By SAM
GARDNER
FOXSportsFlorida.com
Magic writer
Jan. 25,
2011
Despite what their loss to Detroit on Monday night would lead you to believe, the Orlando Magic have been playing some of their best basketball of the season in the past five weeks.
In the 19 games since the Dec. 18 trades that brought in Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas, Hedo Turkoglu and Earl Clark, Orlando has gone 13-6 with an average scoring margin of 8.1 points per game.
The new players have brought an excitement back to Magic basketball that had gone missing. However, three guys who have reason not to be so excited about the trades are Jason Williams, Quentin Richardson and Chris Duhon.
Once valuable rotation players, the three veterans have been fastened to the bench since the trades, and there hasn't been much reason to think that will change. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy feels his players' pain, but, unfortunately, there isn't much he can do to help them.
"These are guys (who are) good players, who can still play very, very effectively in this league and very well," Van Gundy said. "They've got a lot of pride, and they come in here and put in a lot of work, and I have a lot of respect for them and what they do, and it's tremendously difficult for them."
Richardson has had to make the biggest adjustment of the three.
He was brought on to replace the departed Matt Barnes at small forward. After starting 19 games at the position before the trades, he has played in only seven of the past 18 games and has only totaled 48 minutes on the floor in those appearances.
Duhon, now relegated to third-string minutes at point guard behind Arenas and Jameer Nelson, has played only 23 minutes since the new players came to town. Williams has played only five minutes in one appearance since the deals were made.
"It's always tough, but I'm a pro," Richardson said of the adjustment. "I've been in the league 11 years and had ups and downs. It comes and goes, and you've got to stay ready and continue to do your stuff to stay prepared."
Richardson's preparedness paid off Monday night. The Pistons' wing players were having their way with the Magic defenders, so Van Gundy called on No. 5 to try to put a stop to the offensive feast. Not only did Richardson help limit Detroit's scoring, but he scored five points on a key run (including his first 3-pointer since Dec. 4) early in the fourth quarter.
After the game, Van Gundy left the door open for Richardson to potentially earn more consistent minutes.
"I played Q tonight," Van Gundy said. "Maybe I have to play him more. Maybe we have to play other people if these guys won't commit to it, but we've got to defend a lot better than we did tonight, and that's my responsibility."
For either Duhon or Williams, the return of injured center Malik Allen will likely mean a spot on the inactive list.
"Hopefully, on the trip we'll be able to activate him and have another big," Van Gundy said. "I haven't decided (who will take his spot on the inactive list), but, obviously, it'll be one of the guards. It really would be ideal to have another big out there who knows what we're doing and has some experience."
If there's one thing we know about Van Gundy, it's that he really cares for his players, despite his gruff exterior. If he could play all 12 guys, you know he would, but it's tough for a coach to argue with what's working.
"I understand that everything Stan is doing is to win, so I don't take anything personally or nothing like that, and I know he's not keeping me on the bench as a personal thing," Richardson said. "He's playing the guys that he's going with because they give us the best chance."
Said Van Gundy: "I feel for them, I really do. I know players don't think you do, that you just don't give a damn, but I do. It's hard for me to watch those guys have to sit. As good as they are, and as much as they work and the whole thing, it's difficult. I know it's difficult for them. It's hard as hell."
Richardson is a realist about his role on the team. If he plays, he plays. If he doesn't, he doesn't. Whatever the case, he is committed to being there for his teammates, and he will be ready to play if his name is called.
"I'm always motivated, trying to encourage my teammates and support people," Richardson said. "So as far as that goes, I'm going to continue to do what I always do."
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