Reason for success?

[Gerhalt11]

The Magic have laid claim to a 50+ win season, a divisional title, and a likely second round playoff appearance.

Obviously, this is a very different team from last season. Therefore, the question stands: what is the single most important reason for the Magic's success this season?

The improvement of Dwight Howard
Dwight's improvement has catapulted him into a new stratosphere of NBA talent. He is arguably a top five player and without question the most dominant big man in the league. His averages have risen by 3 points and 2 rebounds from last season and his presence must be taken into account on any shot that is taken. His stellar performance in the dunk contest will not soon be forgotten.

The improvement of Hedo Turkoglu
Hedo has all but locked down the NBA's Most Improved Player award and has become the go-to man on the Magic when points are needed, earning him the nickname "Mr. Fourth Quarter." His versatile game and expert passing ability makes him a threat from anywhere on the court and his game-winner over the Celtics will be remembered as one of the best plays of the entire season.

The addition of Rashard Lewis
Thought by many to be overpaid, Rashard's addition has added an element to the Magic that might not be accurately portrayed in the box score. Forced to play out of position, Rashard has caused defenses to spread the floor and think twice before double teaming Dwight down low. Hitting the third most shots from 3-point land in the entire league, Rashard has proven to be a deep ball threat that cannot be ignored.

The addition of Stan Van Gundy
A master of X's and O's as well as motivation, Stan has led his team to a 50-win season in only his first year as head coach of the Magic. His frankness and willingness to call out individuals has earned him the respect of Magic fans and players alike. No coach in Magic history has shown the passion and drive that Stan has showed in his short time here, and his success should earn him at least a few votes for Coach of the Year.

Role players (Maurice Evans, Keith Bogans, etc.)
It has become clear that the Magic are masters of the 3-ball, thanks in no small part to our shooters. Mo Evans and Keith Bogans in particular have played key roles in roaming the perimeter and getting open for the wide open shot after the kick out pass. As they vie against one another for playing time, it can only mean good things for the rest of the playoffs as these two sharpshooters continue to gain confidence. Keyon Dooling has also secured his role as 6th man and gives the team a spark whenever he comes off the bench.

[theTHIEF]

F - all of the above

[Gerhalt11]

F - all of the above

Just pick one, wise guy.

[theTHIEF]

thats impossible man...

[damo[23]]

SVG is the key reason; his changes to the players, system and how the rotation is run is just a country mile away from the broken systems we used just 1 year ago. SVG has a finger in every pie in terms of the options.

All the other reasons also helped us to the better record. Dwights improvement obviously saw 82 games of one of the best big men in the league and we all know how important that is.

Hedo gave us a solultion to our PG issues and also gave us the triple threat players; but we had to sign Rashard to get that; 3 players all around 20 ppg is just devestating.

But the role players helping out this year, we didnt get much punch from the bench last year and this year we saw contributions from Evans/Bogans/Dooling Arroyo at times and even guys like Cook, Garrity and Foyle played their role.

SVG had a hand in making all of them working well and contributing in the manner they did, big or small, but to just say SVG alone is impossible; he was just the glue that stuck it all together.

[MagicalMan]

All of the above, but if I had to pick one it would be SVG- he's put players in the position to win. He doesn't expect players to adapt to his coaching style, he adapts his style to suit his players. Thats the mark of a good coach.

[Last Guardian]

Stan is the biggest reason. A coach can only do so much, it'll be up to the players for future success (consistent contenders), but he is the reason the Magic right now are on the path they are. Most other coaches would be forcing their style on the players, which likely would have been a mediocre team even with the same roster, but Stan plays to his teams strengths and not his own personal preferences.

If we ever win a championship, it'll be because of Dwight though.

[AdamTheGreek]

I refuse to pick one.

[Volcano]

Not that I'm saying this is the reason..but maybe because the East is weak. A tougher conference might put you slightly below 50 wins...and you'd get a tougher first round match up than a finesse team which Dwight could eat up alive.

But there can't be just one major reason to your improvement..every reason is a part of the missing puzzle

[Gerhalt11]

Not that I'm saying this is the reason..but maybe because the East is weak. A tougher conference might put you slightly below 50 wins...and you'd get a tougher first round match up than a finesse team which Dwight could eat up alive.

But there can't be just one major reason to your improvement..every reason is a part of the missing puzzle

I'm fairly sure that's why I said MOST important reason in the question. Of course there are many reasons. Every one listed is a big reason why we're better this season and there are plenty of reasons that aren't listed. I'm just wondering what people think if the biggest reason.

[MagicMadness]

Hard to choose, but I'm going with SVG.

After that, I guess I would go with Lewis, because bringing him in added consistent 18-20ppg scoring, and helped free up things for Hedo - which in turn obviously made Hedo a much better player (and would then be my #3 choice).

[magicmamma]

Obviously, SVG, because most of the others depend on the hiring of Stan.

How would we have done with B Hill coaching this team? But if we still had B Hill, we also would have had a totally different team. Yes, Otis decides who he hires, but he has to provide what the coach wants to use. With Hill as coach, I believe we would have signed Carter or Billups and kept Darko, Hill, and Ariza. I also think the team we have is better. Also, SVG brought Ewing for Dwight -- a major factor in his development.

After SVG, getting Rashard is next, and not just for his personal production. Having this additional scoring threat allowed Dwight's game to develop. And, as strange as it seems for two players so similar, Rashard seems to have contributed to Hedo's improvement. There's a special chemistry between these two that is a pleasant surprise. It's like they read one another's minds.

[spinedoc]

If I had a gun to my head and could only pick one, it would have to be the addition of SVG by a hair. His style of play and inside out game plan by surrounding Dwight with shooters, and letting Hedo handle the ball, would have to be the most important in the list. However, none of this is even possible without acquiring a guy like Lewis, for me its like 1A and 1B. You can't just put another Bogans, Evans, JJ, or whatever in the lineup and expect Hedo or Dwight to be as effective as they have been. Hedo's play is really dictated by multiple things in the poll, including acquiring Stan, Shard, and Dwights development, but its more of a result rather than a reason. Without those things, he goes back to being the Hedo of old imo.

The development of Dwight is the only real constant of the poll really. Sure he has much to do with our success, but he was growing on this same curve regardless of any other variable. His progress isn't whats fueling our increase of success we've seen this year the most. As far as the bench goes, good play is contagious. There are a lot of players that would see their game elevate playing in this offense and next to these players. Its a distant fifth option.

[OhMyBosh]

I honestly believe Stan should get Coach of the Year, or at least recognition for it.

His coaching style and teaching has brought out the absolute best in Turkoglu. He's helping Dwight develop into the most dominant being in the world. His smart tactics as a coach actually gets Orlando wins. The more I see of him coach, the more respect I have for the guy.

[Volcano]

-= original quote snipped =-



I'm fairly sure that's why I said MOST important reason in the question. Of course there are many reasons. Every one listed is a big reason why we're better this season and there are plenty of reasons that aren't listed. I'm just wondering what people think if the biggest reason.

I dont think there can be a most important reason..to me that's like asking why the Sun rotates around the Earth..is it b/c of the Sun or Earth? You need both for it to work and it's equally important. So my answer would be that the best reasons are equally as important, which is what I originally implied.

I don't like your question that much because I wouldnt put a value on any one over the other.

PS. Dwight was already a monster last year, so I wouldnt really count that as one. Some of his improvement also may have been from the effects of the following 3 reasons you listed.

[SevereMagic]

Great idea for a poll, and pretty difficult to choose just one...

At first I thought Howard cuz he truly makes everyone's job way easier (rebounding, presence, blocking, scoring, etc), but after thinking of how great SVG motivates this team and his rotation is so much better then BHill's, it was a no brainer!

Stan makes this team mesh well together, and his gametime decisions are a true improvement to last years.

thx Glyde for the sig!

Go Magic!

[Gerhalt11]

-= original quote snipped =-

I don't like your question that much because I wouldnt put a value on any one over the other.

Well, the day I design a poll based on what a Raptors fan likes or dislikes is the day...well, never. So thanks for trolling, but your time has expired. Fail.

[mhectorgato]

Where's the option for: "Letting Darko and Hill go"?

I'd go along with Thiefly and then followed by mamma.

[drsd]

I really have to go with "all." In particular, all five starters have played well. And every game has had a sixth/seventh that played well. And StM has done a fantastic job with in-game adjustments.

The Magic are playing hard, and playing to win!

If forced to pick a difference maker, I'd have to go with:

[craig01]

The biggest difference?

Howard. Consistent. Maturing. Productive. Explosive. Unselfish.

Then SVG.

Close call, but this IS a players league. Better talent usually wins.