Magical Stuff

by Wes Cox on Dec 17, 2007 4:19 PM CST in News

Shamefully, I haven't seen an Orlando game all season, so I'm quite looking forward to watching Dwight Howard and his ridiculous 23.7ppg (10th in NBA), 15.4 rpg (1st), and 2.7 bpg (3rd) tonight. He's more than one persons pick for MVP at this point.

Magic Last Six:
W-L-L-L-W-L

Last Season:
Mavs 111 @ 95 Magic
Magic 98 @ 103 Mavs
Jan Hubbard wrote an entire article about Orlando in the Star-Telegram today comparing them to the Orlando teams of the Shaq era.

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Third Quarter Collapse - The Orlando Magic Blog of SB Nation

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Rashard Lewis (18.9ppg, 5.4apg, 20 million dollars) missed the last game with a stiff neck but will play through the pain tonight.

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While Dallas has been playing better lately, Orlando might be heading in the other direction.

"It is a very difficult time for us right now," Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We are just not playing well enough."

The Magic still have the best road record in the NBA (12-3), but even they don't believe that leaving Central Florida will cure their recent woes. Their lack of defense -- especially early in the game -- has been glaring, prompting Van Gundy to consider changing his lineup.

In four of the last five games -- in each of the losses -- the opponent has scored at least 28 points in the first quarter, forcing them to play from behind each time. Even the dominance of center Dwight Howard hasn't been enough to overcome their defensive snoozes.

It's kind of funny; Orlando has been the talk of the NBA at times this season while Dallas has been considered one of the biggest disappointments.

Dallas: 16-9
Orlando: 17-8.

How about that for perspective?

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Comments

I'm pretty excited about this game.

Howard is on a very short list of my favorite non-Mav players. I'm just curious to see what Avery's strategy is going to be to try and contain the man-child.

I don't know anyone who enjoys the game that doesn't like watching him play.

by DitchThePlaybook on Dec 17, 2007 5:03 PM CST reply actions

Magic have been sucking lately

It's been a bit of a letdown since their 4-1 road trip and they've been losing to teams they should be beating (the latest being the Grizzlies without Pau Gasol; I believe they allowed 123 points in that game).

I'm fortunate to see Magic games whenever I can; technically all of their games should be available to those of us living in Orlando but there is a debacle going on between Brighthouse Networks and FSN (basically, Brighthouse doesn't carry FSN and about half of the Magic games are on Fox Sports Net).

Basically everything that's being said about Dwight Howard is true. He's been working with Patrick Ewing, who is now one of the Magic's assistant coaches, and although he's improved, his area of weakness is still at the free throw line. Hedo Turkoglu has been very consistent so far this season and Rashard Lewis (who should play tonight despite the neck spasms) has been good as well. Jameer Nelson's been up and down, but I've been giving him a break due to the death of his father and everything. To me, personally, Keith Bogans has been a surprise; he used to come off the bench but is now in the starting five. He plays good defense and has been known to hit some big three pointers when needed.

Didn't mean to write a whole manifesto here...I'll be rooting for the Mavericks, of course, but if the Magic win tonight, I most likely won't mind :) (unless the Mavericks play like total crap)

by Marie on Dec 17, 2007 5:06 PM CST reply actions

I was awaiting your input

That's crazy about the TV rights issue in Orlando.

by Wes Cox on Dec 17, 2007 5:55 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, it's really stupid

I believe it's over money, which is the usual. It doesn't look like it'll be resolved any time soon.

The Magic this year are reminiscent, so far, of how they were last year at this time. They started out hot, but sputtered throughout the season. It's sort of like a pattern: they go under the radar, win a bunch of games, people get on the band wagon, and they lose and play mediocre. It's hard to say if this is attributable (is that even a word?) to failure to live up to expectations or media/fan pressure.

However, I think things will be different this year simply because of the new coach. Van Gundy speaks his mind and doesn't baby them, and oh yeah, he actually knows how to coach, unlike his recent predecessors (Doc Rivers, Johnny Davis, and Brian Hill).

by Marie on Dec 17, 2007 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

Perspective

The teams' records don't exist in a vacuum. The Mavericks have been elite for several years now. It says a lot about a franchise and its success over the past several seasons. In contrast, the Magic haven't won a playoff series since 1996 (I was in elementary school) and are only just now becoming relevant again. Thus, their similar records belie their respective expectations.

Third Quarter Collapse: An SB Nation blog for Orlando Magic fans

by Evan Dunlap on Dec 17, 2007 7:35 PM CST reply actions

That's fine

As far as media chatter goes. But once you get to the playoffs (and both of these teams will) the records DO exist in a vacuum. If you make the playoffs 82-0 or 60-22, it doesn't matter if you can't win the first game and keep open court. Given the extreme inferiority of the Eastern Conference, the fact that the Mavs and Magic have similar records really speaks better of the Mavs.

Now, you may have more reason to be excited about the Magic being relevant (hell, I went INSANE when the Mavs won against the Jazz in 2001). But as far as showing the relative ability of the teams to go into the post season, the Mavs have the edge.

by BrodyV on Dec 17, 2007 9:19 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not saying the Magic are better, but

... they are exceeding expectations whereas Dallas hasn't. That's why Dallas has been labeled -- perhaps unfairly -- as a disappointment and Orlando has been labeled -- again, perhaps unfairly -- as a pleasant surprise. I guess what it comes down to is if someone told you before the season that the Mavs would be 16-9 after 25 games, you'd be pleased; however, if someone told you the Magic would be 17-8 during the same timeframe, you'd be mildly surprised at the least. That's all I'm saying.

Third Quarter Collapse: An SB Nation blog for Orlando Magic fans

by Evan Dunlap on Dec 17, 2007 10:25 PM CST up reply actions

I guess

for me it comes down to this-

A 67 win season, followed by the first ever 1 seed first round playoff loss makes you care very little about the first 25 games. WTF ever. I couldn't honestly care any less about the win loss record at this point. After last season I wouldn't be surprised if the Mavs were 21-4 during the regular season, or 10-15.

To be honest, I'm far more concerned about HOW the Mavs have gotten to a (now) 17-9 record. They've looked sluggish, played horrible defense, and Dirk hasn't ever looked on. Josh has done great things, but he needs to be becoming a complementary player not the big cheeze if the Mavs want to win this year (that's not to say that an MVP howard + all-star Dirk doesn't get it done in the future). I really think that this is one area where the records are complete BS, and you have to look at who and how the teams have actually played.

Now, your comparison I think would be more valid with the Suns or Spurs. But given the psychological damage that Dallas sustained last year, the beginning of this year was a complete tossup. They've looked good, they've looked bad. I think the bad is winning out, but talent has led them to wins they didn't really deserve (See Also: Cowboys, Dallas.).

by BrodyV on Dec 17, 2007 10:43 PM CST up reply actions

i sorta agree

i agree with you when you say it's about how they've played, not how many they've won. it's been very disappointing to see them collapse halfway through games over and over again.

on the other hand, if josh turns into a bonafide superstar, i have no problem with him being the go to guy. as of now, he looks like he has an all around more versatile game than dirk. you never know if he can hit the 3, slash in, or even pull up for a nice floater.

by bluefish on Dec 18, 2007 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, don't get me wrong

I'd love for Howard to surpass Dirk- Josh is younger, cheaper, and a better "leader" than Dirk. He's got an edge that Dirk will apparently never have.

But, if that's the way it goes- Josh as Batman and Dirk as Robin, then it's going to take a season or two to work that out to Finals quality. We won't iwn the championship this year if that happens. Now, two years from now it's probably more likely. But it would just mean an adjustment period.

by BrodyV on Dec 18, 2007 1:45 PM CST up reply actions