From: ortcm@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (thomas.mcguigan)
Subject: Orlando Magic Weekly Comments
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1992 21:20:49 GMT

Orlando Magic Weekly (I hope) Comments - 11/8/92

This week's record 2-0
Overall record     2-0

Team Comments

The Magic seem to have developed some poise.  Last year, finding
themselves down by 9 at the half (against Miami) or blowing a
13 point lead during the third quarter (against Washington), the
Magic would have folded and licked their wounds.  This year they
hung in, fought back and won.  This is definitely a team with a 
new (and welcome) attitude.

Individual Comments

Anderson - Had a career night against Miami (42 pts, 6 assists, 8 rbs)
and a solid performance against Washington (16 pts, 5 assists, 7 rbs).
He is currently second to Skiles in total assists, quieting fears that
he might be unwilling to pass (after putting the ball up so much last
year).


Catledge - Left the game against Miami win the first quarter with a 
bruised rib.  Did not play against Washington.  He is listed as day-
to-day, but is expected to be ready to play against Charlotte on 
Tuesday.

Corchiani - NEWS FLASH *** Corchiani Discovers Offense.  Yes, it's
true; Chris Corchiani actually displayed an talent for offense, scoring
10 points and going 3-5 from the field.  If he continues, then Orlando's
opponents will have to start treating his lane drives as a threat, and
he should start getting some better opportunities to dish off.  He 
continues to play tenacious, pesky defense.  He played significant
minutes (considering his back-up role) in both games.

Green - DNP-CD.  If Corchiani continues to play as strongly as he has 
thus far, Green will be hard-pressed to see any playing time.  The 
Magic will probably keep him on the roster, as a hedge against injury
to either Corchiani or Skiles, but he may be the player rotated onto
the IR list when Reynolds is ready to come off.

O'Neal - O'Neal has played well in his first two games, especially on
the defensive boards (18 and 15 rbs).  He continues to have foul
trouble, but he hasn't gotten into early trouble.  His 40 min against
Washington were his longest stint thus far in his pro career.  Shaq is
still bothered by double-teaming.  The difference in his point totals
(12 vs. Miami, 22 vs. Wash.) and turnovers (8-Miami, 4-Washington)
 reflect this.  

Scott - Dennis Scott continues to play strongly.  One of the nicest
points of his play thus far is that he is no longer relying on the
long shot for all his points.  In addition to the occasional inside
shot, Scott has 6 assists in two games.  Defensively, he is staying
with his man better this year - he's no monster yet, but neither is he
a black hole.

Skiles - IMO, Skiles had a rough game against Miami.  He looked like
he was a half-step slow all night long, both defensively and
offensively.  He got into foul trouble (finishing with 5), and 
only ended up playing 29 minutes.  He looked better against Washington
(which is in some ways a moral victory in and of itself - Skiles has
histroically played poorly against Michael Adams), but is still not
as smooth as he was two years ago.  At 12-20 (for the two games), his
fg% is satisfactory, but he has yet to hit from 3 point range (0-3).
He leads the team in assists (12), but his assist/turnover ratio 
has to get better (1.5).

Turner - NEWS FLASH 2 *** Turner Finds Life On the Inside. This is 
almost more than a reporter's heart can stand ... O'Neal lives up to 
his billing, Corchiani scores off the dribble, and Jeff Turner shows
that he can play inside 18' from the basket.  In 45 min (subbing for
the injured Terry  Catledge) Turner collected 8 rebounds (3 o.r.) and
drove to the basket on a couple of occasions.  With Catledge out, and
Brian Williams still slowly coming back, his contribution was a key
part of Orlando's win.

Williams - The good news is that the 7 minutes Williams played against
Washington was both his longest and most energetic stint this year.
In addition, reasons for his mysterious lethargy were uncovered - he
has been suffering from a low-grade infection, blood tests taken last
week revealed that he is borderline anemic, urine tests run at the same
time revealed excess protein levels (any medical people care to comment
on what this might mean, the newpaper report didn't say anything about
it, finally, he has been suffering from dehydration.  Assuming that all
of these conditions are easily treatable, he should be capable of doing
more very quickly.  The bad news is that Williams had to be taken to
the locker room shortly after he left the game.  The dizzy spells he
experienced this past summer are returning - he has not actually passed
out again, but everyone is very concerned.