The Orlando Magic tip off the pre-season tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Can you believe that the NBA season is here all ready! Just a couple months ago, the Orlando Magic were battling the Los Angeles Lakers for league supremacy. In case you have been in a cave the last few months, alot has changed for our Eastern Conference Champions.

Key Players Subtracted: Hedo Turkoglu, Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, Tony Battie

Key Players Added: Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes, Jason Williams, Ryan Anderson

Here is a little information about our newest Magic players:

Vinsanity was acquired by the Magic along with Ryan Anderson from the New Jersey Nets for Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Tony Battie. Magic fans everywhere were upset about the loss of promising SG Courtney Lee, but I think this was just emotional. To get a player the caliber of Vince Carter, who has averaged 23.5 pts, 5.5 rbs, 4.3 asts for his career AND steal away promising 6'10" forward Ryan Anderson for three role players, this trade was a no brainer for the Magic. Let's not forget that the Magic weren't going to be able to resign Hedo Turkoglu. A trade had to be made. Playing alongside a big man the caliber of Dwight Howard, I think we will see the dominate Vince Carter of old.

The Magic went out and got Dwight Howard some help under the boards. Brandon Bass was signed by the Magic for one reason: REBOUND.

At 6'8" 250 lbs., Brandon Bass isn't the biggest of the Magic big men, but he is one of the strongest. In just under 20 minutes per game last year, Bass averaged 4.5 rbs per game. With Bass expected to play at 25 minutes per game for the Magic, look for that average to creep up near the 7.0 rpg mark. The addition of Bass will also give the Magic the flexibility to go with a more traditional style of play every so often.

Remember how the Magic used to be labeled soft? I think the addition of Matt Barnes will help erase that label. Barnes is a tough guy who will be a big help in guarding the NBA's top shooting guards and small forwards. With his hard nosed defense, I fully expect a few tussles this year. Barnes and Brandon Bass are expected to fill in for Rashard Lewis, who is being suspended by the NBA for the first 10 games of the regular season.