The post-Dwight Howard era begins for the Orlando Magic this season and the 2009 Eastern Conference champs are likely to have one of the worst seasons in franchise history. The team will be lead by Jameer Nelson and Al Harrington are expected to lead the team this season and neither guy has seems ready for the transition.
Nelson will have to play better than a middle of the pack point guard and take his play to a higher level. Last season, Nelson averaged 15.6 points and 6.6 assists per game last season, but this year he will have to score more and distribute the ball better.
Howard's presence in the paint will be sorely missed and Glen Davis will have to be more active in rebounding and playing defense. He will definitely need to do more than last season's 9.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. But he lacks the size to be a true center in the league and will likely be a liability in the paint for the Magic.
The projected starters for the Magic are Nelson, Aaron Afflalo, Hedo Turkoglu, Al Harrington and Geln Davis. The second unit should consist of Ishmael Smith, J.J. Redick, Wuentin Richardson, Andrew Nicholson, and Gustavo Ayon.
According to NBA 2K13, the Magic will have the worst defense in the league giving up an average 107 points per game. They will also be the NBA's worst rebounding team averaging 42.2 rebounds per game. The will also finish with the worst record in the NBA and a top-five lottery pick.
Here is how the game simulates the Magic's season:
Regular Season Record: 25-57 fifteenth in the Eastern Conference (Worst Record in the NBA)
Top scorers: PG Jameer Nelson 14.8 PPG, PF/C Glen Davis 15.1 PPG, PF Al Harrington 19.5 PPG
Leading rebounders: SF Hedo Turkoglu 5.9 RPG, PF/C Glen Davis 6.5 RPG, PF Al Harrington 7.5 RPG
Assist Leader: PG Chris Duhon 4.5 APG, SF Hedo Turkoglu 5.3 APG, PG Jameer Nelson 6.5 APG
Playoff Opponents
Round 1: Did not qualify
Round 2: Did not qualify
Conference Finals: Did not qualify
NBA Finals: Did not qualify
Check out our other NBA 2K13 team previews:
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Washington Wizards
Denver Nuggets
Phoenix Suns
Houston Rockets
Orlando Magic
