Tonight's Game: Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic
by Evan Dunlap on Jan 9, 2009 6:31 PM EST
in 2008/2009 Previews
Email
PrintAtlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic, Jan 9, 2009 7:00 PM EST
| 2008/2009 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
@ |  |
| 22-12 | 28-8 | |
| January 9th, 2009 | ||
| Amway Arena | ||
| 7:00 PM | ||
| FSN Florida HD | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Mike Bibby | PG | Jameer Nelson |
| Joe Johnson | SG | Courtney Lee |
| Marvin Williams | SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Josh Smith | PF | Rashard Lewis |
| Al Horford | C | Dwight Howard |
| Previous Meetings: | ||
| October 29th: Hawks 99, Magic 85 | ||
| January 7th: Magic 106, Hawks 102 | ||
Boy, we really should be in for a heckuva game tonight.
Tonight's tilt between the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks would probably be the NBA's must-watch game of the night, were it not for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics' matchup. If the Magic take care of business tonight against Atlanta, as they did on Wednesday, they'll be in second place in the Eastern Conference sometime tomorrow. Obviously, we still have a little more than half a season to go, but it's great to see the Magic are near the top of the conference in January; they haven't petered off like they did last year.
But onto the game: the Magic have to come out with the same intensity and focus they did against the Hawks on Wednesday. They also need to
- Feed the ball to Dwight Howard, for whom Atlanta has no answer (with apologies to Al Horford, a hard-working defender);
- force Joe Johnson to give the ball up;
- and crash the boards.
Getting a lift from the bench (I'm looking at you, J.J. Redick) would help, too, especially because Atlanta's reserves are sure to be more productive, but I wouldn't necessarily say it's a must.
For their part, the Hawks appear to be really geared up for this game. Sekou Smith attended yesterday's practice, and filed this report afterward. Listen to what he writes about Atlanta coach Mike Woodson:
[Thursday's practice] wasn't a session the family could have attended, as there were far too many interesting words uttered by Woodson for anyone with sensitive ears to be allowed in.
I dug his approach and understood his main point; basically the Hawks made mistakes, most all of them correctable, he said. But if they weren't committed to doing things the way they have along the road to this 22-12 record, he'd be happy to make sure and play guys that were committed to doing it that way.
He didn't mince his words. Not once. And not for anybody, including his starters and captain and All-Star. It was rather refreshing to see, as I'm not always privy to the goings on at every practice for various reasons.
But I got the feeling that Woodson didn't care who saw what I saw Thursday. He was as intense as I've seen him and made sure his team understood that the message the Magic wanted to send, similar to the one the Hawks sent with their season-opening win in Orlando, was delivered first class.
Stan Van Gundy believes his team might have lucked into its most recent victory, and said the following after Wednesday's game:
"Tonight [the Hawks] missed," Van Gundy said. "I don't anticipate they they'll do that two nights in a row. When they play us Friday, it could be a tough night. I think we were very fortunate tonight."
I'm not so sure about that. Stan doesn't give himself or the players enough credit here: they played fantastic defense against the Hawks, who got very few open looks. Where they were successful was in transition (with the notable exception of Mike Bibby's inexplicable and inexcusable blown layup), and on some level the Magic need to be worried about that. If their own shots aren't falling, and if the Hawks are strong on the defensive glass, they'll be able to get out and run against a defense that has yet to set itself. Then again, if the Magic consistently get the ball to Howard, there won't be too many caroms for the Hawks to grab.
I'll end this preview with these quotes from Terence Moore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who had the following to say yesterday morning:
Still, the Hawks are at least the Magic's equal, and that means both are in the vicinity of NBA prominence.
[....]
The Magic are loaded with an impressive frontcourt of Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis to complement Howard. In the backcourt, they have rising point guard [Jameer] Nelson, and promising rookie Courtney Lee. The Hawks' starting five is slightly better than that.
Moore concedes the Hawks have work to do before the postseason starts--free throw shooting is at the top of the list--but still believes, in spite of it all, the Hawks are at least on-par with the Magic. Discuss amongst yourselves; I believe I've made my position clear.
Tip's at 7 on FSN Florida. You can see it all in high definition. Go Magic.
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The Hawks are not on par with the Magic
Not even close. Tonight Orlando will take care of business and established their Southeast Division dominance. I’m pretty hyped about this game tonight, Hopefully there will be a qaulity live web stream.
Hawks has developed into a very nice team, but . . .
No way are they on the Magic’s level this season. They are on par with last year’s Magic maybe and next year they will probably be even better (depends on what happens with Bibby or who his replacement will be).
With the exception of shooting guard (sorry Pietrus, Lee & Bogans), there isn’t any Hawk starter I would take over the Magic’s.
Wait a minute. They aren't on par with the magic, but he said their starting 5 is "slightly better"
than the Magic’s? What a bafoon, homer journalism at it’s finest.
Slightly better? Really?
I can understand how one can feel that the Hawks are on par with the Magic given their head to head meetings. I personally believe that the Hawks are more on par with last year’s Magic team, before we started playing championship level defense. Our only real worry is clutch scoring, because our franchise player can’t hit free throws.
What I can’t understand is why he feels the Hawks starting five is slightly better. Our team doesn’t really get much from the bench, and it’s really the starting five, with four players averaging better than 16 points, and a fifth (he mentions Lee) that has contributed to us being ranked 3rd in defensive efficiency this season. The Hawks, meanwhile are middle of the pack defensively, and about on par with us offensively. The only advantage their starting lineup has over ours would be that they have a clutch scorer. But the Magic’s approach by committee has been good enough for a five game lead over the Hawks, so I think that answers that.
I think it’s interesting though, the Magic are trying hard to be considered among the real elite of the league along with Boston, LA, Cleveland. Meanwhile they have teams from behind them trying to prove they are as good as the Magic. Rather than looking at this as a slight, it should really be a compliment. We’ve come pretty far if other teams want to prove they are “as good as us” or “slightly better”.
It's better that the Magic don't have a "go-to" scorer at the end of games.
It may sound odd, given that you’d like to know exactly who you’re going to go to in crunch time, but for Orlando it’s an advantage because defenses can’t clue in on one particular player. It could be Turk, Lewis, Jameer .. hell, even Dwight. That’s why the Magic are so dangerous because they can beat you with different people.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Umm, I don't think so
Efficiency Differential based on starting 5 (BasketballVallue)
Atlanta +1.38
Orl with Bogans +21.70
with Lee +23.91
with MP +12.81
(with JJ +12.35)
So a couple things pop out; Atlanta’s starting 5 is no where close to the Magic’s starting 5, regardless who we start at the 2. (Start losing other positions and it’s a little more dicey).
Secondly, Lee is in the lead for best starting sg!
Finally, Zaza is the unsung hero for these Hawks, they miss him, and especially against us. Or so says Plus Minus, but truthfully that stat rarely makes any sense to me. Regardless, to say that their 5 surpasses our 5 is plain crazy talk of the highest order.
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
Adjusted +/- is better than just straight up +/-
It’s a useful stat, but make sure you look at adjusted.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
I agree
I went and looked at Popcorn Machine to see how the starting units played each other and in the Orlando victory our starters outscored theirs by 7, in the loss at the beginning of the season they outscored ours by 9. So even though our starting unit has been more fluid in the two match up’s with MP starting in one and Lee the other, Atlanta has a slight edge. I guess that is some ammo for Hawk homers. Some….
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
by Eyriq the Red on Jan 9, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
Hopefully we smoke them so this lunatic homer out of Atlanta can write a nice piece tomorrow morning
about who is slightly better
Atlanta Hawks – Orlando Magic
LIVE
http://www.iddaliyim.tr.gg/Canli-Mac-izle-_-salon-1.htm
www.iddaliyim.tr.gg
Right.
Courtney can stick with him, though. As long as his shots are contested, I mean, that’s all we can ask for.
I’d rather see him turned into the playmaker role. Let ANYONE ELSE shoot.
The Hawks will want to get off to a much better start tonight...
… than Wednesday night.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:14 PM EST reply actions
Lewis posts up Joe Johnson, gets the easy layup and and-1 opportunity
Nice to see the Magic going to Lew in isolation.
Dwight stuffs J-Smooth at the rim, Magic get out in transition, Turk spots up in the right corner for 3, money. Hawks call timeout.
That. Was. AWESOME.
Important game. Hopefully the Magic have the same sense of urgency as they did a few days ago.
So far, so good.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
The defense hasn't been as good, but overall the Magic still look excellent
Dwight came up with the big block there, but Smith shouldn’t have been able to get to the rim so easily in the first place.
Right.
Still .. it’s J-Smooth, he’s a beast.
I thoroughly enjoyed his monster jam a few days ago against Orlando. Have to admire his insane athletic ability.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Did you see the picture?
So hilarious. The picture captured Smith’s dunk and also Courtney just floating beside him, with his eyes wide open looking away from the camera.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
That looked like Chris Paul to Tyson Chandler
Nelson just noodled around in the lane, Horford came out to challenge Nelson, who lofted the ball at the rim for Dwight to dunk
Arroyo used to do that a lot last season.
Surprised Jameer doesn’t do it more himself.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Why not?
He’s definitely a viable back-up PG for every team in the NBA. He plays out of control at times, but he’s certainly capable of playing effective minutes off the bench for a team.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Magic came to play.
They better finish the game strong. Can’t go full throttle for one half.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
I do expect the Hawks to make a run sometime, though
I don’t expect Joe Johnson to score under 15 points again.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:23 PM EST reply actions
That's a play we haven't seen very often this year
Nelson dribbling baseline, handing off the Turk who cuts into the lane from the left wing, draws the defense, then shovels the ball to Dwight. Hawks read it fairly well, hacked Dwight in time to prevent him from finishing.
I wish both the Cavs & Celtics could lose tonight.
Alas, there must be a winner though.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Look at it this way...
… if the Magic can win tonight, they will be guaranteed to gain a game on either the Celts or Cavs.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions
Cavs are 18-0 at home, and the Celts are struggling...
I think the Cavs will win.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:29 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I wouldn't want to be a recipient of a Howard elbow.
I’d probably die.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Did Paul Kennedy just accuse Dwight of being a dirty player?
“Dwight has gotten good at flaying his arm around after contact.”
Let the investigation begin.
Donaghy sends his regards.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
It's true though
I mean, he’s not dirty, but he throws the ’bows now since he gets hit intentionally all the time, and hit hard. Why not dish it out when others are dishing it out too?
I don't see the problem.
May as well dish the pain if he receives it all the time.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
You want to play inside against Dwight, he’s going to make you earn your stops.
by eltharion_doa on Jan 9, 2009 10:04 PM EST up reply actions
So dope.
I’m loving Lee .. he’s going to be a player for years to come.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
No kidding.
Jerryl Sasser still haunts my dreams.
Want to know why he got picked anyway by the Magic? You’d laugh.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Exactly the reason.
Doc was quoted afterwards that he wanted a guy to cover A.I.
Probably the stupidest reasoning/rationale I’ve ever read/heard in my life regarding a draft choice.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
We freakin' passed on Arenas, Tinsley & Parker, at a time when the Magic needed a PG.
Terrible draft.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
He should have stayed at DePaul longer.
He may a mistake declaring so early ..
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Telling you .. when Nelson goes, so go the Magic.
He got off to a hot start, and what do you know .. the Magic do too.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
WHOA! Lee with the alley-oop in transition
Nelson threw that lob a bit behind him, but he finished anyway
Ugh .. No Neck is in.
Remember this .. 18 point lead when Nelson left. Curious to see if the lead gets smaller, stays the same, or gets bigger when Nelson comes back in.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
I like Johnson & J-Smooth a lot.
.. but I mean, let’s be frank here.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Redick has 8 points in the first quarter
Might that be a career high for J.J. for points in a quarter?
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:36 PM EST reply actions
Is Zaza Pachulia active tonight for the Hawks?
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:38 PM EST reply actions
J.J.!!!
He feels like he’s back in Cameron Indoor Stadium again.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
He's just 2 points away from his season high
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:41 PM EST up reply actions
That be hilarious if he dropped 30 tonight.
He’s well on his way.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
I love Gortat bearhugs the ball when he rebounds
I probably wouldn’t have ever noticed if that picture of him wasn’t posted on this site earlier
We just need 2 more great quarters like this . . .
and then the Magic can collapse in the 4th to win by 5.
Hah, yeah.
Just to make sure we can cover the impending 60-5 Hawks run that will come eventually.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
The Magic are shooting lights out.
It won’t last though.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Magic 12 of 17 shooting
… including 6 for 6 on threes!
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:43 PM EST reply actions
Johnson has 3 field goals and 3 assists.
Hawks have 7 field goals total.
Someone else has to step up. Like, a lot.
Goukas: "Smart play by J.J. Redick."
At the beginning of the year, I would have predicted I would never hear that.
A.J. drives the lane, lays it in, gets the foul. And-1 opportunity.
Wow.
That’s when you know you’re having a bad night. Anthony Johnson is taking you off the dribble.
J.J. draws another foul, this one offensive.
Josh Smith called for a moving pick.
And Smoove gets t’d up.
21 points for our bench
… and it’s only the second quarter!
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:51 PM EST reply actions
Joe Johnson
Maybe he’s not back to normal, but he is ATL’s leading scorer right now…so I’m half right
Good thing Coach Woodson yelled at the Hawks during their practice yesterday
You can feel that intensity from the Hawks tonight.
J.J. could have drawn the foul there, got the guy in the air, but avoided him while shooting. Came up well short.
Lee comes in for J.J.
Magic still shooting over 60%... 18 of 29
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:01 PM EST reply actions
Bibby's really pissed, now gunning for his own shot
Thought he got fouled on that last three-pointer he took.
Dwight just 2 of 7 from the FT line
… that’s about the only negative stat for any Magic player tonight.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:07 PM EST reply actions
I'm watching the Cavs/Celtics on ESPN
…as I’m following the Magic on Yahoo. Cavs are wearing their retro unis again tonight. Cavs with the early lead 6-2.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:09 PM EST reply actions
Seriously, I don't think the franchise ever wore that kind of uniform
It was just made to make money
Really... they never wore those unis in the early 70s or around that era?
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:14 PM EST up reply actions
Thata a pretty smart marketing plan
… I bet they’re selling a lot of those.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:17 PM EST up reply actions
Wouldn't be surprised.
They have LeBron, might as well milk him for all he’s worth.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
The Magic are in a major zone right now.
I’ve never seen this team so locked in before. They’re playing ridiculous basketball right now.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Quiet game for Lewis
… just 5 points so far. With practically everyone else on, we don’t need him tonight.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply actions
A 70 point half for the Magic!
71-33 at the half Magic!
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:18 PM EST reply actions
Just came back from a meeting and...
..saw the score. Holy crap. Anyone else think someone showed the players that article where the guy said their starting five was ‘slightly better’? Because they are playing like they got disrespected and have to give it back!
It's possible SVG used the quotes as "bulletin board material".
Never know. But given how well the Magic have played tonight, it’s not a ridiculous theory.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
PS.
I think it says a lot about the Hawks having a ways to go before they call themselves a top team, the way they just lost their composure after getting buried early. Good teams never lose their composure.
Talk about a dominant first half....
… not only are the Magic outshooting the Hawks 60 pct to 25 pct., they are outrebounding the Hawks 28-15 and have an outstanding 16/4 AST/TO ratio.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:34 PM EST reply actions
Magic lead up to 44
… after the three by Lewis 82-38.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:39 PM EST reply actions
Cavaliers continue to lead the Celtics
… 34-27 with about 8 and a half minutes remaining in the second
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:41 PM EST reply actions
Redick back in
… maybe he can get 20 tonight! He needs just 8 more pts.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:43 PM EST reply actions
The Magic are gonna have an awesome eFG% tonight
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:46 PM EST reply actions
I'm going to love to hear what the media says after this game.
Vveerryy curious to see what they say.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
He's a perfectionist, I'm not surprised.
I don’t think any lead would make him content.
I’m glad he’s that way. That’s what makes him such an elite coach in the NBA.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
I think it's safe to switch to Friday Night Fights in a little bit.
Yuriorkis Gamboa on ESPN2 tonight! I advise all to check it out.
12-0 I believe
He’s not a fan of defense, but he’s electrifying when he connects.
by magic fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
I saw a few of his fights on HBO .. usually since he's the undercard.
He has the potential to be special. His hand speed is superb and he has a mean right hook.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
I loved Garrity
One of my all time favorite players. Not the most skilled, but an incredibly hard worker.
by magic fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 8:51 PM EST up reply actions
JJ's having quite the night
15 points in 16 minutes so far? Maybe he can be the productive bench scorer we need.
He keeps playing like this .. Bogans may become the bench warmer.
Especially when Pietrus comes back.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
We need to FanShot it whenever we get a chance.
That was…. wow.
That’s a 6’10" player throwing that pass, by the way. In transition.
It's definitely up there. I'm curious to see where it rates on the NBA Top 10 tomorrow.
As well as Sportscenter’s Top 10 ..
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Magic on the verge of getting a 50 point lead!
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:55 PM EST reply actions
Anybody know off the top of their head what the Magic record is for their largest margin of victory?
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:56 PM EST reply actions
ESPN just showed a few highlights from the Magic game...
Stu Scott just said that he’s convinced the local YMCA Team is wearing the uniforms of the Hawks.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:59 PM EST reply actions
Marie... I saw the Mavs had another close game last night and pulled it out over the Knicks
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:02 PM EST reply actions
Ugh
That was horrible to watch! Both teams just heaving jumpshots like there’s no tomorrow. Dirk only had 10 and I was incredibly critical until I found out he was out there with a 101-degree fever. They play the Suns tonight.
Like their chances against the Suns tonight Marie?
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
Um...
I’ll say no because I’m realistic. I have no idea what Dirk’s condition is right now, Josh hasn’t been showing up, Shaq is playing, and Nash is back to normal. The J-Rich trade really helped them and that just might make the difference tonight (he wasn’t yet with the team when Dallas beat them soundly in December).
yep
oh well, not like it’s a dramatic game
by magic fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 9:05 PM EST up reply actions
ESPNEWS - "This is an absolute massacre."
In describing the current score.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Yeah, I think he had to retire because of a knee issue or something
But he was in the league as recently as last year if I’m not mistaken.
On ESPN...
Jamal Mashburn just called the Magic a “sleeping giant”, but is worried about their bench… Avery Johnson said that Jameer Nelson is indeed a legitimate PG and they are much-improved defensively.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:10 PM EST reply actions
Our bench is fine. Our defense is fine. Jameer Nelson is fine.
Can we be surprised that ESPN continues to doubt Orlando?
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Gosh .. Michael Wilbon is still questioning Jameer Nelson.
Give it a break.
Thankfully Avery Johnson backed up ’Meer.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
You know what I wonder?
When regular NBA analysts on ESPN will use advanced statistics to prove their point. Obviously Hollinger does it but he’s not on TV regularly enough .. plus even he just uses PER, which is a good advanced metric but not enough in determining how good/bad a player/team is.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
The disparity in quality between ESPN's on-air coverage and web coverage is huge
Wilbon, Barry, Walton, etc vs. Stein, Hollinger, Abbott, Arnovitz…Thorpe, Bucher….
It's pretty bad, yeah. That's a major reason why I'm not a fan of ESPN.
Only ESPN’s baseball coverage is legit, well .. not entirely, but it’s pretty good. Jon Miller & Joe Morgan are a joke .. as are Kruk, Phillips, and others .. Ravech is good though.
But Gammons, Olney, Stark, and Kurkjian are superb.
The NFL, NBA, college football, and college basketball coverage is sub-par.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Bias and a lack of journalistic quality is really killing ESPN.
It’s been like this for years now ..
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Still though, the guy knows his stuff inside and out.
I agree he has some bias, but .. he’s a freakin baseball historian. I’ve spoke to him actually when ESPN does that special weekend crap at Disney, and .. man, I grilled him with a few tough questions and his responses were impressive.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Yeah he was active on Wednesday, too. Even though he had a bum wheel and Foyle was 100% healthy.
Reminds me of last season when the Kings had a spot on their active roster open before one game but Theus decided to leave it empty rather than activate Kenny Thomas.
Magic 16 of 24 on threes...
… that’s uncanny!
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:15 PM EST reply actions
We gotta get KBo to score
… he’s the only Magic player not to score tonight.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:19 PM EST reply actions
Loving Gortat this year
He’s really improved, though you could almost see it coming from the playoffs.
by Swami Digital on Jan 9, 2009 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
Ditto.
He’s quickly becoming one of my favorite Magic players .. I say this so much here, but I love his basketball IQ. It’s outstanding.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Nice to see the reserves keep the 40+ point lead
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:21 PM EST reply actions
+1
Commentators kept bringing up about how Horford partied all night. The rest of the team played as if they partied along with him.
JVG and Jackson talking about the Magic
JVG won’t give his brother a break, saying the Celtics and the Crabaliers are way better
Probably not as much a doubter as he is afraid of talking us up
I mean, he roots so hard he can’t watch games, probably doesn’t want to jinx his brother or some other such paranoia.
by Swami Digital on Jan 9, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
It is what it is.
Can’t be surprised .. it’s ESPN after all.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
They were pretty bias towards Boston last year during the NBA Finals.
I watched the entire series with a good friend of mine from Orange County, California .. and we were pretty disgusted with the incredible bias towards the Celtics.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Jeff Van Gundy just said...
he doesn’t think the Magic can beat the Celtics or the Cavs in a 7 game series.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:24 PM EST reply actions
I'm not afraid of any team, even Detroit.
If we could face Detroit, Boston, and then Cleveland .. bring it. It’d be the ultimate way to shut all the critics up.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
I agree to an extent. Thats a pretty brutal playoff schedule. I am much more confident against Cle and Bos though then I am Detroit.
It's brutal, but regardless .. the Magic are going to have most likely both Boston & Cleveland.
Orlando will probably see Miami in the first round, which won’t be a cakewalk as long as D. Wade is around.
Still though .. I’m confident that the team can perform.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Nice to see the Magic starters get a nice break tonight.
It may not seem like much, but it’ll be a huge help as the season continues to grind on. The team definitely benefits from games like these, because the starters can get some extra rest.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Good points all around.
Exactly the reasons why I’m glad we had a game like this.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Well, the reserves lost the 4th quarter.
But that shouldn’t take away from a fantastic performance by the Magic tonight. They smelled blood early and took advantage.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Hey, why don't we ... spout out mindless drivel and broadcast on the air for all to hear!
Yeah!
ESPN.
Where idiotic statements happens (on an hourly basis).
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
It's ESPN.
Jeff Van Gundy.
Lou Holtz.
Skip Bayless.
I rest my case.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Neither.
But I rather see the Cavs win to continue Boston’s slide.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Wow, Rondo
Wide open and opts for the reverse? I mean, when was the last time Ben Wallace blocked a shot?
It's obvious the Magic need to prove themselves in the Playoffs.
I think we can all agree on that point.
But still .. for the team to not receive more deserving recognition is disappointing. I’m not asking for a red carpet treatment but certainly some praise is warranted.
Oh well.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
it's gotten better from the web guys, like Hollinger and others .. but from the television guys, it's still terrible.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
The web guys...
Are more objective, and generally have more perspective.
by Swami Digital on Jan 9, 2009 9:42 PM EST up reply actions
Van Gundy: "In fairness, Atlanta talked up both these games, in their paper there."
But he adds he never gave the Magic any of the articles.
i just came home from my indoor soccer game
we lost 18-4. it was emberrassing.
Then I saw the score, and i feel good about myself again
Magic held Joe Johnson to 13 points and 11 points these last two games
… pretty impressive to say the least.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:41 PM EST reply actions
Magic D is for real
I’ve been waiting for us to have a great D for years, now I am finally starting to believe.
by Swami Digital on Jan 9, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
How demoralizing this must be for Atlanta!
To get thoroughly trounced like this.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:44 PM EST reply actions
It would have been worse if it was on national TV
New Orleans bounced back after we beat them, though
It'll be interesting to see how the Hawks bounce back
… they’re still a very good athletic team who ran into a better team these last two games.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:49 PM EST up reply actions
They play all East teams after tonight
With the exception of Phoenix (they play them twice) and Golden State
Is that for the remainder of this month?
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, that's correct
Oops, forgot the Clippers…so they play PHX twice, the Clips, and the Warriors. The Eastern teams are Miami, Milwaukee (twice), Philly, Toronto, Chicago, NY, and New Jersey.
The Magic are 29-8 now...
If the Cavaliers beat Boston, the Cavs will be 29-6 and the Celtics will be 29-9. The Magic will be 1/2 game ahead of the Celtics in second in the East, and only 1 game behind the Cavs!
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:48 PM EST reply actions
Only one of their starters was in double figures...
Johnson with 11.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:51 PM EST up reply actions
this game was INSANE
I can’t believe how this game ended up being played out. Insane. Madness. Beautiful. I can’t believe I didn’t want to go earlier today. I’m so glad my dad talked me into it :D
There were a ton of people there, too, from just about every country on the planet. The Irish were sitting in front of me, the English to my left, some Germans behind me, a whole slew of Japanese in section 223.
Amazing. I’m still in awe. God, if only we could play like that ever night…
crowd was really into it for nearly the entire game
which is always great, though we did end up doing the wave a few times near the end :)
by TheGiantSquid on Jan 9, 2009 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
It must have been a great game to watch in person
Good thing you did go!
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
I'm glad I went too!
very long game, it felt like, but fun! :D
by TheGiantSquid on Jan 9, 2009 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
Take that! And that! And one of these!
We’ve got a crazy tough rest of the month though, so I wouldn’t get too ahead of ourselves yet.
It's looking good for the Cavs
They continue to lead Boston 74-62 with 10:14 remaining.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:56 PM EST reply actions
Yeah, they'll win.
And the Starbury to Boston rumors will continue on.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Still think he'll wind up with Boston?
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 9:59 PM EST up reply actions
It's just a matter of time.
Boston’s bench needs help, desperately.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Wow, a 45 point win would have really padded the statistical rankings
Stan, chew out that 2/3 team good!
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
This Inside the Magic episode is pretty good
A roundtable of guys are talking about Magic “characters”. They pick names out of a hat. Now they are talking about the Skiles/Shaq fight.
I guess Skiles liked to get on Shaq pretty good during practices
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
You all have a great weekend...
I’m going to watch the rest of the Cavs game and probably some of the Suns/Mavericks game afterward.
Great win for the Magic!
Good night from the cold, snowy Chicago Suburbs where we’re supposed to get 4 inches of snow after midnight
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 10:09 PM EST reply actions
It's quite clear that one of the teams starters were
slightly better than the other’s. TOOL.
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 10, 2009 9:45 AM EST reply actions
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