The Orlando Magic end their 8-game losing streak with a win against the Seattle Supersonics, 102-89. The Magic did just about everything right in this game.
Hill ends up with 19 points and brought a lot of energy to the team tonight. His defense spread like wildfire through the rest of the team. Milicic plays 22 minutes, tallying 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Carlos Arroyo plays his best game of the year, for Detroit or Orlando, ending up with 18 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds in 27 minutes.
While it's really hard to pinpoint the one thing that the Magic did right tonight, I see three things. One, Carlos Arroyo - when this cat is on the floor - the Magic are a different team. Two, turnovers - the Magic had only 7 turnovers. It sure is easier to win games when you have the ball in your hands. Three - Grant Hill. I don't care what anyone says about Hill - the guy can still play basketball and he is a tremendous role model. Not just a role model for kids - but for NBA players. He me makes his teammates better - all of the time.
I would have liked to see Trevor Ariza play a few minutes - just to get him on the floor. However, I won't complain tonight. I liked the rotation that Brian Hill used tonight. I felt the new guys played the minutes they should play ever game.
Great game. Let's go Magic!!!
5 Comments on "Magic win. Magic win!!!"
You can tell that Milicic has the skills to be a 12ppg 8 rpg player night in and night out. Once he gets more comfortable these numbers could even go up. I think if the Magic can rebuild this kids confidence and have him play with that "pissed off" attitude every night this "experiment" could turn into a steal by the Magic. I am pulling for Darko just because Detroit beat him into the ground and gave up on him. Lots of upside with that kid.
If the Darko experiment goes well and the Magic can get
Vazquez to the States, the Magic are going to have an incredible frontline moving forward.
Arroyo was a steal as well, I was hoping that Detroit "throw in" Delfino as well but hey we'll take these two. There finally is a small light at the end of the tunnel......
About last night game I think the key to win was Carlos Arroyo. He has that spark the team needs on the court,,He can create different plays and he's passes are just simply MAgics!!! Carlos Arroyo,,,"the new Star"
Arroyo definitely made the difference last night. I felt the was about to lose the energy they had in the third - he did a great job coming in to stretch the lead.
As for Darko - I think we saw just scratch in the surface of what this kid can give us everynight. That wide open 20-foot jumpshot was pretty.
Arroyo is a great player no doubt, but I think the real reason why he is such a fan favorite is because he is Puerto Rican, he could be a terrible player but as long as he is a Boricua he is a superstar right? Would you feel the same if he was Cuban, or Dominican? I doubt it...
There is no doubt that Arroyo will be the fan favorite because of his ethnic background. However, his race does not make him a good player. He has to earn the respect of the coaches and the fans - and he has done that so far. Remember, this guy led Puerto Rico to a win over Team USA in the 2004 Olympics. (Note: This was Team USA's first defeat in the Olympics while using NBA players.)