Magic’s Team Effort Crushes Clippers
|
Feb 5, 2009
ORLANDO -- Since the Magic discovered they would be without the services of Jameer Nelson for the considerable future, they’ve been consistent in their message that one player alone would not be able to fill the shoes of their All-Star point guard.
So when the Clippers came into town ready to give Orlando its first test, who decided to step up?
Everyone.
Five players surged in to double figures for the Magic as they routed the Clippers, 125-96, at home Wednesday improving to a Southeast division best 37-11 on the season.
“Everybody played well,” All-Star forward Rashard Lewis said following the contest. “Courtney (Lee), Anthony Johnson, (Hedo) Turkoglu; all down the list I think everybody scored a basket tonight. That was the most important thing.”
But two of the players who were doubted most by national skeptics in the media were the ones to play the biggest roles in the Magic’s triumph.
Point guard Anthony Johnson and Courtney Lee combined for 46 points on a torrid 18-of-21 shooting night from the field. Johnson contributed a team-high 25 of those points, while nailing a career-high six treys.
“Obviously, I think A.J. and Courtney were unbelievable,” Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy remarked after the contest. “We dominated it throughout; I thought those guys were tremendous.”
Lee, a rookie, displayed the poise of a veteran when he was told by Van Gundy before the matchup that he would no longer be in the starting lineup. Instead of complaining, Lee realized with the absence of Nelson that he would need to spell a number of players at a few different positions in order to give Orlando its best chance at victory.
His calm demeanor was visible on the court as he went a perfect 3-of-3 from downtown and only missed a single shot from the floor on the night.
“I understood that I needed to come off the bench and backup A.J. knowing that Jameer was out,” Lee said after the game. “I just wanted to stay playing aggressive on offense and defense and it paid off.”
While the young Lee displayed the maturity of a tenured NBA player, the 12-year veteran Johnson delved into the Fountain of Youth and put on one of the best performances of his long career.
“He played great,” Lewis said in the locker room. “He hit six 3-pointers. He didn’t miss a shot. They were leaving him open and he made them pay.”
Although Johnson’s gem may have shocked people outside of the organization, it came as no surprise to those within it. There are few players in the league who work as hard as he does day in and day out.
Even after claiming the starting role as a result of Nelson’s injury, Johnson shot around for around 30 minutes following Wednesday’s extended practice, just as he always does. And he believes that played a major role in his success against the Clippers.
“It felt I shot them well today in shootaround,” Johnson said following the game. “Once I made my first one (tonight) the other ones came easily, just like when I was going around the horn in shootaround today.”
If the Magic follow in their new starting point guard’s footsteps, work ethic certainly won’t be a reason for any potential lack of success.
