April 2007 Archives

Aside from the obvious reducing turnovers and improving on the free throw line, the Magic need to make a few minor tweaks in order to beat the Detroit Pistons. Here are a couple things that I think the Magic could adjust to help their chances of beating the Pistons.

• First, get Hedo the ball. Hedo appeared to score without any problem when he had the ball. The Magic need to get him involved early in the offensive play and run him off screens when he's not.
• Where's JJ? Without a serious 3 point threat, it's pretty easy to defend Howard. I'd like to see Hedo and JJ on the floor at times to help spread the floor and make the other team pay for doubling up on Howard.
• Stop the unnatural substitution patterns. Having Howard play until 8 minutes to go in the second quarter is not the brightest idea. Get him out towards the end of the first so he gets the extra time between quarters and then bring in back in with 9 to go in the second part of each half.
• Point guard play. I think we have to start Dooling at PG in order to have a chance. He's not a long-term solution for the Magic, but he's all we got to play the position for now. This opens up room for Trevor and JJ to come in at natural positions ( for Hedo/Grant). Nelson/Arroyo can split time behind Dooling depending on who's playing the hardest.
• Ariza. Real simple here. Ariza has to show up and has to play 20+ minutes in order for this team to have any real chance. He's not the answer, but a big part of the answer. His length and quickness will create problems for the Pistons.
• Tony Battie. The guy only averages 24 minutes a game this year for us. But his leadership will help - especially in late game situations. Let's try 30 minutes and see where things go.

No one thing is going to make the Magic contenders overnight. But the Pistons can get lazy and the Magic can get lucky. The team needs to turn up the intensity and make some minor tweaks in order to have a chance. I just hope the coaching staff is capable of understanding the issues and adjusting the roles accordingly. Let's GO Magic!!!

Finally, everyone is back to 0-0. This is the postseason and the Magic are in it for the first time since a guy named McGrady was on our team. I have to admit, it's been a little hard for me to get excited about the Magic playing Detroit in the first round. In fact, I really have not been excited about watching the Magic since January. Until now. I was just flipping through the channels while eating lunch and caught the beginning of the Raptors-Nets first game. Then it hit me. We're in the playoffs baby!

The Magic beat up on the Heat to do their part in reaching the 7th seed. However, the Indiana game went down to the final minute and the Wizards pulled out a late win. So, the Magic are stuck in 8th - forced to play the Pistons. No biggie. I actually prefer the Magic play the Pistons for two reasons. One is Lebron James. I just don't the Magic are ready to handle Lebron over a 7 game series. Two, why not play the best? Everyone has discounted the Magic as a legitimate contender in the playoffs. And the Pistons are heavy favorites to go back to the Finals. So either we upset the #1 seed and move on to the second round (which even I don't really think could happen). Or, we get experience against a really good team that will probably end up in the finals. Either way, I hope the players learn from playing in the playoffs. With the experience and a couple tweaks in the offseason, we might have something for next year.

The Magic blew a 20 point lead late in the fourth, but managed to hang on to beat the Boston Celtics. With the Indiana loss and a Magic win, the Magic are now guaranteed a playoff spot. Hopefully, the team will get their act together and make something of it.

The Indiana Pacers did their part tonight, helping out the Orlando Magic reach the playoffs by losing to the New Jersey Nets. All the Magic have to do today is beat the Boston Celtics at the Amway Arena. Let's go Magic!

Twice late in the game last night, Nelson missed a wide open Dwight Howard standing underneath the basket. When asked of the situation, Nelson replied "I didn't see him." How the hell can you not see 6'11", 270 pounds of funky stuff? Nelson, and the Magic, gave this game away tonight.

Magic lose to the Toronto Raptors tonight. That's three games in the last week the Magic have blown. And that's enough for me. I'm done. Until management does something to improve this team, I'm done. No more season tickets. No more merchandise. No more games on TV. I would rather sit through reruns of American Idol, Season Two than watch another pathetic effort on the part of the Magic. For all of you FireBrianHill.org goobers out there, this game was solely on the shoulders of the players. Blame the coach all you want, but the coach can't control the turnovers, missed free throws and lack of effort on the floor. I figure I will start putting effort back into the team when the team starts putting forth some effort into playing. I'll be back when this team decides to show up for more than one game at a time.