Orlando Magic News for October 27th: Too Early to Dismiss the Magic, Preparing for the Washington Wizards, and More

by Evan Dunlap on Oct 27, 2010 4:30 PM EDT in News

John Hollinger's PER Diem: Five things to watch in 2010-11 NBA season - ESPN
John Hollinger of ESPN Insider doesn't understand why almost everyone is convinced the Orlando Magic aren't championship contenders this season:
In light of the fact that Orlando dominated the preseason after dominating the second half of last season, I find it particularly hard to swallow how dismissive most people seem of the Magic's chances.
He also notes that the Magic are among the teams with "major asset troves," which could allow them to make an impact trade if needed.
The Orlando Magic Return to the Familiar Underdog Role | Magic Basketball
At MagicBasketball.net, Eddy Rivera agrees with Hollinger, calling the easy dismissal of the Magic as title contenders "premature."
Practice report: Orlando Magic preparing for Washington Wizards’ full-court press, traps – Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel
The Magic open their season tomorrow night against the Washington Wizards. In today's practice, Zach McCann says the Magic focused on beating the Wizards' defensive traps, a decision coach Stan Van Gundy explained by saying, "I think they're trying to disrupt things and force turnovers."

RELEASE: Foul! | Thu 28 Oct 2010: 6-8pm
From 6-8 PM Tomorrow, just outside Amway Cnter, a man named Brian Feldman will read the entire NBA rulebook. Why? "If you’re gonna argue with the refs this season, you gotta know the rules," according to this release.
2010-11 NBA Blogosphere Previews: Orlando Magic
Neil Paine's preview of the forthcoming Magic season includes projected per-minute stats for each player, as well as a "blogger outlook" by Rivera.
N.B.A. Teams Should Save by Saving Money - NYTimes.com
Mark Deeks--you may know him from ShamSports--makes his New York Times debut in this piece about the preposterousness of Commissioner David Stern's claims that the league needs to trim payroll in order to stay viable.

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I don't know if this advantageous to the Magic or not, but it looks like Gilbert Arenas won't be playing tomorrow

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/10/27/gilbert-arenas-to-miss-two-games-with-injury/

This might mean a John Wall supernova debut game since Gilbert won’t be there getting his.

Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek

by funny80sguy on Oct 27, 2010 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

I doubt we'll see a rookie go off on a team as experienced and cogent as the Magic.

by fwedo on Oct 27, 2010 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, it depends.

I could see Wall scoring 30+ points on 12-30 shooting or something like that. I don’t think he’ll be able to score efficiently, though. (Unless he can go off on outside shooting. How’s his three-pointer?)

I tend to think of Wall as primarily a fast-break guy, and we all know how those guys do against the Magic.

You mess with the 4-out/1-in, you get the Horns.

by 3.3seconds on Oct 27, 2010 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Wall was 1 for 13 (thirteen) in the preseason from the 3-point line.

"Teams are making adjustments to us, it’s not the other way around," Smith said. "Right after (the Heat) signed LeBron and Bosh, they went out and signed eight centers. So I’m not overly concerned."

I'll tell ya about the Magic It'll free your soul but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll

by NC Magic Fan on Oct 27, 2010 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay, then I hope he shoots the three.

In the long run, he’ll probably find that shot, but he’s either unlucky, or he doesn’t have it yet.

You mess with the 4-out/1-in, you get the Horns.

by 3.3seconds on Oct 27, 2010 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I am sure his shot will soon equal Rondo's.

I'll tell ya about the Magic It'll free your soul but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll

by NC Magic Fan on Oct 27, 2010 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, that's not fair.

I’m sure he’s the next Wade.

Or at least the next Derrick Rose.

You mess with the 4-out/1-in, you get the Horns.

by 3.3seconds on Oct 28, 2010 4:41 AM EDT up reply actions

You are right

It won’t be long before he has a double digit 3-point percentage. Just takes a little practice

I'll tell ya about the Magic It'll free your soul but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll

by NC Magic Fan on Oct 28, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

The Wizards traps could give us trouble

We dont exactly have a nimble team

I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?

by Souwantmyname on Oct 27, 2010 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

Dwight can handle it.

by fwedo on Oct 27, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

People who are still sleeping on the magic haven’t watched much basketball.

Good luck trapping nelson in the open court. He’s short, but that don’t matter bringing the ball up. They trap off of carter? just pass him the ball, he’s tall and can jump to get it and the ball handling to run it down court.

Worrying about traps when you have an above average point guard is silly.

by David Polega on Oct 27, 2010 5:23 PM EDT reply actions

Brian Feldman is a cool dude

He does a lot of awesome things in Orlando

Nah' mean, nah'm sayin

by Dr Things on Oct 27, 2010 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

Love Hollinger's analysis.

He always uses his head. I hope he’s right and we’re slept on all season. We always play better when people sleep on our talents.

The intensity has to go up, up! Not down...UP! -Stan Van Gundy

by cgsimone on Oct 27, 2010 7:59 PM EDT reply actions

I'd worry more about Blatche than wall

by Raptorel on Oct 28, 2010 4:33 AM EDT reply actions

If I were the Wizards, I'd worry the same thing.

Blatche is almost comically awful — 51% true shooting, poor rebounding, no defense, mental errors all the time. If they have to rely on Blatche to do anything, they’ve already lost.

You mess with the 4-out/1-in, you get the Horns.

by 3.3seconds on Oct 28, 2010 5:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes but he fought so hard to get that triple double... if you remember what I am talking about

by Raptorel on Oct 28, 2010 7:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Is Andray Blatche Anthony Bowie?

It makes sense — same initials, plus “Andray Blatche” is an obviously fake name.

You mess with the 4-out/1-in, you get the Horns.

by 3.3seconds on Oct 28, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I love it when people dismiss teams

Stan’s brother said last night only Boston and the Heat have a chance to come out of the east. To say that the Magic have no chance to come out of the east is asinine no matter what the reason, before the season even starts.

If you were a man I would punch you, right in the mouth.

by Eric9321 on Oct 28, 2010 11:06 AM EDT reply actions