Orlando Magic News for April 16th: Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis Might be Ready for the Playoffs; Tomorrow is Blue & White Ignite Day; and More

by Evan Dunlap on Apr 16, 2009 8:41 PM EDT in News

Not much time for commentary on today's Orlando Magic news, as I'm busy putting stuff together for the Magic's forthcoming playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers. You can see some of that today on Yahoo! Sports' Ball Don't Lie, where Sixers blog Liberty Ballers and I offered our takes on the series.

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu should be healthy in time for the playoffs, but made no guarantees. From the Associated Press:

"I think he will be ready, and I hope he will be, but I just don't know at this point," Van Gundy said. "I think they'll be out there, I do. But until it's game time and they're out there, I don't know for sure."
Tomorrow will be Blue & White Ignite Day in Orlando. That's not figurative; Mayor Buddy Dyer is making it official. Details on that, and more playoff festivities, here.
In his blog, Dwight Howard responds to Sports Illustrated's feature article (more about that here) about him and his easygoing nature:

I'm going to smile and have fun, but at the same time I'm still going to dunk on you.

All the other goodies after the jump.

Neil Paine takes an in-depth look at the Magic at Basketball-Reference. You can bet that link will be part of 3QC's larger playoff preview.
Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett will likely miss the entire postseason. My colleague erivera7 has a rundown of all the relevant links here.
The fellas at NBA FanHouse voted Howard the league's Defensive Player of the Year, and Stan Van Gundy the Coach of the Year.
L.A. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson told SI's Dan Patrick that, were he starting an NBA team from scratch, he'd select Howard over LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul...
...to which Dime Magazine responds, "Say what?!"
Congratulations are in order to the folks at The Puns Are Starting to Bore Me, who recently migrated to the Bloguin network.

UPDATE: ER here, with a late night link for your reading pleasure.

Brian Schmitz comments on what needs to happen for the Sixers to upset the Magic in the first round of the Playoffs. This bit made me chuckle:

[...] the Sixers have a puncher's chance (sorry, another bad Rocky pun) if ...

1. Superman is kidnapped by the Joker or the Penguin.

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Comments

Turk & 'Shard MIGHT be ready?

I’d be SHOCKED if EITHER didn’t play. I think ‘MIGHT’ is a little misleading.

Sports Picks 365
"Shoot first, ask questions last" Rafer Alston

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Apr 16, 2009 11:18 PM EDT reply actions

They're playing. That's more pandering on the part of the Magic ..

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on Apr 17, 2009 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions

They might have a setback

It happens.

Otherwise, I’m expecting us to be at pretty much full strength.

by eltharion_doa on Apr 17, 2009 6:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Orlando will be at full-strength. Sometimes you have to read between the lines.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on Apr 17, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with you erivera . . .

This sounds suspiciously like one one those “We’re not really at full strength . . . PSYCH!” kind of deals.

I suppose Rashard could still have sore knees but I gotta believe Hedo will be just fine. I mean he just rolled his ankle and will have had a week of rest by Sunday.

It is irritating though that every Playoffs Preview I’ve seen has used this as an excuse to dismiss the Magic’s chances of beating the Celtics. - I’m looking @ you NBA TV!

by blue-blood on Apr 17, 2009 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep, no doubt in my mind Turk will play

he’s been waiting for this moment on the Magic for a very long time. Secondly, how will opting out seeking that big contract look if he’s unable to go during the most important stretch of the season? He’s playing and he’s making big shots! MR FOURTH QUARTER!!!

Sports Picks 365
"Shoot first, ask questions last" Rafer Alston

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Apr 17, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on Apr 17, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Rashard will probably still be bothered by the tendonitis, but that's about it.

I’ve had tendonitis before in my knee and any sort of rest helps, so Lewis should be okay.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on Apr 17, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I was more concerned about Turk than Lewis...

I was under the impression that Lewis had his injury for a while and was just playing through it. SVG gave him a few days off once the 2 seed was out of reach. So I was never really worried about him…if Turk is 100% for the playoffs, watch out.

by Lee for three on Apr 17, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh .. well, Turk should be fine too.

X-rays were negative and there was no swelling whatsoever, so I don’t think Hedo will have any lingering effects with the ankle injury .. given the fact he’s had time to rest, etc.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

I comment WAY too much.

Die for my family and live for the moment/And that's the main difference between me and my opponent - Phonte of Little Brother

by erivera7 on Apr 17, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions