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As we get into the real doldrums of the NBA offseason and the Magic's roster for the most part has taken shape we wonder aloud about chemistry.
Chemistry is something that is always brought up when it is perceived that a team may have made one to many changes or that they let go of their perceived "glue guy" which in this case would be Hedo Turkoglu.
We all love Hedo. He eats pizza, he talks funny, heck he even raps now. We heard about how he made numerous jokes in the lockerroom and generally kept everyone loose. Clearly the players wanted him to stay and Dwight also lamented the loss of his "older and younger brothers" Tony Battie and Courtney Lee.
Vince Carter who has become an afterthought in New Jersey has been seen as a me-first player and quitter mostly based on his last couple of seasons in Toronto. The truth is he was beloved by his teammates in New Jersey as well as their management. Couple that with the additions of Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson, Matt Barnes and maybe one or two more role players and was this to much to soon.
Well we asked some oft he PUNS cast to weigh in on this item and here is how they felt.
Nickel Steak:
People who talk about killing chemistry, especially 3 weeks into the offseason, are morons. Especially when the group of players being added to a team are not known cancers. I suppose you could bring up what happened in Toronto with Carter, but that was some 6-7 years ago, and it's been documented that he was a great teammate in New Jersey, even after his team started rebuilding.
The only other major additions were Bass, Barnes, Anderson and maybe Watson. I suppose if Anderson gets plastered far enough back to the bench, he might complain, but a second year player making demands will be a minor distraction at most, and I don't see it happening, and depending on how the Magic's lineup works out, he might still get 10 minutes a game. Watson would be a primary backup point if he came here, so that's a non-issue, Barnes and Pietrus would both backup at the 2 and 3, and Gortat's said he's happy to be back in Orlando.
In reality, at some point a couple of these players probably get traded. As far as I'm concerned, within 2 years, Anderson will be ready to be a full-time starter in the league, and I think Bass and Gortat already are. Between those 3 and Dwight will have 4 players who deserve to start at 2 positions, which won't work. And that's a GREAT problem to have. I mean what do you complain about there? "Waaah! We have too many quality young bigs on reasonable contracts! WAAAAH!"?
The only argument for chemistry killing is that Hedo and I guess Battie were so pivotal to team chemistry that the team will step back without their lockerroom presense. In reality, everyone in/from Orlando knows that the lockerroom leader of that team is Jameer, and that on the court, the team goes where Dwight carries them. The idea that replacing Hedo with a better player in Vince will hurt the team because of chemistry issues when Dwight and Vince are already friends is actually pretty stupid.
I'm not going to guarantee a title, or even guarantee the Magic play as well as last year. They played extremely well last year, well over their heads, a lot of things went right that didn't have to, and the conference has since improved. Still though, the idea that this team isn't better, at least on paper, is a pretty silly one.
Paul Ego:
Carter already has a rapport with Dwight and other Magic players. He lives here in the off season and was already friends with the players. Barnes, Anders, Bass, and anyone else coming in are happy to be here and to be on a winning team, a contender. You want to know the secret to good chemistry? Win. Players are ultra competitive, they want to win. Losing compounds issues and destroys chemistry, winning smoothes things over and creates chemistry.
Sure, sometimes you run into a player that has ego problems and can't accept his role on a team unless he is THE focal point. I don't think we have any of those types of players on this squad.
We had issues last season with depth, toughness, and the lack of a go to guy that can create his own shot when the offense breaks down. Guess what Otis did this of season? He addressed every single need (assuming he picks up Watson or another decent backup PG) this team has.
All last season the media found reasons to hold Orlando back and refrain from calling them an elite team. Every step of the way, Orlando proved them wrong. Now, it seems it will start over, and Orlando will start with a deficit in it's respect account. That's fine. If you look at this roster, and you have to resort to questioning team chemistry to take Orlando down a notch and make yourself feel comfortable, go for it.
What happened to that team last season that everyone drooled over and lauded their amazing chemistry? Yeah, that's what I thought.
Jareth Cutestory:
Like Mr. Ego states, winning brings a team together. What if the Magic had lost 59 games last year instead of won 59? Would team chemistry be brought into question then? Would they all still get along as good as they reportedly did? When winning is occurring, morale is high. That happens on any team, even if they all don't see Harry Potter at midnight together.
Carter is good friends with Jameer, and could be seen joking with Dwight numerous times in the past. RA played with Vince last year, Barnes and Pietrus played together. I'm sure words have been spoken to Brandon before by a Magic player. My point is these guys know each other for the most part, and Otis has done a great job at keeping good character guys in the locker room.
I predict this team will take some time to gel on the court, like any team with new players would. But once they do, look out NBA.
Maxwell Effort:
Generally speaking the whole notion of chemistry to me seems to be overrated. I know Otis always preaches chemistry and finding the right pieces and high character guys and I see no reason why getting Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson, and Matt Barnes has changed that model.
Heck take San Antonio. Beyond the obvious big 3 of Duncan, Parker, and Manu they seem to tinker with the roster every year hoping to bring in the key pieces that are going to put that team over the top. Their move for Richard Jefferson was considered a thing of beauty and a lot of pundits picked them instantly to win the championship. What is so different about what the Magic did.
In very general terms I believe if you have one really great player who sells himself out every night on the floor everyone else will follow and chemistry will just develop over time. If those guys are as talented as the Lakers, Celtics, and Magic's role players than you can see a great amount of success on the court. Winning breeds confidence and confidence breeds chemistry and we convince ourselves that our favorite players love playing with each other and if we take them apart it will fall over like a Jenga tower. It is just not true as the last 2 champions can show us. KG and Kobe do not strike me as guys I would want to hang out with but they get the absolute best out of their teams night in and night out. That to me is really what it is all about.
The Big Train:
Chemistry? We're talking about chemistry? I guess the reason why this keeps coming up is because of opinions of Vince Carter. Given that, I would note that the guy is older and wiser. That alone isn't enough, so add in that Vince couldn't be happier to be back in Central Florida - as you know he was raised in Daytona Beach - and going from what he has said is prepared to do whatever it takes to win.
Next, I guess you can argue that Gortat will become a problem. Don't count on it. He will come back and work just as hard as before, and come December 15, who knows what might happen.
This team will have plenty of time to work together and develop a feel for each other, and for those who have been with the team the longest (Dwight and Jameer?) will lead the way. If all these moves had been made right before the trade deadline I would agree that there might be some issues, but given how much time this team will have, I am not the least bit concerned.
El Fantasma:
Chemistry, that's a word I want to forget. I get flashbacks of high school, dating, pimples, and all the fun yet depressing (yeah it can be both) stuff that came with it. I think this word is over used in sports to the point where now it doesn't make any sense and people don't even pay attention to it. But because it has been brought up too many times this offseason, when it comes to the Magic, we are forced to discuss it too.
Can it be a factor? Sure, I'll give you that. If you have head case teammates it might disrupt the team and make things harder for everyone. The Orlando Magic is and has always been a team with class and has never been a place where you will find troubled (well except for Shawn Kemp that one year) players that are part of the core of the team. Right now I believe we have a group of guys, Howard, Nelson, Lewis, Carter, that are the main core of the team and are excellent athletes. I believe chemistry is contagious. If you have a happy positive locker room to begin with, the new guys will settle in and adjust to it.
Chemistry can be a problem if you are acquiring a player that is supposed to be your superstar (Shaq, AI, etc) and they are also problematic, their egos are too big, or they believe they deserve more. "Practice, Practice, we talkin bout Practice!"
I don't see this as a problem with the guys on the team right now. Hedo will be missed, don't get me wrong, but I am positive that there's other guys that will take his place and make it work. Vince Carter has something to prove, and this is his best chance to make things happen. I think they will all be focused on the trophy. I expect great things starting in November.
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