With the start of the 2013-14 NBA season rapidly approaching, we thought it only fair to share what makes each team so exciting. Ontologically speaking, all 30 teams deserve our eyeballs this season. Even disastrous lineups still present oodles of plays, personalities, highlights and headaches. Here are five things to keep in mind for each team before flipping the channel.
Next up, a Magic team that’s still renovating its roster.
[5 Reasons To Watch: Kings, Lakers, Knicks, 76ers, Bobcats, Cavs, Magic, Warriors, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Clippers, Clippers, Rockets, Bulls, Pistons, Bucks, Nets, Pacers, Wizards, Thunder, Heat, Mavericks, Celtics, Raptors Hawks, Spurs, Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, Suns, Jazz]
The Orlando Magic will be one of the most talked about teams this year, and not because of how they play on the court.
Orlando is chock full of young wings and big men. If this were any other year, they would be the perfect candidate for a blockbuster deal. Isn’t it funny to think that GM Rob Hennigan actually WON the Dwight Howard trade? But this is no ordinary year. This is the year of Andrew Wiggins, and if you fell asleep over the offseason, then just know there are a multitude of teams trying to tank for the purpose of landing the “Riggin’ for Wiggins” (â„¢Grantland) sweepstakes this year.
Orlando probably has the most talented tank team in recent history. Make no mistake they will be competitive night in and night out, but they will lose a lot of close games. It’s up to coach Jacque Vaughn to get as little as possible out of his roster without making it look like they’ve totally given up already.
With that said, players like No. 2 pick Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris, Kyle O’Quinn, Nikola Vucevic, Arron Afflalo, and Moe Harkless aren’t just going to lie down and accept these losses without a fight (or should I say without highlights). The Magic have the pieces to transform into a poor man’s Oklahoma City Thunder circa 2009-10. However, adding a top-5 pick —which will likely add Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle, Dante Exum, or Marcus Smart — will make this team’s turnaround from pretender to contender happen at a much faster pace.
But before we look too far into the future, let’s get back to why you should watch the Magic this season.
*** *** ***
Victor Oladipo’s athleticism
In the words of Rick James, Victor Oladipo is a “super freak.” Oladipo’s athleticism is off the charts. The pre-draft numbers — 33 in No Step Vertical, 42 in Maximum Vertical, 10.69 sec Lane Agility, 3.25 sec 3/4 Court Sprint — don’t do him justice when you actually watch him play. During his junior year with Indiana, he made SportsCenter’s Top 10 Countdown for a dunk he DIDN’T make. The popular pick to take home this year’s Rookie of The Year award, Oladipo will get plenty of opportunities to show off his game. The anticipation for Oladipo’s athletic feats will be through the roof every time he sets foot on the court. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be the first person to tweet about the amazing play ‘Dipo pulled off
Can Nikola Vucevic continue his dominance of the Miami Heat?
Nikola Vucevic had the biggest breakout year last season of anyone not named Paul George. Initially considered a throwaway in the Dwight Howard three-team mega deal, Vucevic went on to average 13.1 PPG and 11.9 RPG in 33.2 MPG. One team that Vucevic continuously had his way with was none other than the two-time champion Miami Heat. In their four meetings, Vucevic had two 20 and 20 games. Besting the likes of Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, and Chris Andersen in the process. With a new season comes another four games to try and match or even outdo last years numbers. Look out Miami.
Click the next page for three more reasons to check out the Magic this season…
Tobias Harris: Social Media All-Star
Tobias Harris has gone on the record to say he believes that he could be an All-Star caliber player as early as this season. While I applaud his confidence and determination, I don’t foresee that happening. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett and Paul George are all but locks to make the team again. What Harris does excel at though is Twitter.
Day 2 Cold tub it up!! ðŸ›â„ï¸ @iambigbaby11 pic.twitter.com/cQeNAmuomh
— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) October 2, 2013
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Harris is one of the most active tweeters in the NBA and doesn’t shy away from letting his opinions be known. If you aren’t following him yet, do so immediately on Twitter and Instagram.
Glen “Big Baby” Davis
Glen Davis is one of the more charismatic players in the league today. Not quite as appealing as a Magic Johnson and not quite as erratic as a Dennis Rodman, Big Baby falls somewhere in between. His passion for the game makes him lovable and easy to root for. His decisions on- and off-the-court leave some with questions. After injuring his foot and missing almost over half of last season, it was easy to forget about the former LSU star, but his teddy bear build and ability to hit take shots from 15 feet, make him a productive player that can be a critical cog of a contending team (e.g. the 2008 Boston Celtics). Davis is perhaps most well-known for his Shrek and Donkey playoff interview with Nate Robinson. The possibility of him replicating a play like that with Victor Oladipo brings me great joy.
Jacque Vaughn’s “Blue Steel”
Jacque Vaughn is one of the youngest coaches in the NBA. He will have plenty of time to try and put together a coaching resume that rivals his mentor Gregg Popovich. Try reading that sentence without laughing…for right now at least. However, one thing he does shares with Pop is a decided lack of emotion on the bench. I’m sure Vaughn is tuned in to every game he coaches and is completely invested as a coach, but you wouldn’t be able to tell it by watching him on the sidelines. His lack of emotional display is only rivaled by the likes of Stonewall Jackson and Pawnee’s own Ron Swanson. Now, I’m not saying Vaughn needs to be as animated as a stand-up comedian, but a couple new looks never hurt anybody, just ask Derek Zoolander. Tune in this season to see if Vaughn’s added Magnum to his game face repertoire.
What do you think?
Follow Brandon on Twitter at @DOTcom_2.
Follow Dime on Twitter at @DimeMag.
Become a fan of Dime Magazine on Facebook HERE.
