Ryan Anderson No Longer Overlooked in Summer League

ORLANDO – Second-year forward Ryan Anderson was almost invisible when he joined the Magic alongside All-Star Vince Carter in the trade last month with New Jersey.

He is making his presence felt now.

Anderson has been the early star of the Orlando Pro Summer League, showing why he should fit quite nicely on a team that relies heavily on good shooters surrounding a dominating center like Dwight Howard.

Anderson hit 11 of 15 shots – both his 3-point attempts -- for 33 points and 15 rebounds in the Magic's 85-82 victory over the Boston Celtics. On Monday against Oklahoma City, he had 21 points and seven rebounds after struggling through the opening half.

"This is Summer League, and I know that once the season starts, I'm not expecting to score 30 points, or even 20 points in a game,'' he said. "But I have a pretty good idea of what my role will be.''

The Magic next season are hoping that Anderson, a 6-10, 240-pound forward, can give them some quality play in reserve, particularly behind Rashard Lewis, another power forward whose forte is scoring.

The Magic still expect to land a bigger, stronger power forward in free agency this week to provide some muscle, but they clearly added another shooter in Anderson.

He joined Carter in the trade that cost the Magic, promising guard Courtney Lee, who was picked one spot behind Anderson in the 2008 Draft, and veterans Tony Battie and Rafer Alston. It also cost them the chance to re-sign free agent Hedo Turkoglu, who will sign in Toronto Wednesday.

"I wouldn't say I was overlooked because this was a Vince Carter trade. It wasn't made for me,'' he said. "I just hope to fill a void, or a gap, that they have. I know they wanted me. They like me. I may be overlooked on the court because this team has so many weapons, but that's a good thing.''

Anderson averaged 7.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19.9 minutes as a rookie in New Jersey. Without a dominant center like Howard, the shots didn't come as easily as they will now.

"He (Anderson) can play,'' said Carter, who has been offering his teammate advice throughout the first two Summer League games. "He shoots. He rebounds. I already told Dwight, it will give him another option, another shooter out there, when he gets double teamed down low.''