Orlando Magic, Again the NBA’s Underdog
While the Celtics and Cavs are both adamant about the fact that they’ll find themselves in the NBA finals next season, the Magic are still the team to beat. Having beaten both of those teams in the playoffs, the Orlando Magic are overlooked by the Celtics and Cavs, as they’re worrying more about each other than they are about Orlando.
With the Cavs, everyone feels that Shaq’s presence will have huge implications on LeBron’s game. While this will be great for the team, nothing’s a sure thing until he sets foot on the court and wins them games. As far as Boston is concerned, Rasheed Wallace is the savior, as his veteran leadership and ability to fill Garnett’s void should he go down with injury again will both prevent last year’s disasters from recurring. What about the Magic though? Let’s look at what they have.
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. Rashard Lewis will pick up where he left off (after his suspension, of course), but the position is deeper here than it was last year. Tony Battie has always played hard, but Brandon Bass is simply stronger, younger, faster, and more valuable. Adding to some more depth, Ryan Anderson is a legitimate threat from three point land and should be an interesting complement to Lewis’s abilities.
C. All I really need to say here is Dwight Howard and you’ll understand. So, Dwight Howard.
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.
The Magic have lost Hedo Turkoglu and rookie Courtney Lee, both valuable players. However, the improvements they’ve made across the board (especially in the depth department) more than offset any hits they take from the loss of Hedo and Lee. All in all, this is a stronger Magic team, and remains the team to beat in the East.
