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Orlando second-round preview

The other day I went over possible first-round targets for the Magic and today I will touch on second-rounders. Orlando doesn’t technically have a second round selection, but there is a very good chance that Otis Smith will acquire a pick from Seattle or Portland, both of whom hold onto the 32nd and 33rd picks, respectively. Here are the options Orlando has if it does trade into the high second-round…

2nd Round-Likely Candidates

With Orlando more than likely selecting a shooting guard with the 22nd pick, there is a very good chance the Magic will look for a physical big man. A shooting or point guard could be an option as well if Orlando goes big in the first round. 

Courtney Lee, SG, Western Kentucky, Sr-
Lee could go in the first as I already mentioned, but he could possibly be around in the second as well, but this is more of a pipe-dream.

Joes Dorsey, PF/C, Memphis, Sr-
Strengths: A physical, strong and tenacious post player. Dorsey buckles down on D and will mix it up with the best of them. He is fearless in the post and hits the boards very hard. Actually he is possibly the best rebounder in the draft. Dorsey is also a good shot-blocker and has surprising athleticism for a man who weighs 265 lbs.
Weaknesses: There are only a few weaknesses with Dorsey, but they are glaring. He stands at only 6’7” and that will hurt his stock. Dorsey also doesn’t have a refined offensive game, although the potential is there for him to be more than adequate. Dorsey was also born in 1983, meaning he is two years older than most other seniors in the draft.
My Call: Dorsey would bring the physicality Orlando has been lacking in the post for some time. He might be an offensive liability, but the Magic sorely need big-man help and Dorsey would offer that.

D.J White, PF, Indiana, Sr-
Strengths: A well-rounded athlete who seems to do nearly everything well. He might be a little undersized at 6’8”, but his 7” wingspan is a huge asset, especially in terms of shot-blocking, which he is very good at.  White is a good offensive player with nice touch and a variety of low-post moves. He is a real good athlete as well. White is also a very good rebounder on offense and defense.
Weaknesses: White doesn’t dominate and that might be his biggest knock. He isn’t big enough to own the post but he hasn’t expanded his game enough to cause mismatches on offense.
My Call: Would be a great pickup for Orlando, as he seems to be the type of player who flies under the radar because he doesn’t excel at any one aspect. He is consistent and plays the game right…I’d love to see him lining up next to Dwight, and he could contribute immediately.

Bill Walker, SG/SF, Kansas St, Fr-
Strengths: An incredible athlete with phenomenal jumping ability, Walker can get by on athleticism alone. Has the ability to absolutely explode at times on offense and can go on huge scoring runs. He can make the open trey, but needs to be more consistent. Walker is raw, but he has a world of potential.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent and inexperienced, Walker needs to mature some and won’t contribute right away. He also suffered a knee injury that slowed him down and that could be a problem. Walker doesn’t have an array of moves on offense and relies too much on his natural ability at times.
My Call: Walkers’ potential is intriguing, but he isn’t what Orlando needs and at 6’5”, he fits the bill of a ‘tweener.

Gary Forbes, SG/SF, Massachusetts, Sr-
Strengths: A balanced slasher with experience and great bball IQ. Forbes has great size (6’6”, 220 lbs.) and uses it as he regularly gets to the rack and finishes. Forbes is a solid ball-handler, which adds to his versatility. He is a stat-filler, as he does everything necessary to win. One of those guys who gets it done and knows how to win.
Weaknesses: Forbes will be 23 soon and his ceiling isn’t too high, although he has improved every season.  He too doesn’t dominate, especially against a lower level of competition. Forbes also is a below-average shooter and athlete, but he seems to find a way.
My Call: Will never be a star, but Forbes is the type of guy you need to win. His versatility and determination would be a great fit off the bench for the Magic, and if he had a better shot he’d be a first-round pick, no doubt.

Jamont Gordon, PG/SG/SF, Mississippi St, Jr-
Strengths: A versatile combo-guard with tremendous size (6’4”, 220 lbs.) He is thick and can do some damage in the post on offense. Gordon can score and defend at a top-level, and his size allows him to play three positions.
Weaknesses: Gordon is an inconsistent player who can distribute the ball immaculately in one-half and then get very sloppy the next. His shot is like that too, as he is extremely streaky. He also mentally falls asleep at times.
My Call: a talented player with a lot of skill, but inconsistencies might bog him down. He is worth a risk and would be a good potential replacement for Keyon Dooling (if he leaves), but Orlando needs a guy who is ready to contribute immediately and I’m not sure he can be that player.

Richard Hendrix, PF, Alabama, Jr-
Strengths: A brute force down low with a big, girthy body (6’8”, 250 lbs.)  Hendrix is a good man-on-man defender and also excels at rebounding. He is very consistent and also is a solid shot-blocker due to a long wing-span. Hendrix is perhaps the strongest player in the draft.
Weaknesses: Not a very good scorer down low and lacks athleticism to dominate. Hendrix also is a little slow and can get bogged down at times. He never really lived up to expectations and is considered somewhat of an under-achiever.
My Call: Hendrix would be my top choice for Orlando. He isn’t flashy, but he is gritty and I love his consistency and that will translate over to the NBA.

Other Possibilities: It is difficult to pin-point a target in the second round, but guards such as Kyle Weaver (a combo guard from Washington St.) or CDR if he falls that far. I doubt if Orlando trades for a second rounder that the team will use the pick on a foreign or young player that will need to take time to develop.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 at 7:54 pm and is filed under Orlando Magic. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.