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Poll: Predict The Impact Player In Game 4

For the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics, there's no doubt that tonight's game is a crucial one for both squads. For the Magic, a win would give the team a 3-1 series lead and a chance to close things out in Boston for Game 5 on Tuesday. For the Celtics, a win would tie the series up at 2-2 and the team would reclaim home court. 

 

With the return of Rafer Alston from suspension, Orlando will be back at full strength (sans Jameer Nelson) for the first time since Game 5 versus the Philadelphia 76ers in the last round. Seems so long ago, doesn't it?

 

So, with all that being said, the question I pose for the community is this ... which player on the Magic do you think will have the biggest impact on the game tonight against the Celtics? Feel free to reveal your choice in the comments section. Thanks. 

Poll
Which player for the Orlando Magic will have the biggest impact on the game tonight versus the Boston Celtics?
Rafer Alston
11 votes
Courtney Lee
37 votes
Hedo Turkoglu
29 votes
Rashard Lewis
48 votes
Dwight Howard
71 votes
Other
14 votes

210 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 39 comments |

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Comments

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JJ Redick

Yea, I’m the first vote.

by hevchv on May 10, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

.. hmm.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

well,to answer the Q:

it’s definetly dwight. he always had the biggest impact,and if some other player sticks out,it’s partially his doing.
anyway,i voted hedo,i wish soooooo much that he keeps that level of game

by Dzogi on May 10, 2009 10:31 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, Hedo is crucial .. he needs to have another big game tonight.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The obvious choice is Dwight, but I went with CLee.

You could see the impact he made just by his defensive effort in Game 3. It seemed to push the rest of the team to step it up a bit. His impact may not be shown by stats, but his impact will be felt nonetheless.

by malars on May 10, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Word, having Courtney around definitely has given the boost from a defensive standpoint.

The fact that Lee can cover Rondo and Allen is huge for the Magic.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

jj redick!

i think he’s going to come out aggreesive, and shoot more fgs. Dwight is definitely going to take care of his part, but if he gets into foul trouble, i see redick and gortat demonstrating some good team work, plus redick’s going to prove he is worthy of his minutes from now on. i think hes going to have a decent scoring night

by Wall851 on May 10, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That's two for Redick.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rashard Lewis

Lewis is the clear choice here. Except for Dwight’s defensive efforts, Lewis is the series MVP so far. He is looking more and more comfortable posting up Scal and Big Baby as the series wear on, and Lewis has the biggest mismatch of any team. I’ll post the series leading scorer so far, and probably be right yet again, or he scores even more this time on his mismatches/posts/3’s instead.

by derekk on May 10, 2009 10:52 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'd agree that Lewis is the clear choice, it's both him and Turkoglu.

When both of them are going for the Magic, the team is extremely difficult to beat. Statistically, Dwight Howard is the same in wins and losses, but that’s not the case with Rashard and Hedo. Both players are a reflection of how good or how bad Orlando can be ..

Welcome to 3QC, btw!

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sweet Lous is key for Magic Success

I’m in total agreement with both derekk and erivera. You mentioned Rashard’s ability to get post position on Scalabrini and Big Baby has been huge for Orlando. Lewis’ work on the defensive end, especially in game 3 is what made me vote for him. Of course Dwight’s going to be a favorite for the key player but Rashard was able to create turnovers on whoever he was guarding which led to an up-and-down style that the Magic love to run. Overall if Rashard can continue to draw fouls on the C’s already shallow bigs it will open up things for D12 in the paint.

by Wally Balls 407 on May 10, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Word, yeah.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

333333333!! Rashard Leeewwwwiss

Thanks for the welcome erivera. I love yours and Bens work. Hands down best Magic coverage I’ve ever seen. Looking forward to read more great stuff from you guys.

by derekk on May 10, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for the kind words. We appreciate it.

Glad you enjoy the site ..

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why doesn't JJ ever dunk?

If seen him in pregame warmups doing windmills and tomahawks, yet during the game he will never take it up strong.

by hevchv on May 10, 2009 10:55 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Good question.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Outsider opinion

But the game hinges on D12 of course. He sets the tone on 2 ends (Particularly defensively), and needs to create a positive vibe offensively (although that’s probably more of a Rashard Lewis job if anything). Dwight Howard is the best player on the team. He has to show a passion for why winning means everything to him.

If it isn’t Dwight, there’s a problem in other words.

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on May 10, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Howard sets the tone defensively.

.. he’s the anchor for the Magic. When Dwight is active like he was in Game 1 & 3, the team is better off.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I picked Rafer, since he hasn’t played in awhile.

by Linix129 on May 10, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Word.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

does this really matter

biggest impact may be important..but we gotta control their players again….esp eddie house….so for that reason courtney lee

by GoMagic on May 10, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

additional info from espn

Blockquoted paragraph
Other than the lecture on proper fouling techniques, Rivers said the Celtics concentrated on cutting down the Magic’s ability to use dribble penetration play to initiate their offense.
“People think we’re going away, and we’re not. We are who we are. We’re a group of fighters,” Rivers said.

by GoMagic on May 10, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No surprise.

Dribble penetration is what kills the Celtics defense .. Magic just need to continue to attack.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

DWIGHT---AHHHHH! He's the master of the Universe!

It’s about time our boy got a monster game for real.

by fwedo on May 10, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

.. just better hope Howard has a monster game and Lewis & Turkoglu are still involved.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pretty even distribution of votes so far ..

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

It's all about Courtney Lee!!!!!

I’m not overconfident in his ability, but 98% of the time he plays hard on defense. When he’s clicking on offense, it’s over. He’s the glue that holds the starting line up together. Yeah he’s not as good as Dwight, Hedo, or Reshard, but when he gets it going on offense the rest of the team tends to clik as well (except for game 1 against Philly).

He’s not only going to be the X factor tonight, he’s the X factor for Orlando for the rest of the playoffs.

GO BLUE!!!!!

Jon Barry is not that bad.

by magic fanatic on May 10, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

not so sure about that.

lee is a great player to have,and i’m not underestimating him,but show me that hedo & rash are in the zone,and i’ll be at ease. lee is excellent,but he ain’t the key.

by Dzogi on May 10, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think Lee is A x-factor, but I don't think he's THE x-factor.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

well said

Never will I ever utter "never" to myself
Fall in love with defeat, throw my endeavors on the shelf
I never back up like Cleo Lemon or myself - WALE

by EX-TREME on May 10, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I voted for Rashard

this series is really a match-up heaven for him. He can drive by either Big Baby or Scal if they play him tight on the perimiter. He can post Scal up and he can knock down the three if they are giving him room. I think Lewis comes through again tonight. It will be closer than game 3 but Orlando gets the win by 6-8 points.

by Lee for three on May 10, 2009 2:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Agreed on all points.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

shard

Never will I ever utter "never" to myself
Fall in love with defeat, throw my endeavors on the shelf
I never back up like Cleo Lemon or myself - WALE

by EX-TREME on May 10, 2009 3:22 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That works.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I voted Hedo

Statistically, I think Hedo will have the most impact. I think Dwight and C-Lee will control the game, you just won’t be able to see it in the stats. I smell blood in the water, and I think if the Magic can take an early lead, the Celtics will play desperate basketball.

by farfromfl on May 10, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

He'll need to step up tonight like he did in Game 3, that's for sure.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The rook

He brings an energy to the floor at guard that none of our other guys seem to generate. Peaches, JJ, Dad, and Skip are all solid role players, but Lee dogs guys better than any of them, and he seems to have better instincts about when to drive, when to shoot, and when to kick the ball to someone else. Since Boston’s all about the wings (their bigs are decent, but not equal to ours), having the ability to slow down the Celtics guards is a big factor in the series.

"And this he knows if nothing more
That waiting in the dark like destiny
Are those who kissed the dogs of war
And there is no tomorrow."

by The Dark on May 10, 2009 6:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, the key for Orlando is neutralizing the backcourt for Boston.

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

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 10, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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