Matt Barnes Signs with Orlando Magic
62Matt Barnes
Matt Barnes Signs with Orlando Magic
In what has been a very busy off season for the defending NBA Eastern Conference Champions, the Orlando Magic signed free-agent forward Matt Barnes.
Matt Barnes signed a 2-year contract with details not disclosed per team policy.
Barnes is a very versatile forward standing at 6'7 with good skills to drive to the basket and a decent perimeter game. He had career highs with the Phoenix Suns averaging about 10 points and 5 rebounds a game.
I think the Magic have done a great job in the off season to stay competitive for the upcoming 2009-2010 season.
They have so far added superstar Vince Carter to their roster as well as power forward Brandon Bass. Not to mention they also retained the rights to Marcin Gortat.
I have to hand it to Otis Smith, general manager of the Magic. He has definitely stepped up to the plate to keep this team ready for a return to the NBA Finals.
While the other additions have been great to the team, this is the kind of move that is little enough to go under the radar but could pay big dividends deep into the NBA playoffs.
Last season Mickael Pietrus played a huge role down the stretch which helped the Orlando Magic dispose of the Cleveland Cavs in the playoffs.
I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't do the same this upcoming year.
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I think it's a great pick-up! Matt Barnes played with the Phoenix Suns last season and had good numbers despite not starting. I think he will also fit well with the Magic offense in their running up to the 3-pt line and shooting and/or giving the ball down below to Howard for the transition dunk-style of offense :) And also with Vince Carter to drive to the lane, this will be an improved offense. I know, hard to say when Hedo Turkoglu played so well last season but I am optimistic.
I am very excited for the upcoming season as well. Before you know it, basketball season will be upon us.
If you would have asked me two seasons ago about Shaq going to the Cavs, I would have said put a fork in him! But after seeing him last season, I am convinced he will be just as good if not better than last year with Lebron James directing the offense. James will make shots easy for him, and give him the ball in position to dunk it home. The only concern for Shaq is whether or not he will stay healthy throughout the course of the season.
I think from the Magic's perspective I am more concerned with the Celtics just because they have good defense and a big man in Kevin Garnett to take away the apparent advantage the Magic have versus any other team in the league. His experience and overall game would give problems to Howard. Whereas Shaq would put a big body to stop Howard on occasion, Howard is quick enough to go around the Big Diesel and dunk it home, as he did last season when the two faced off versus each other in Orlando.
Dwight Howard could overpower Garnett in the post, but Howard is going to have to go outside and defend his mid-range jumper and his quickness to the basket, as well.
This is not including the overall experience the C's have with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce who were nightmares last season without Kevin Garnett!
My hope is that Cleveland and Boston somehow play each other and the Magic face the Cavs again since they have proven they can defeat them.
Yeah, Giants have had a tough off-season but they are still a very good team in a competitive division.
dohn121 Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago
What's your thoughts on his signing? What about Shaq signing with the Cavs? Do you think they'll be competitive or are you more concerned with the Celtics? I'm sure you're fired up about the Magic but their season won't begin for another 3 months or so. I can't wait for my Giants to start playing. The off season is the absolute worse!
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