Magic starting SF Hedo Turkoglu expects to play Monday night against the Celtics in Boston after missing the last two games with a back injury.

Turkoglu was injured last Tuesday night in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats. He experienced soreness and spasms that kept him out of games against San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Turkoglu said he had regained mobility the last day or two, but still hasn’t run hard up and down the floor. He practiced on Sunday, but the team didn’t go full bore.

The game against the Celtics will be a test for his back.

“You can’t make practice like a game anyway, so why not just go out there and see?” Turkoglu said.

Turkoglu is averaging 14.5 points, 4.9 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Turkoglu and coach Stan Van Gundy won’t know how the veteran’s back will react until he gets on the court and starts to play. He’ll have to face Celtics SF Paul Pierce as well.

“I really don’t know where Turk is at with his back,” Van Gundy said. “He’ll go.”

Van Gundy said if Turk can’t go after warm-ups or he must leave the game at some point, J.J. Redick will start at shooting guard, with Jason Richardson moving to small forward to defend Pierce. G-F Quentin Richardson is also expected to see some time defending Pierce.

Advice for Ainge

Celtics GM Danny Ainge hasn’t ruled out breaking up his Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to improve his team. The Celts, 2008 NBA champions, are 6-9 after beating the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Van Gundy, tongue firmly planted in cheek, says the sooner the better.

“I’d put a vote in for breaking them up,” Van Gundy laughed, talking about the Celtics after practice. “Move all three. Danny Ainge should get it done today.”

Seriously, Van Gundy still considers the Celtics a “formidable team,” and said the club has been snake bit because of injuries and a tough schedule.

Of the possibility of the Celtics trading any of the Big Three, Van Gundy said, “It’s a tough thing. For Pierce, I’d think it’s even more of a dilemma for them. He’s been through the tough times.”

Layups

Asked to gauge the 11-4 Magic after 15 games, Van Gundy said, “I still think we have a long way to go to get at the level to be contenders. I don’t think that we’ve been consistent on the defensive end. I’m not saying that in a negative way. If we can play consistent defensively to get to that level, we can be contenders, no doubt.”

Howard needs 26 points tonight to overtake Nick Anderson as the Magic’s all-time scoring leader. He has 10,625 points in seven-plus seasons.

Van Gundy said the Magic worked on their pick-and-roll defense and catch-and-shoot defense, hoping to slow Allen and Pierce.

Magic PF Ryan Anderson is making a case to compete in the NBA All-Star Game’s 3-point shooting contest in Orlando. He leads the NBA in 3-point field goals made (49) and attempted (117).

 The Magic play three consecutive back-to-backs: Boston-Indiana, Boston-New Orleans and Indiana-Philadelphia. – Brian Schmitz.

It’s always unfortunate when a Broadway show is without one of its major
cast members.

That scenario could unfold not far away at Madison Square Garden in a
star-studded matchup on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

It’s unclear if Carmelo Anthony will be available to join Amare Stoudemire
and the New York Knicks as they take on Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic on
Monday.

Anthony missed Saturday’s 104-92 loss at Oklahoma City because of a sprained
right ankle and injured left wrist. The Knicks top scorer at 25.5 points per
game could still be out for the opener of a four-game homestand.

Without him, New York (6-6) gave up 70 points in the first half Saturday and
never threatened in its second straight loss.

“The great thing about the NBA is that we’ve got a game coming up soon so we
can try to redeem ourselves against Orlando,” Stoudemire said.

Getting back on track against Howard could be difficult. The Orlando center
leads the NBA in rebounding with a career-high 15.2 per game, and enters off a
monster performance in his last one.

Howard finished with 45 points and 23 rebounds and broke Wilt Chamberlain’s
nearly 50-year-old NBA record for most free throw attempts in a game, making 21
of 39 in a 117-109 victory over Golden State on Thursday. He’s the first player
with at least 40 points and 20 rebounds since Shaquille O’Neal had 48 and 20
against the Celtics on March 1, 2003.

“I just tried to be aggressive and get to the line. I didn’t care if I
missed 30,” Howard said. “I was still going to go up there and shoot the next
one with confidence.”

The Magic (8-3) come to New York as a well-rested team after winning three
straight on the West Coast. Howard totaled 18 points and 17 rebounds in the
first two games before his huge effort against the Warriors.

“All I want to do is win,” Howard said. “It didn’t matter how we got it
done, we got it done. That’s the bottom line.”

Howard has posted nine straight double-doubles against the Knicks, averaging
25.4 points on 64.0 percent shooting and 14.4 rebounds in those games.

It will up to a New York frontcourt that includes Stoudemire and newcomer
Tyson Chandler to provide some resistance to Howard. The Knicks are searching
for answers defensively after their first-half effort against the Thunder.

“It will get better. Definitely has to get better,” Chandler said. “We gave
up way too many points. Tonight our offense did a better job moving the ball and
scoring points but we had a letdown defensively.”

Stoudemire went 11-1 against the Magic with Phoenix from 2002-09 before
averaging 23.3 points and 5.5 rebounds against them last season as New York went
1-3.

He had 14 points on 7-of-19 shooting Saturday, but believes that the Knicks’
offense is on the right track. New York is among the NBA’s worst teams in
shooting percentage (.417) and assists per game (18.3).

“We stayed focused, we had great pep talks, we implemented a better
offensive scheme and tonight was the first night of that,” Stoudemire said. “We
did a good job of moving the ball.”

ORLANDO, Fla. — When the Orlando Magic traded for Glen “Big Baby” Davis they were looking to not only help out center Dwight Howard but acquire a player from a winning culture in Boston.

So far the Magic have seen only flashes of the role player Davis was with the Celtics. After Orlando’s win over Washington on Wednesday night, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy questioned whether the 290-pound forward had “his mind on the right things.”

Last season, Davis averaged 11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 29.5 minutes. He has slumped to 6.9 points (33 percent shooting), 3.9 rebounds and 22.3 minutes in his first seven games with the Magic since signing a four-year, $26 million deal last month.

“

I’m basically just getting used to my new surroundings and it takes time. I was with (the Celtics) for four years and won a championship with that team and it’s a different culture here. I just have to work the kinks out.

”
– Orlando Magic forward Glen Davis

After practice Thursday, Van Gundy said the two spoke some more, and the coach hopes this is the start of Davis turning a corner. The Magic begin a 20-day stretch Friday in which they face six teams that made the playoffs last year.

“What we talked about was just Glen doing the things that have made him a very good and, more importantly, a winning NBA player,” Van Gundy said. “And I think he’s sort of been sidetracked into — maybe because he hasn’t been shooting the ball well — getting concerned about numbers and things like that.

“That’s hard for guys like him in this league because there are other guys who will get great attention because of the numbers they put up. A lot of what Glen does, he can certainly get numbers, but a lot of what he does will never show up on a stat sheet.”

Van Gundy was referring to the “dirty work” — taking charges, diving for loose balls, setting screens.

“I think what happens sometimes is here comes a guy to a new team and he wants to make a great impression, wants to make a big splash and so he’s trying to do some things to make that impression that are not what he’s really all about,” he said.

He said Davis has never been a player “searching for his offense” and that has changed in his short time with the Magic. Davis said he’s taken Van Gundy’s words to heart and understands the coach’s concerns.

“I’m basically just getting used to my new surroundings and it takes time,” Davis said. “I was with (the Celtics) for four years and won a championship with that team and it’s a different culture here. I just have to work the kinks out. I’m just going to keep my composure and do what I need to do and perform the way I know that I can perform. I put a lot of pressure on myself and what you see out there is me wanting to do more. But I can’t let it not flow.”

Davis was beaten out for the starting job in preseason by Ryan Anderson, who is averaging 19.7 points and against the Wizards had 23 points and 15 rebounds in a 103-85 victory. Anderson is also the NBA leader in 3-pointers made (25) and attempted (55).

“I’m not a Ryan Anderson and I’m not going to be shooting 3s,” Davis said. “I have to get closer and watching film, Stan has helped me realize that. You’ll see a difference in my 22-foot jump shot turning into my 15-foot jump shot.”

Davis acknowledged that seeing Brandon Bass’ fast start in Boston hasn’t helped his own transition in Orlando. Bass is averaging 14.0 points and 6.6 rebounds in 27.7 minutes.

“Most definitely there’s a temptation to want to do well,” Davis said. “You see Brandon Bass and you see Ryan Anderson, who is doing great and you want to contribute because you know you can. But sometimes putting pressure on yourself isn’t good and you end up doing the opposite. I just have to slow down and let the game come to me and make sure that I play my game how I know how to play it.”

Howard, who has played against Davis since they were teens and has lobbied to see the Magic bring him in, said he also has spoken with Davis about doing just that.

“Just keep playing,” Howard said. “You’re going to have points in the season where you struggle. No matter where that may be — offense, defense or whatever. … But you can’t dwell on it. You just got to keep playing the way you know how to play. I just tell him ‘keep shooting.’ Do whatever you got to do, but keep doing it.”

Davis has had just nine real practices with the Magic. He says the more time he has with the team, the more he will fit in.

He also said that facing a post player like Chicago’s Carlos Boozer will be an opportunity to show what he can do.

“It’ll be great to see the real me,” Davis said. “I know what I have to do and it’s just about going out there, taking my time and doing it. It’s not that I’m confused; I’m the kid at the candy store wanting to do more, more, more. I just have to slow down and embrace everything and mentally get right.”

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—When the Orlando Magic traded for Glen “Big Baby”
Davis they were looking to not only help out center Dwight Howard but acquire a
player from a winning culture in Boston.

So far the Magic have seen only flashes of the role player Davis was with
the Celtics. After Orlando’s win over Washington on Wednesday night, Magic coach
Stan Van Gundy questioned whether the 290-pound forward had “his mind on the
right things.”

Last season, Davis averaged 11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 29.5 minutes. He
has slumped to 6.9 points (33 percent shooting), 3.9 rebounds and 22.3 minutes
in his first seven games with the Magic since signing a four-year, $26 million
deal last month.

After practice Thursday, Van Gundy said the two spoke some more, and the
coach hopes this is the start of Davis turning a corner. The Magic begin a
20-day stretch Friday in which they face six teams that made the playoffs last
year.

“What we talked about was just Glen doing the things that have made him a
very good and more importantly a winning NBA player,” Van Gundy said. “And I
think he’s sort of been sidetracked into—maybe because he hasn’t been shooting
the ball well—getting concerned about numbers and things like that.

“That’s hard for guys like him in this league because there are other guys
who will get great attention because of the numbers they put up. A lot of what
Glen does, he can certainly get numbers, but a lot of what he does will never
show up on a stat sheet.”

Van Gundy was referring to the “dirty work”—taking charges, diving for
loose balls, setting screens.

“I think what happens sometimes is here comes a guy to a new team and he
wants to make a great impression, wants to make a big splash and so he’s trying
to do some things to make that impression that are not what he’s really all
about,” he said.

He said Davis has never been a player “searching for his offense” and that
has changed in his short time with the Magic. Davis said he’s taken Van Gundy’s
words to heart and understands the coach’s concerns.

“I’m basically just getting used to my new surroundings and it takes
time,” Davis said. “I was with (the Celtics) for four years and won a
championship with that team and it’s a different culture here. I just have to
work the kinks out. I’m just going to keep my composure and do what I need to do
and perform the way I know that I can perform. I put a lot of pressure on myself
and what you see out there is me wanting to do more. But I can’t let it not
flow.”

Davis was beaten out for the starting job in preseason by Ryan Anderson, who
is averaging 19.7 points and against the Wizards had 23 points and 15 rebounds
in a 103-85 victory. Anderson is also the NBA leader in 3-pointers made (25) and
attempted (55).

“I’m not a Ryan Anderson and I’m not going to be shooting 3s,” Davis said.
“I have to get closer and watching film Stan has helped me realize that. You’ll
see a difference in my 22-foot jump shot turning into my 15-foot jump shot.”

Davis acknowledged that seeing Brandon Bass’ fast start in Boston hasn’t
helped his own transition in Orlando. Bass is averaging 14.0 point and 6.6
rebounds in 27.7 minutes.

“Most definitely there’s a temptation to want to do well,” Davis said.
“You see Brandon Bass and you see Ryan Anderson, who is doing great and you
want to contribute because you know you can. But sometimes putting pressure on
yourself isn’t good and you end up doing the opposite. I just have to slow down
and let the game come to me and make sure that I play my game how I know how to
play it.”

Howard, who has played against Davis since they were teens and has lobbied
to see the Magic bring him in, said he also has spoken with Davis about doing
just that.

“Just keep playing,” Howard said. “You’re going to have points in the
season where you struggle. No matter where that may be—offense, defense or
whatever. … But you can’t dwell on it. You just got to keep playing the way
you know how to play. I just tell him keep shooting. Do whatever you got to do,
but keep doing it.”

Davis has had just nine real practices with the Magic. He says the more time
he has with the team the more he will fit in.

He also said that facing a post player like Chicago’s Carlos Boozer will be
an opportunity to show what he can do.

“It’ll be great to see the real me,” Davis said. “I know what I have to
do and it’s just about going out there, taking my time and doing it. It’s not
that that I’m confused; I’m the kid at the candy store wanting to do more, more,
more. I just have to slow down and embrace everything and mentally get right.”

.

Read More: Kobe Bryant (G – LAL), Brian Grant (C – PHO), Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers

Shaq’s retirement leaves a gaping hole in the NBA, as the big man’s wide body and planetary statistical profile defines the NBA in his prime. And while O’Neal, who nicknamed himself the “Most Dominant Ever,” may not have quite lived up to that billing, he was certainly a great, transcendent player.

O’Neal’s early career with the Orlando Magic was rife with stunningly athletic plays and abused backboards, but while more than a few players have shattered glass, Shaq pulled one down:

Shaq didn’t win an NBA title with the Magic despite reaching the NBA Finals in 1995, and headed west in 1996 in hopes of brighter lights and bigger successes; he found them in Los Angeles with Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant, winning three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002, and destroying the Western Conference in the low post on the way, blending savvy with exceptional athleticism to become an almost unstoppable NBA center.

In the 2000 and 2001 playoffs, Shaq averaged — averaged — over 30 points and 15 rebounds per game, and he punctuated the Lakers’ first trip back to the NBA Finals since the Magic Johnson era by finishing a Bryant alley-oop in the 2000 Western Conference Finals and giving fans one of his most iconic celebrations.

One series later, in the 2000 NBA Finals, he decimated the slighter Pacers, averaging 38 points and 18.3 rebounds per game and dropping 43/19 and 40/24 performances in Game 1 and 2, respectively, to give the Lakers a 2-0 series lead.

After that third title, the Lakers dynasty ebbed, and the Shaq and Kobe feud tore the Lakers apart. Shaq was valiant in the Lakers’ 2004 NBA Finals loss to the Pistons, even throwing up a vintage 36/20 in Game 4, but Los Angeles lost in five games, and O’Neal would be gone before the summer was over, traded to Miami for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant.

Post-Lakers Shaq was a different sort of player: no longer able to consistently overpower defenders, and no longer healthy enough to be 100% for even 70 games of a season, Shaq went from dominant to complement in short order. The Shaq who teamed with Dwyane Wade to help the Heat win the 2006 NBA championship, his fourth, was a situationally dominant player who had just one game of 30 points in the 2006 playoffs.

After another year of getting old on South Beach, O’Neal’s twilight odyssey began: the Heat sent him to Phoenix in February 2008 for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks, where an excellent training staff and Steve Nash could only revitalize him so much; the Suns flipped him to Cleveland before the 2009-10 season for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, and trinkets, where Shaq foundered as a potential sidekick for LeBron James. In 2010-11, after signing with the Celtics for one final run at an NBA title, Shaq played in just 37 games.

Shaq’s career is one with an incredible peak and a long, painful decline.

Turns out the Magic are well-represented in the playoffs — just not by any current Magic players.

So which alumnus has the best chance of winning a title?

Shaq?

The only rings O’Neal and the Celtics are counting now is to identify how old they are. Shaq won his fourth title in Miami, oddly enough. The way the C’s are being treated by the Heat, The Big Hurt ought to be cautious at 39 and remain seated.

Carlos Arroyo?

Arroyo, who played two-plus seasons with the Magic, is reeling from a cruel fate. He hooked on with the Celtics after being released by the Heat….in March.

Zaza Pachulia?

Zaza played one season in Orlando before winding up in Atlanta. His head’s-up play in the Hawks-Magic series was his head-butt of Jason Richardson. Hawks aren’t good enough, though.

Keith Bogans?

Bogans, who served two tours with the Magic, is a guy you root for to win. He has been the Bulls’ starting shooting guard, even though they’ve tried to replace him (see J.J. Redick’s offer sheet).

Matt Barnes?

Mad Matt signed with the two-time defending champion Lakers after the Magic showed him the door last summer. Things don’t look so glamorous in L.A., but there’s still time for Barnes to irritate someone.

DeShawn Stevenson?

Stevenson’s three-year run ended in Orlando in ’06. Known for his bizarre tattoos, “Nutso” has a shot with the Mavs, who smell an upset of the Lakers.

Mike Miller? Juwan Howard?

They might have the best chance of all past Magic men, playing in Miami.

Howard, 38, has led a charmed life: Fab Four to fabulous wealth to front-row seat on the Heat bench. Seven years ago, he averaged 17 points for the Magic — the last best season of his career.

Seems like another lifetime ago that Miller, an ex-Gator, was named rookie of the year (2000-01). Mike toiled with bad teams after the Magic traded him to Memphis in 2003. “I’ve been with some doozies,” he told me.

Magic fans might spot him in a June parade in South Florida.

Will Dwight Howard still be smiling at the end of the season?

What constitutes a good playoff run for the Orlando Magic?

One and done, assuming they beat the Atlanta Hawks in the first round?

A strong showing against the Chicago Bulls _ unless there is an apocalyptic upset by Indiana in the first round? Beating the Bulls?

Nothing short of an NBA title run?

Perception vs. reality may be a tough deal for Magic fans to accept.

No question they will be rooting hard for the home team, which has advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals the last two seasons. But there is a different vibe about this team, and not necessarily a good one.

Despite another 50-victory run during the regular-season, the Magic have regressed while their top division rivals have improved. Orlando won 59 games in the regular season a year ago. They stand at 51 victories now, with one last game left against Indiana Wednesday night.

Boston is plus five. Atlanta is plus nine. Miami is plus 10. Chicago is plus 19.

Based on the statistical evidence, the Magic are a strong team but no better than a fourth-seed in the East.

Could they make a run like the Celtics did last season, when they were seeded fourth? Sure, but a lot of variables have to fall into place. Cutting down on senseless turnovers, avoiding long stagnant runs on offense, and of course anger management issues with Dwight Howard are critical to the Magic sustaining a run playoff run. The technicals will reset fopr the playoffs, but still, Howard can’t allow his emotions to get the best of him.

The players say they are ready to roll and can flip a switch to take it to the next level during the playoffs.

I remain a bit skeptical about that until the ball starts bouncing the weekend.

What say you, Magic fans?

What constitutes a strong playoff run for the Orlando Magic?customer surveys