OK, here's what has to happen. Pietrus must go. I cannot STAND him. Move Lewis to the 3 and give Bass some starting minutes next to Dwight. We need a tough, physical player like him down low.
They are both shooting right at 40% from the field this season, and that is with Vince shooting terribly from the perimeter. Vince is also turning the ball over less. I do want to see him step it up and be more of an impact game-to-game, but when it comes to last night against Cleveland he was certainly not one to be singled out. Nobody shot the ball well on our team.
It was a tough loss, but I thought the Magic did ok against such a tight team. Cavs have got it together. I think they'll be the team to beat in the East. We need a few adjustments, but can definitely take them, it's not like we got blown out. Magic still are the best in my book.
I feel we have three main issues right now: 1. This team needs a distributor in the worst way, Nelson led the team with five assists, and four turn-overs in the Cleveland game. 2. Overall consistency is a huge problem for Orlando right now in every phase of the game, I just hope it gets fixed by play-off time. 3. Ball security IMO we have to many "scoring options"(albeit extremely inconsistent), and not enough "table setters". That's the main thing we're missing with Hedo, the guy was a willing passer.
Turk's APG this season for Toronto is about the same that Vince has for his career average. He is averaging a bit over 1 APG more than Vince, and Im not so sure that "what we are missing" is 1APG from a 6'10 player who doesn't play with very high BBIQ. Sadly what it comes down to is better play from the PG position. I have always came to Jameers defense in the past, but I think this team would be better off with a slashing ball mover rather than someone who is an undersized spot shooter, hindered by sporadic injuries.
You are spot on. I too used to defend Jameer, but Orlando will never win a championship with Jameer at Point Guard. He would be a great SG. I wish we would have shipped him to the Nets and kept the rookie LEE instead. I also think the players have a hard time listening to SVG just bring them down ALL the time. He's a good coach, but IMHO, a player coach is what would take this team over the top. SVG is too negative and it rubs the players all wrong.
What's wrong with this team is lack of unity. We need these guys to play better as a group. They've been doing that the last few games, and hopefully that will improve in the last stretch before the playoffs. I think we've got the talent to go a long way, we just need the guys to work together a bit better. After seeing the game against Cleveland, we're on our way, and there's still enough time left to make it happen.
The big All-Star Weekend is over, time to get back to business. We've got the 19-33 Detroit Pistons at 7pm, let's get the ball rolling with a win!
Did a nice job tonight, showin' who we are! Great job against the Pistons keeping them subdued. Big game against the Dall-*** Mavericks on Friday night, ( I hate that dude, Cuban). They're a good team with a Jerry Jones type owner. Is that a Texas thing? Go Magic!
Dude..the Mavs made out like bandits this yr. Haywood and Butler make this an extremely playoff worthy team.
Yeah, I know the Mavs were a good team before the trade, and a even better team after. However the only guy that showed up tonight for Orlando was Dwight, sure Carter, and Nelson had decent games, but other than that, nothing. The Magic cannot play like this in the playoffs if they expect to make back to the finals, they need more consistent play from everyone not named Dwight.
I'm anxious to see how things go against the Cavs @ home in Orlando. I think our guys can beat them. I think even they lost the same night we lost to Dall-***.
It's too bad the playoffs cant just start right now. The rest of the regular season is just a formality.
Jeff Van Gundy just seemed perturbed and surprised that Vince Carter refused to take a charge from LeBron James, opting instead for a half-assed swipe at the ball as Bron drove the hope. JVG said "There's no stat for giving help. Vince Carter has to be committed to the details of winning." Is he just watching Vince for the first time? Orlando can absolutely win the title, though I liked their chances a little better last year. I loved the way their offense set up last year: space the floor with outside shooters, with Howard in the middle. Howard's lack of a diverse offensive game (he has two moves: dunk, or throw a terrible looking jump hook at the backboard) wasn't as important with that dynamic. If Carter's outside shooting picks up, I like their chances better because if he's doing that, his offensive game is more diverse than Turkoglu's last year.
IDK if Van Gundy has really taken the time to look at James....I sure as heck wouldn't take a charge from that frieght train...
It was Carter being a *****, which is a recurring theme for his career. Insanely gifted player, could do anything he wanted if he gave a damn.
I don't think we can say that anymore about Howards offensive game. He's developed some nice moves as of late. I can see where he has taken it up several notches over the last 4 or 5 games. Todays game, what a great win. Why does Vince wait so long to heat up? It's killing me. He plays so soft at times and others he just dissapears. Then he will put the team on his shoulders and help get a win. Frustrating as hell.
You know, you're right. I take that back. In watching today's game, and some of the clips they were showing at halftime, he has definitely diversified his offensive game over the last couple weeks. I'm not sure why it took this long, but hey, better late than never. If Dwight Howard can make a 15 footer on any consistent basis, he will win multiple rings if there is any justice in this world.
Great win from our Magic team today, especially winning at home. LeBron had a piss poor 4th quarter, he couldn't save the day. They haven't been the same since Denver beat them. I hope we can keep playing strong, and win games like this even when Vince can only get 11 points in a game. Go Magic!
Nice win against the Rockets last night, let's see how we do in New Orleans against the Hornets tomorrow @ 9:30pm. Go Magic!
That was a cryin' shame! To be ahead by 18 points and let those mediocre Hornets come back and win is embarassing! There's no room for that kind of play by a team who wants to go the the Championship.
It's happened so many times this season. We get behind and the guys throw a barrage of desperation 3-pointers that just bounce off the backboard.
The 18pts they got from our 18 turnovers didn't help either. This team better start taking care of the ball better, or they might not make it out of the first round of the playoffs. Box Score Oh, and I love this quote from SVG after the game.......
I'm looking forward to a good game against the Miami Heat tonight @ 7pm on ESPN. We need a bounce back after that shameful Hornets game. Miami's one of those teams that gives the Magic a hard time every time we play. And with Dwayne Wade, one of the best players in the NBA, it's easy to see why.
If we take care of the basketball, we win. If Orlando gets sloppy, and turns the ball over 15-20+ times, then we loose. I don't even know if Wade is back yet, he's been out with a strained calf.
I just saw that on the Heat thread, I didn't realize he was out. I should keep up with that kind of stuff.
A great win tonight, we needed it after the Hornets game. Good game Heat fans, you guys usually have our number, but we won tonight. We'll see you again soon.
I wouldn't go that far. I think we are something like 12-3 over the last 15 meetings. It has become a great interstate rival imo.