It's a funny thing in the NBA. Both Cleveland and Boston seem to have forgotten about the team that beat them in the playoffs just two short months ago. Both teams are insisting that they'll make the NBA finals, and cite each other as their biggest obstacles. Ironically, the team that knocked them both out has quietly improved.
In Cleveland, all of the focus is on Shaquille O'Neal having joined the team and the impact he'll have there. In Boston, everyone's looking at veteran Rasheed Wallace's presence there and the effect he'll have on the team, especially in the event of an injury. At the end of the day, the Magic are looking as good as they did last year, and better. Here's a rundown as to the situation there:
PG. Basically right where they left off. Rafer Alston was a savior in Orlando, and carried a team that otherwise might have flopped without the presence of Jameer Nelson during a breakout season. Nelson is back, and Orlando will be in a good place.
PF- One change. Orlando still has Rashard Lewis (after his 10 game suspension) and instead of Tony Battie, they have converted to a young athletic Brandon Bass, who will average the same point total but rebound better. They also will have a big shooter in Ryan Anderson who can shoot the 3-ball and score.
C: Business as usual. Dwight Howard at center is about as much as any NBA team could possibly ask for. Backing him up will be Marcin Gortat.
SG: Probably the team's weakest position, the team is at least deeper here. With Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes to choose from, both are formidable options at the position and both can contribute offensively and defensively. On the bench will be the young JJ Redick.
SF - Most magic fans were upset Orlando did not throw 10 Million a year at Turk but that was before they knew Vince Carter was coming. Carter is an upgrade at the SF position. He can shoot the 3 ball as well as Turk. He can handle the ball as well as Turk. He can create his own shot better than Turk which is something Orlando lacked last year. He will provide a deeper threat freeing up Dwight Howard from double teams. He can jump over most centers which will create more dunks off points and put more teams in foul trouble which Turk could not. He is shorter but I think that sacrifice was well worth it. Bigger is not always better. He can pass the ball as well as Turk. He is 32 and Turk was 31. He is a 8 time All-star player and Turk was a 0 time All-star, even though he should have been one in 2007-2008. Vince also has better defense.Vince was a major upgrade at SF.
So again, why are the Orlando Magic underdogs? Because they let Turkoglu and Courtney Lee leave? They have upgraded at their positions on all levels. This unit makes the Magic more versatile. They still have shooters but now they have adding play-making abilities and rebounding to their arsenal of talent. The Eastern Conference still belongs to the Magic and will be the team to beat in the East.
In Cleveland, all of the focus is on Shaquille O'Neal having joined the team and the impact he'll have there. In Boston, everyone's looking at veteran Rasheed Wallace's presence there and the effect he'll have on the team, especially in the event of an injury. At the end of the day, the Magic are looking as good as they did last year, and better. Here's a rundown as to the situation there:
PG. Basically right where they left off. Rafer Alston was a savior in Orlando, and carried a team that otherwise might have flopped without the presence of Jameer Nelson during a breakout season. Nelson is back, and Orlando will be in a good place.
PF- One change. Orlando still has Rashard Lewis (after his 10 game suspension) and instead of Tony Battie, they have converted to a young athletic Brandon Bass, who will average the same point total but rebound better. They also will have a big shooter in Ryan Anderson who can shoot the 3-ball and score.
C: Business as usual. Dwight Howard at center is about as much as any NBA team could possibly ask for. Backing him up will be Marcin Gortat.
SG: Probably the team's weakest position, the team is at least deeper here. With Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes to choose from, both are formidable options at the position and both can contribute offensively and defensively. On the bench will be the young JJ Redick.
SF - Most magic fans were upset Orlando did not throw 10 Million a year at Turk but that was before they knew Vince Carter was coming. Carter is an upgrade at the SF position. He can shoot the 3 ball as well as Turk. He can handle the ball as well as Turk. He can create his own shot better than Turk which is something Orlando lacked last year. He will provide a deeper threat freeing up Dwight Howard from double teams. He can jump over most centers which will create more dunks off points and put more teams in foul trouble which Turk could not. He is shorter but I think that sacrifice was well worth it. Bigger is not always better. He can pass the ball as well as Turk. He is 32 and Turk was 31. He is a 8 time All-star player and Turk was a 0 time All-star, even though he should have been one in 2007-2008. Vince also has better defense.Vince was a major upgrade at SF.
So again, why are the Orlando Magic underdogs? Because they let Turkoglu and Courtney Lee leave? They have upgraded at their positions on all levels. This unit makes the Magic more versatile. They still have shooters but now they have adding play-making abilities and rebounding to their arsenal of talent. The Eastern Conference still belongs to the Magic and will be the team to beat in the East.
About the Author:
If you're excited for the start of next basketball season, get your fill of basketball at RootZoo's NBA forum, home to the best basketball talk, NBA pick em, and much more.
0 comments:
Post a Comment