Overall, Anderson showed flashes of brilliance, and I mean that. He scored in double-figures in 5 of his 6 starts, with the lone exception being a major outlier of a game in which he missed 10 of his 11 three-point attempts. And in back-to-back games in March, he scored 38 points in 43 minutes on 13-of-24 shooting. If he trims his usage a bit, improves his passing, and tightens up defensively, he could be a fringe All-Star within a few more years. Remember, he’s only 22, and has plenty of time to improve.
My worry is that he might not get that opportunity in Orlando, which owes Lewis more than $60 million over the next three seasons. Sure, Anderson can count on an uptick in playing time as Lewis ages, but he won’t crack 18 minutes per game. Will the Magic have the patience to stick with Anderson? Or will the long-term commitment to Lewis make Anderson expendable? I certainly hope, for the Magic’s sake, that they take the former approach. Anderson’s a rare talent. Big men who can shoot the three and rebound are valuable commodities in this league, especially surrounding a guy like Howard, who needs some space to work inside. Anderson’s the youngest of the players who fit that profile. I mean, compare some of his stats this year to those of Lewis’ All-Star campaign last year. Then consider his age. Then try to tell yourself that Anderson doesn’t belong.
via Evaluating Ryan Anderson – Orlando Pinstriped Post.
SVG is a tremendous coach. For all the ridiculous talk about panicking, the man simply wins, and does so while developing young talent. He hasn’t shown a reliance on any one particular facet (veterans being the common one), and has shown an ability to make adjustments when he needs to. He’s been bested because the other team was better. Not because he was somehow a failure. That said, his reluctance to rely on unproven players killed him this year just like it kills so many coaches.
I pondered this over at PBT only to watch it occur. I like to think Stan read my piece, realized the folly of his ways, and turned to J.J.
Or, you know, not.
Either way, he never did turn to Anderson. The struggle is this. You’re down 3-0. The Celtics have tossed you around the room like you’re a ragdoll and they’re some sort of demented toddler hellbent on destruction (or as I like to call him, “Big Baby Davis”). Nothing you have done has worked and you’re in desperate need of a stretch four that can knock down threes and rebound. “Oh, hey Ryan Anderson, sorry, didn’t mean to step on your foot… Anyway, WHERE COULD WE FIND SUCH A MAN?!”
Anderson’s production has been there. He’s a terrific asset, and he looks like the piece New Jersey shouldn’t have surrendered. That he’s now trapped three deep on Orlando is a shame. He’s capable of so much more, and if the Magic don’t want to use him, that’s fine, but let’s go see what he can do elsewhere. Trapping him long term in Orlando is a waste of his potential. If you’re not going to use him anyway, go get a Collins brother or someone else equally useless. Don’t pen up the kid that can shoot.
The small market teams should be making eyes at Orlando, offering to take Carter off their hands if they throw Ryan Anderson in. Getting a versatile perimeter forward with size, good health, and who’s young while tagging Carter for some cap space in order to better prepare yourself for the new CBA would be a pretty wise move. Either way, Anderson’s gotta get sunlight.
