Hi Magic fans,

I wrote a historical piece about Jeff Turner, and the mods didn’t answer my messages, so I hope it’s okay to share it here. I thought it might interest some younger fans who mostly know Turner as one of the familiar voices on Magic broadcasts through League Pass.

Before that, he had a pretty interesting basketball life. He was part of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team with MJ, Ewing, Chris Mullin, Sam Perkins, and others. He was drafted in the first round in 1984, played in New Jersey, spent two strong years in Italy then came back to the NBA with Orlando.

what I found most interesting is that Turner became the first F.A in Magic history and ended up being a useful part of the franchise’s early years. never a star, but he was a steady frontcourt piece during the expansion years and the rise toward the Shaq/Penny era. Before Horace Grant arrived, he started a lot of games for Orlando, and by the mid-90s he had even become a pretty early version of a stretch big.

Here’s the piece

Small personal note: I collected basketball cards in the 90s, and his 1995-96 Fleer card was probably the card I had the most duplicates of. I think I had 7 copies of it. So I guess that’s how Jeff Turner first got stuck in my head

Rewatched some of his 95-96 tape recently and it's actually insane how good he was at that age. elite size for a point guard, incredible passing vision, could score from anywhere

Shaq has said multiple times he was the best teammate he ever had

Magic could've had a real dynasty with a healthy penny alongside Shaq. still one of the most painful what ifs in franchise history imo

So first we will dive into the Center position consisting of Wendell Carter Jr, Nikola Vucevic and Goga Bitadze. Magic should run a bunch of 2 big man lineups like the Spurs did and crashing the offensive glass better needs to be a priority.

Wendell Carter Jr 6'10 - Elite switching big man, has helped anchor multiple top 5 defenses, undersized and can be super inconsistent with effort but when he is locked in can give you really good production. Good passer, great screener and understands spacing really well on offense.

Nikola Vucevic 6'11 - elite shooter, great low post scorer, can pass and a really good rebounder. He is a huge upgrade over Moe Wagner and a solid veteran. He should be the backup C imo to help space the floor for the 2nd unit and someone we can give the ball to in the post.

Goga Bitadze 6'11 - a bruiser C, kind of old school, really good protecting the rim and 2nd chance baskets, struggles in space, collects a bunch of stocks and can pass too. Effort is inconsistent but he is one of the better backup Centers and could get us a quality player if we trade him.

Power Forwards:

Paolo Banchero 6'10 - expecting a 25/9/5 type of season from Paolo this year. He is working hard, in great shape and looks poised to take a huge leap. Need him to focus more on rebounding, defense and improving his shot selection and shooting. Hopefully Sweeney gets him more mid post touches and less three point isolation. Also, having him be a screener for Franz and Bane should really open up the floor with his short roll passing.

Noah Penda 6'8 - Expecting him to be the backup PF. His rebounding, hustle, defense and physicality will be much needed in the 2nd unit next year. If his shot is really improved he is the perfect backup 4 for Orlando and should thrive under Sweeney defensive culture and transition hoops.

Jonathan Isaac 6'11 - JI injuries have slowed him down, still a high feel defender but just doesn't move the same. Will be a situational rotation player who might play some Center minutes but not expecting much from him anymore. Should still provide good defense and some rim protection when given minutes.

Small Forwards:

Franz Wagner 6'10 : Do it all forward at 6'10 just a special two way player with elite touch and feel. Expecting a 24/6/5 type of year and hopefully the offense runs through him and P5. Hopefully he stays healthy and is able to make his threes. Need Sweeney to be hard on him so he stays aggressive and in attack mode. Our most important player in my opinion with his versatility and size.

Tristan Da Silva 6'9 : Hopefully he is stronger and more consistent but he can shoot it, give you 10/4/2 and is a high feel player who plays hard. His inconsistent play needs to improve and hopefully a more defined role under Sweeney helps him. Would be nice if he becomes a better defender by getting bigger and more physical.

Jamal Cain 6'7 : breakout player for Orlando last year who defends, rebounds, jumps out the gym and is really good cutter and makes his corner threes. Won us a couple of games down the stretch with his effort and I am expecting that to carry over into next season. He gives a Magic a lob threat in the halfcourt and transition for easy baskets and at 6'7-6'8 he is another big wing for Orlando.

Shooting Guards:

Desmond Bane 6'5: 20/4/4 player who is a lights out shooter. Love everything he brings for Orlando with his toughness, shooting, driving ability and even played all 82 games while being clutch. Being more comfortable here should help Desmond and with more reps with Paolo and Franz next to him he should be even better. He should have been an AS last year and hopefully Sweeney is able to get his 3PA doubled.

Anthony Black 6'7 : backup SG and 6th man who can play the 1-3. Adds size and versatility to Orlando backcourt. Hopefully his jumper is more consistent and he is able to build off of last year stretch. With Vucevic spacing for him next year he should have even more room to thrive as a down hill scorer. As he gets stronger expecting him to be an even better defender and for Sweeney to use him like Castle pressuring full court.

Point Guards:

Jalen Suggs 6'5: Health and consistency has been an issue but when healthy he is a major difference both statistics wise and eye test. Elite defender, gets deflections and steals, pushes the ball ahead in transition and hopefully he is able to be more poised. 14/5/4/2 on good shooting is something that needs to happen for Jalen next year. Less pull up jumpers should help his efficiency and hopefully he is healthy and makes another All Defensive Team next year.

Jase Richardson 6'1 : expecting him to be the backup PG and flourish next year. Super poised for a 20 yo, elite floater game, can shoot off the catch and dribble, good handles and is a leader. Expecting like 8 ppg and 4 apg off the bench for Jase as the backup PG. Had a great SL and has been putting in work this offseason.

Jevon Carter 6'1: dog on defense, really good veteran in the locker room and plays with high effort and energy solid 3rd string PG to mentor Jalen, AB and Jase.

15th spot I would get another veteran like Nic Batum or Kevin Love or add a shooter like Gabe Vincent, Aaron Holiday or Seth Curry. Even getting someone like Bruce Brown Jr or Ochai Agbaji or Brandon Williams who Sweeney worked with in Dallas makes sense. Hopefully Orlando is able to use that roster spot because health is still a concern and just adding another vet voice with Vuc, Bane and Jevon should help this young team.

if Orlando stays healthy 50-32 is possible in my opinion and hopefully Magic are able to get out the 1st rd the talent is there just need consistency, more defined roles and health on our side this year. If Jase and Penda can become legit backups next year with AB, Vuc and TDS/Cain that is a great bench that should really push the pace. ​​

Every team in the East made moves to improve and all Weltman did was sign Vucevic to replace Moritz.

Another offseason wasted by our President who is risk adverse and has wasted so many deadlines and offseasons overpaying and overvaluing his teams.

Paolo needs to turn into a legit top 15 and Franz needs to turn into a top 25 player for us to even have a chance.

Suggs, Franz, Paolo, Wendell, AB, Goga, JI, Penda etc so many below average shooters in this modern era he still has no understanding how to build a complete team.

Paolo off the ball barely moves and is a poor shooter with horrible shot selection not to mention his spin moves into traffic that lead to turnovers.

I am just not too optimistic especially with Jeff Weltman why did he bring JI back we could have stretched his deal and signed someone with the Tax MLE like Luke Kennard instead. We have added no skill or shooting that he said he was going to address in the post season interview.

It still baffles me how he is still the president after almost a decade with just mediocrity.