that.

I dont know who the hell you are referring to with the DA reference. You should put who you are talking about in brackets. But if you are talking about veteran Derek Anderson...HE IS EXACTLY WHO YOU NEED!!!

Why would you want Crittendon behind Nelson???? Hell I would start Crittendon over Nelson. Those two guys need minutes and should not be on the same team.