Overall, this was a great game to attend in person. Announcers stated there was a good crowd - I thought the participation was average. I could go into the bad officiating - but it balances out throughout the year. The same three players (Lue, Howard, McGrady) stepped up big tonight along with Gooden and Williams. I'm glad to see a little more balance through the box score. I really thought we had the game in the bag - but our defense kind of broke down towards the end of the game.
I hardly ever question Doc's coaching - but tonight I have to. With about 6 minutes left in the game, DeClerq fouls out. Doc sends Howard back in with 6 minutes to go and 5 fouls. I would have like to have seen Zaza out on the floor for 2-3 minutes. We were getting knocked around and I think that would have made the difference in the game. Zaza could have provided us with a brief three minutes of banging and use up a couple fouls.
Next up is Detroit at home on Saturday at 7pm.
During "Paul's Perspective" he discusses the #10...Darrel Armstrong. I agree that Darrel was the heart and hussel of the Magic over the last several years and I think his #10 should be in the rafters.
One day, his jersey should definitely be retired. But I think the team made the best decision by letting him go and bringing in two new point guards. We still do not have great point guards but they are a huge improvement of what we have had in the past (minus Scott Skiles).