Boston Celtics 94, Orlando Magic 71
by Evan Dunlap on May 23, 2010 12:17 AM EDT
in 2009/2010 Recaps
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In a game they needed to win to keep any realistic hope of winning the NBA championship alive, the Orlando Magic instead came out flat and trailed throughout, as the Boston Celtics put on a clinic on both ends of the floor, taking a 3-0 advantage in the Eastern Conference Finals by a final score of 94-71. Boston scored the first 7 points of the game before Orlando countered with 6 of its own, but what transpired in the next 4:51 effectively decided the game: the Celtics scored 14 straight points to take a 21-6 lead, and Orlando never recovered. Never came close to recovering. A team that compiled a 79-44 record on the road over the last three seasons utterly folded under pressure. I can't recall the Magic looking any more flustered than they did tonight at any other point during coach Stan Van Gundy's tenure. His team now faces a 3-0 deficit, which no NBA team has ever surmounted.
| Team | Pace | Efficiency | eFG% | FT Rate | OReb% | TO Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic | 83 | 85.1 | 43.1% | 23.1 | 7.7 | 20.4 |
| Celtics | 84 | 112.1 | 50.7% | 27.4 | 17.5 | 10.7 |
| Green denotes a stat better than the team's regular-season average; red denotes a stat worse than the team's regular-season average. | ||||||
For Orlando, there is no bright side here. Boston outclassed it in every aspect of the game. Jameer Nelson appeared to be the only player who really competed, at times, and he didn't even play all that well, scoring 15 points on 15 shooting possessions with 1 assist and 4 turnovers. Rashard Lewis continued to struggle, with 4 points on 2-of-8 shooting, 4 rebounds, 5 fouls, and 4 turnovers. And the defense, which had to this point been decent, completely fell apart. The Celtics' interior passing exposed the Magic and led to scores of easy buckets. Nothing went right.
Six Celtics scored in double-figures. Glen Davis, who led everyone with 17 points off the bench, sort of highlighted the difference between the teams tonight. He dove for loose balls, deflected passes, fought for position... just everywhere. The Magic? A step slow, consistently.
Van Gundy took some blame for that after the game, but I'm not sure what else he's expected to do. Now, waiting until the 1:24 mark of the first period, with his team in a 15-point hole, in a hostile environment in a must-win game? Of that I was critical; he should have gone to J.J. Redick much earlier. But he's not the one scared to throw a pass on offense, or blowing a defensive assignment. It's his players who didn't finish the job tonight.
A tip of the cap to the Celtics here, who learned a lesson in their last series when they relaxed in Game 3 on their home floor against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and took a 32-point defeat. They set the tone, played hard, played well, and executed on both ends of the court. I don't know what else there is to say here, other than Rajon Rondo is one of very few players in the league who can dominate a game in which he misses 10 of his 14 shots. He finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 12 assists, and 4 steals.
The Magic's season will end in disappointment. The only question is when, and even then there appears to be an obvious answer. Game 4 is Monday and there's no reason--literally, none--to believe they can win that one, given what transpired tonight.
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Hey, you can use the Flyers as inspiration
/weeps uncontroably
Im better now. Seriously, Its still not over
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by bestbostonsports on May 23, 2010 12:20 AM EDT reply actions
Too finesse of a basketball team
As much as people talk about how great our offense is, for 3 years now its been throttled by good defensive teams with length. Guys who can take our three and feel comfortable guarding Dwight in single coverage cause they have the bodies too.
Magic gotta get tougher in the frontcourt. Dwight has to learn post moves, Rashard is a 3 not a 4, and add an additional 4 (move Gortart? idk)
Barnes and Pietrus can come off the bench.
And for god sake’s encourage this team to play in the post more.
"To my Hustlers, heres some motivation: He who has begun is half done, why you waiting?"-NaS
Certified Kristin Kreuk obsessive.
I still don't buy it. This team, with the same core principles, made it to the NBA Finals last year. The approach isn't what's lacking. It's the execution and effort.
by Evan Dunlap on May 23, 2010 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions
If we played this celtics team last year, I don't see the results being any different then they are now.
Hedo or not.
Those core principles didn’t get it done in the finals either.
What can you do to fix execution and effort?? Doesn’t that fall on the coach most of time? I’m not throwing SVG under the bus, i’m just asking.
Never trust a fart
by AB's triple double on May 23, 2010 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
The Magic didn't win the Finals last year. They still haven't won a championship.
Whether you think the approach is working or not depends on your goal. If it is to win a championship, then the approach hasn’t worked. But if your goal is to have a great regular season and go deep in the playoffs, then it has worked this year and last year.
Being competitive isn't the same as winning.
The fact is the approach so far has not yielded a championship. You can always try again next year.
For the Magic to make it to the Finals next season, the Celtics will either have to see a substantial decline in the production of the Big Three or one of their starters will have to be out with an injury. Also Lebron and Wade will have to be without good enough teams, wherever they might land.
Of course, the Lakers will have be to hobbled or better yet not even make it to the Finals. If all those things happen, then the Magic’s approach might just work.
If Dwight flourishes his post moves this summer instead of making movies and commercials....
.. we will be fine next season with the same line up.
Or not, because we're a soft team with a soft mentality
And don’t adjust at all.
Lets be real:
We got to the finals going 7 games against a KG-Less Boston team, and the guy that got us the win in game 7 isn’t here no more (not that I think Hedo would have gotten us over the hump) and then beat a team with the MVP going 1 on 5 and their coach being stupid enough to have Delonte West and Mo Williams guard Hedo from being the ball up the court at times.
This gimmicky offense of having 4 guys spread the floor for 3’s and Dwight ready in the paint doesn’t work when another team has players tough enough to guard him with single coverage and defend our 3 point well.
Its still a half court defense league if you want to win championships and for 4 straight years Orlando cant compete with that.
This is a good team that still cant get quite get over the hump and are still a step behind the elite, not part of it.
"To my Hustlers, heres some motivation: He who has begun is half done, why you waiting?"-NaS
Certified Kristin Kreuk obsessive.
by Wasabi Steak on May 23, 2010 2:49 AM EDT up reply actions
the only elite teams of the last three seasons (counting this one) are the Celtics and Lakers
It’s no coincidence that they’ve won the last two championships and they’ll be in the Finals again.
The Magic and Cavaliers, who have been lumped with the two above all these years, have been a mirage and aren’t part of the elite (which number only 2 and not 4).
I agree. More post plays please. Make a S/T for Bosh or keep Gortat at 4 permanent. It’s risky bc it’s a new system, and Dwight isn’t exactly fundamental for another post player to be with him, but I still see someone like Gortat and Bosh learning to give Dwight space and develop excellent skills and passing with each other down low over a season or two, not too mention the vastly imrpved rebounding and D.
I also, when it comes down to the real games, do not like Jameer and VC together. Neither knows how to playmake when there’s no good options offensively. Based on this series, I’d keep VC but Im afraid after another year, he’ll be too much slower. Jameer fits this team better than just about anyone else, skill set wise, too, but he’s not dependable or consistent and that’s doubly hurtful from a PG spot, he needs a side playmaker who is taller and more consistent, aka not VC and someone who can get the Magic 4-6 assists a night instead, against the teams in the real games. Increasing JJs role to 6th man should help there too.
This core team should have another year together, but Im already getting the distinct feeling that the Magic’s prime is when Dwight is at his peak in some more years and the Magic SHOULD load up with that in mind. Dwight is too volatile and immature for winning a ship now. Dwigh alone means deep playoffs every year so younger guys around him will work. It’s time to make a team that will have the length and matchups against the real elite teams and have 3-4 years of play together (Bass and Gortat fit here) to grow more experienced against a defensive team like Boston and LA and not be baffled by it or fold.
Was taking to an AAU coach, obviously no NBA Scout or anything but he doesn’t like the 3s system. Too volatile, very stoppable with the right big man, Gasol, Perks, and looks deceptively good when playing inferior opponents (which is most of the reg. season, not postseason).
by derekk on May 23, 2010 2:47 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Tell Rashard Lewis to post up!
This guy has the offensive game of a white guy in college lol. Hes all jump shooting and taking the three, very rarely does he post up. He’s not a power forward, we don’t have a power forward unless we put Gortart and Howard in the same lineup.
"To my Hustlers, heres some motivation: He who has begun is half done, why you waiting?"-NaS
Certified Kristin Kreuk obsessive.
by Wasabi Steak on May 23, 2010 2:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Imagine Horace grant with Dwight. That could be Gortat over more time with Dwight, maybe even Bass if he gets PT and a couple seasons. Imagine Bynum anchoring the paint with Gasol on the high post. Now imagine that with Dwight instead anchoring, and Bosh up high. Game over.
Of course the system right now doesn’t need a change at all (Keep Rashard at 4 and Ryan backing and eventually taking over) IF the Magic somehow land CP3 or Wade…. hehe.
by derekk on May 23, 2010 3:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Wish we had mid 2000s Udonis Haslem on this squad cause that would complement Dwight big time
A shoot Power Forward who can play in the paint too.
"To my Hustlers, heres some motivation: He who has begun is half done, why you waiting?"-NaS
Certified Kristin Kreuk obsessive.
by Wasabi Steak on May 23, 2010 3:43 AM EDT up reply actions
We don't run post plays for Lewis
Actually, that’s one thing that probably is on van Gundy.
by eltharion_doa on May 23, 2010 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
In retrospect, Jameer stepped up. Don’t know if he was letting VC dominate the ball or was uncomfortable at first, but Jameer’s skills fit best like I said, only I don’t know why I even thought Id keep VC long term bc the rest of the team doesn’t look as good when VC is playing well like in the first game or so of series. Jameer plays well, the team does, he shows some of that with assists but also efficient scoring, and if there ever was another playmaker better than VC, Hedo it would make Orlando doubly dangerous.
by derekk on May 28, 2010 2:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
They gave up.
I’ve never been ashamed to be a Magic fan before this game. They just gave up.
When Jason Williams allowed Rondo to outhustle him to the ball, and then proceeded to just let him score a lay-up over him (seriously, how in the (#$*($)($%%#$(#(%$#(*%&# do you NOT foul the crap out of him at that point, even if a flagrant gets called?), I knew this series was over. All credit to the C’s for taking away the team’s will to play, because that’s what happened.
I’m way too depressed right now.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
There's not much to say...
Except, that it’s sad, disapointing… we didn’t even REACH the Finals! And with arguably the BEST TEAM in the NBA. Hard to point out where we failed, but some OBVIOUS, are the lack of effort, hustle (see Baby… Rondo go for a loose ball, in contrast), TOTAL lack of confidence and judgement in shot selection AND execution; Carter, Carter, Carter; KILLING US with his fade-away jumpers, when he SHOULD have gone straight to the hoop; Lewis… this is too much… And to think that we are paying him $120 MILLLION….
We ALSO need a GOOD Point guard, one who actually LOOKS for the open man AND makes the RIGHT pass, at the RIGHT time.
We have to start preparing fo NEXT YEAR… It was great while it lasted; Thanks for the memories!
what's the point?
Never trust a fart
by AB's triple double on May 23, 2010 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions
imagining that is as a pointless as imagining megan fox showing up at your front door
not gonna be happening anytime soon.
Never trust a fart
by AB's triple double on May 23, 2010 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, it was Jameer's fault.
If only we had a good PG, we would’ve only lost by 19. Please, get a clue.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
Disappointed.
Over the past few years, I’ve seen this team claw back from deficits and fight to stay alive. I just didn’t see any heart in this team whatsoever tonight. The funny thing is, I saw it in a good deal of Game 2. But it’s clear that the so called “rust” from Game 1 wasn’t that at all. The Magic just weren’t ready to bring it against the Celtics plain and simple.
I agree with Ben that it isn’t the approach of Stan and his staff that’s a problem. In fact, the ability to swing the ball around and make shots is how many experts said you beat the Celtics. If the Magic executed their offense just slightly as good as their capable while playing smart defense (like they had all year), then this series would be very competitive. Instead, they folded and let the Celtics completely into their heads.
Many people will say that Turkoglu is the difference, but Turk wouldn’t have given us the heart we needed to win this series.
I’ve been an Orlando Magic fan for 20 years. I was six years old when my grandmother bought me a pinstriped black hat with a lone-starred Orlando logo. My favorite player was Nick Anderson. I’ve seen a lot of teams come and go in that time. The Shaq/Penny days, the Heart & Hustle days, and now the Dwight Howard/Stan Van Gundy era. I will never lose my love for this organization. I’m a basketball fan second, and an Orlando Magic fan first. That will never change.
It’s always worse when your parents are not mad at you, (because they love you) but are disappointed in you. Without a doubt, I’m disappointed in this team.
The intensity has to go up, up! Not down...UP! -Stan Van Gundy
by cgsimone on May 23, 2010 12:45 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
We got used to the Magic always fighting back, regardless of the situation.
I would’ve bet my house on 2nite’s game or at least effort, and i’d be homeless now.
Never trust a fart
by AB's triple double on May 23, 2010 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I didn't know if they'd win, but I would've never expected them to play like that.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
I’ll still support the Magic until the final second of their season is up. But i’m ready for the offseason talk to begin. Watching Rondo set his players up for easy buckets, control the tempo, huddle his team up and be a leader, just showed me what this Magic team is missing. They’re missing a playmaker, someone who finds the open man. How many times do we have to see dwight pinning his man down with his hands in the air, only to have to leave the paint b4 a 3 seconds is called? Most of the time, jameer see’s him too late. JVG hit it on the head, jameer has to improve his passing…do you waste Dwight’s best years, or do you make a move and surround him with a playmaker. They"ve got a consistent scorer in Vince, a Matchup nightmare with Rashard (except against KG) 2 defensive stoppers, and a dominant center. But besides Vince and Dwight, nobody can get their own shot. They need someone to get them shots. Big baby would average 2 ppg on the Magic, the dude eats off of Rondo. The Magic lost a lot of assists when Hedo left and Jameer hasn’t picked that up. I could be wrong, but Jameer is not know for his dazzling assist stats.
by jonathan.rivera84 on May 23, 2010 1:09 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
To quote Eddy Rivera:
“Third, Nelson’s assists are very low? During the regular season, Nelson’s assist percentage was 32.1 percent … which was right there with players like Jose Calderon, Darren Collison, Andre Miller, and others. To accuse Nelson of playing street ball is a bit ridiculous.
Nelson’s percentage in the playoffs, currently, is 28.1 percent."
Jameer, contrary to your points, has the best chemistry with Dwight. Rashard typically is also the guy who’s getting the entry pass in to Dwight. But sorry, no one else besides JJ is even remotely good at it. Do you remember the few occasions when Vince missed a wide open Dwight earlier in the series, to the point that Dwight was visibly frustrated with him after the play? No, just continue to make a scapegoat out of Nelson. He hasn’t played great this series, but he’s not even close to the top 5 reasons we’re down 0-3. How quick people forget he was the best player while the Magic were dismantling their competition in the first two rounds.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
Agree. It's not Nelson's fault alone. It falls on all 4 All-Stars of the team.
None of them really stepped up to the challenge.
Magic Fan since the 1992-1993 Season.
Caracas, Venezuela.
by North of the South on May 23, 2010 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Jameer is not a true point guard
He’s more of a scoring point guard, i.e., one who scores first and passes second. That’s why his assist per game has never even reached 6 in any season. Even in the first two rounds he averaged only 5.3 assists.
His limited talent has been exposed in this series. When he can’t score, he can’t do much else. He’s had a total of 7 assists in this series. He actually has more turnovers than assists (10 vs. 7).
Compare that to Rondo, who has a minimum of 8 assists in every game in the series (in the entire playoffs he’s had at least 8 in every game except one, when he had 7).
Ben was right when he said above, “Rajon Rondo is one of very few players in the league who can dominate a game in which he misses 10 of his 14 shots.” That’s the difference between him and Jameer.
Assists aren't the only measure of a point guard
He’s a shoot-first point guard who shoots well. Where’s the problem?
And as Eddy pointed out, his assist % this season was in line with pass-first guys like Andre Miller and Jose Calderon.
The problem is when he can't score
It’s great when he averages 20.5 points against Charlotte and Atlanta. Then nobody pays attention to his assists or defense.
But when he can’t score, he becomes one-dimensional because he’s not great at anything other than scoring.
Why are Miller and Calderon even mentioned? Especially Calderon. Jameer should aim far higher than these two. If you want to compliment him, compare him to Chauncey Billups or Tony Parker, two big time scoring point guards.
Jameer’s assists per game stat doesn’t lie, notwithstanding Eddy’s metric. In an average of 31 minutes last season and 28 minutes this season, he still averaged just 5.4 assists per game. That’s just low for a point guard and shows his limitations as a passer.
It's also a function of the offense. The Magic don't get a lot of assists because they have a wing guy (Carter or Turk) who goes 1v1 and a center who creates for himself in the post or gets fouled
They’re not running the Jazz’s flex offense here.
I’ll give you that point. I don’t think Jameer is the root problem either. It’s an offense that didn’t really gell til a few months ago, and a more aware wing can solve alot of problems, and a more efficient Dwight against elite teams will also fix this.
by derekk on May 23, 2010 3:12 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Don’t they get most of their assists from swinging the ball? Which they can’t do well if Dwights not getting doubled? That’s where I think a better passing pg would be essential. Especially when dwights having a rough night.
by jonathan.rivera84 on May 23, 2010 3:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
There were no passes to make.
There were no lanes. Steve Nash couldn’t have helped in that game. The whole offense was stagnant and tentative.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
I agree. A PG who did nothing well… And I thought his game 1 was so good despite the %, he just had to stay aggressive. It was a shame, you have to put a lil more blame on the PG than others.
by derekk on May 23, 2010 3:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So his assist percentage is about the same as Calderon, Miller and a rookie…He may have the best chemistry with Dwight but JJ feeds him the ball better. Jameer has the ball in his hands the most but yet JJ is the best at getting dwight the ball on the roll to the rim. In my opinion, if your team only posts 10 assists, coach better be looking at the point guard first. I’m not making Jameer a scapegoat, I simply stated the obvious, what do you need to counter a great defensive team? Great passing…The Celtics, mostly Rondo, made the Magic defensive look slightly above average…. Jameer needs to pass the ball better…Vince is a scorer and at times can be a good passer, Rashard is a scorer, Pietrus is a gun slinger..Who’s gonna make the tough pass to the open man? .Why do you think JJ has such a good impact on the team vs the celtics? Bc he puts the ball on the floor and gets it moving, he finds the right guy, he see’s the floor better than the starting point guard. Your best passer needs to be the one who has the ball the most. Why did the Magic not miss a beat last year without Nelson? Because Turk and Rafer were good passers, Skip pushed the ball, and Turk got teammates involved. Game 7 in Boston, Skip was hittin Dwight on the roll to the basket, dwight was spinnin and finishin. Turk scored but he also was dishing out assists. Dwight is at his best when he uses his athleticism and that’s the only way he can be successful against teams that play him straight up. Magic need a playmaker and since Wade isn’t available, which position is the best one to look at upgrading to get the team a better passer?
Your point is valid but wasn’t he taking Felton and the only pg in the league that can’t guard his own shadow (bibby) to school? I didn’t forget that he shot the ball great, but come on, what’s he averaging in assists this series? It STARTS with him…The C’s have Shut down his offense, him scoring 20 isn’t going to beat the C’s, and he’s not getting it done in other areas… most importantly his assists. The only thing other than offense he can realistically contribute is assists, I don’t see being able to put up more rebounding…If he can’t register more than 4 assists against great defensive teams, he’s going to have to improve his passing ability or the Magic need to get a playmaker. Not placing the blame on anyone for this series because its more than one player but the Magic were exposed…they lack the ability to pass well when dwight doesn’t get double teamed.. Last year they lacked a player who couldt get his own shot,, this year the spotlight is on the assists. Against the Cavs I don’t think it would have been exposed bc of the double team on dwight that allows the ball to swing around the perimeter to find the open guy. But when they’re being played straight up, they need a passer…should the Shooting guard be expected to be the best passer?? In game 1 and 2 the difference in the game was the easy buckets the celtics got at the rim off of nice passing by Rondo. The Magic got very few easy shots bc they weren’t creating them or couldn’t create them and however you look at it, that’s on jameer to create. Not your center, or defensive stopper or your 6’10 three point specialist…The other issue includes Rashard being owned by KG. People will want to use Vince as a scapegoat, but this series would not have been close in game 1 or 2 if he wasn’t attacking and scoring.
by jonathan.rivera84 on May 23, 2010 2:51 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Wall of text.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
lol More like wall of disappointment in the lack of assists.
by jonathan.rivera84 on May 23, 2010 3:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It's not just Jameer. Assists are down for the whole team in this series.
They’ve ran a very slow half-court offense, which is exactly what the Celtics wanted. Compare the regular season games between these 2 teams and now. Magic are just too slow due to hesitation.
It’s not the roster or the coaching staff, it’s their mindset. Unfortunately it looks like they all bought into their own hype, and thought they could coast their path to the Finals once the Cavs got booted. These players could’ve used some adversity in the first couple of rounds. They’ve had a way to easy past 4 months, and they didn’t react well to a resistance.
Magic Fan since the 1992-1993 Season.
Caracas, Venezuela.
by North of the South on May 23, 2010 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions
They need to get out and Run! If they even want to have a chance at winning game 4. The Celtics D is too good when you let them set up half court. Make those old boys Run!
by jonathan.rivera84 on May 23, 2010 1:19 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
That's part of what made the Hawks successful against Boston this year.
Sadly, that is not the Magic’s game.
Magic Fan since the 1992-1993 Season.
Caracas, Venezuela.
by North of the South on May 23, 2010 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Again
This isn’t a team designed to play up tempo, it’s never run an up tempo offense. They’d probably make even more mistakes do something they’ve never done than they are currently.
You don’t spend three years honing an offensive strategy then suddenly dump it and expect great things. Pro hoops doesn’t work like that.
by eltharion_doa on May 23, 2010 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
When the Magic went down 6-21 they probably had the same reaction I had:
“Aww, crap! We are not winning this one”
I turned off the tv. They did the equivalent on the court.
Magic Fan since the 1992-1993 Season.
Caracas, Venezuela.
by North of the South on May 23, 2010 1:28 AM EDT reply actions
I wish I could've done the same thing at Ale House.
But yes, that’s about right. They quit 7 minutes into the game.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
Sign of an immature team...
We needed some heart and hustle in this series. You can’t just quit if shots aren’t falling in.
Pretty much.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
Why aren't the Magic as good defensively as the Celtics?
People say that the Celtics are shutting down the Magic offense because they don’t have to double-team Howard. Well, the Magic aren’t double-teaming anyone on the Celtics team. So why are the Magic not having the same effect on Boston that Boston has on the Magic?
They were, but they lost their focus last game or so. I’m still not convinced Rondo can do much on Dwight. It’s been as such forever until the last two games, and Rondo is huge for them. Also, the Magic do a fair job to bottle up Pierce and/or Allen and they botched that this series, Barnes and Pietrus and Carter didn’t cut it defensively (Why I say a SF is better than SG, too many SGs who will blow by a poor defender at SG).
by derekk on May 23, 2010 2:01 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Are you talking about how the Magic played defense against Boston in the regular season?
From what we’ve seen in the playoffs, I don’t think you can go by what happened in the regular season.
They have the same rotation as last years playoffs. No KG (who did nothing offensiely and is not Dwight defensively), but everyone else right down to the Davis and Allen from the bench playing big roles again. Scal mightve played too much but that’s it. So last playoffs and last 2 reg. seasons. Trust me, Magic play good D on em, they just mentally gave up during game 1 and when their offense is as bad as theirs they ain’t gonna be playin D either after awhile. No point.
by derekk on May 23, 2010 2:55 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well I’ve noticed that they’ve been getting us on the back-door tons this serious. I feel like they were able to plan around Dwight’s defense. Once he went to challenge Rondo on a drive, for instance, Rondo would pass it to Big Baby, who gets an easy basket. Slow rotations from the team all around. If Dwight decides not to challenge the driver, which I think didn’t happen at all today (hence Rondo’s bad shooting night), then Rondo would just flick it in there, with no one really defending him.
The Celtics move exceptionally well without the ball and constantly talk to each other.
Magic, on the other hand, do not move AT ALL. You’d think they’d at least come to the ball…Nope! They make it really easy for the Celtics to stay in the passing lanes and that’s the major difference between them. Rather than allowing a Magic player to catch the ball and then try and stop them, they simply deny the pass.
by shyro25 on May 23, 2010 7:01 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Magic aren't as good
Because they don’t have as good individual defenders; because their defensive scheme doesn’t match up as well with the Celtics offense; and because they’re not trying as hard.
by eltharion_doa on May 23, 2010 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
What happened?
I’m still shocked about how this series has played out. Boston has played well the last month or so, but so have the Magic. To see the team literally fall apart and be blown out pretty much every game this series is disappointing.
I tried to believe in Vince and that he was going to help us win, but Courtney Lee would have been a better fit. Not to say he was the lone reason this team has sucked so much this series, but good lord he ain’t helpin either.
Win Game 3. Go Magic.
They weren't blown out in Game 2.
And even though they were down by 20 at one point in Game 1, they still fought and never quit (and almost won as a result). This game… I’m already done thinking about this game.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
I doubt courtney lee would have been better, other than to defend ray allen better. Lee wasn’t not great at creating his own shot, he was a rookie who was more of a spot up shooter. Carter has been a bright spot for the Magic, not completely blinding bright, but much brighter than the rest of the team. He’s been on the attack through games 1 and 2, the whole team put up a stinker tonight.
by jonathan.rivera84 on May 23, 2010 3:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Thats why Lee would be a better fit,
his defense. Carter’s defense has caused the mis-matches in Boston’s favor. And Carter’s “attacks” at the rim are not really attacks. JVG was pointing it out the whole series. He FADES on all his drives to the basket and not trying to get the foul. Vince had his moments in the season, and can play great basketball. But this was the series he could shut everyone up, and like Ben said after game 2, the media started bashing him again.
But mostly, gotta credit Boston for not letting us do want we want to do.
Win Game 3. Go Magic.
How would Lee be a better fit?
It was Redick that shut down Allen in the playoffs last season, not Lee.
And Lee’s offense is utterly anemic compared to even what shitty Vince has provided.
by eltharion_doa on May 23, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Courtney Lee are you serious?
Every game only two starters show up. We cant beat any good team with those kind of stats.
Me Against The World And I'm Winning
Utterly dissapointed
I don’t have much more to say, and I really don’t think I need to say it. We all know what happened. This team owes us, the organization, but mostly owes themselves a better showing than that. They should feel like a 7th grader who just got pantsed – underwear and all – in front of the entire school in the cafeteria. Honestly that is how I felt as a fan and how I would feel as a player. There effort was disgusting. I have never felt this way as a fan before, but I truly feel like this team owes us a better showing in game 4. I hope we can win that one, and for my sake, game 5, because I am (hopefully) going to get to attend that with my girlfriend and meet Dwight. But like I said, disgusting. I have thoughts on the future of this team and the direction it needs to go in, but I will hold off until later next week to voice them.
I'm starting to believe that Amare and Dwight were supposed to be one person,
they are the dominant big man we have been waiting for, only something went wrong. Cause, they both lack what the other has, it’s almost comical, if they were one person they’d be the MVP.
"To my Hustlers, heres some motivation: He who has begun is half done, why you waiting?"-NaS
Certified Kristin Kreuk obsessive.
You know it's going to be a bad game when...
…Celtics’ reserve Glen “Big Baby” Davis (17 points) scores more points than the entire Magic starting frontline combined (13 points on 6 of 20 shooting).
…Rajon Rondo has more assists (12) than the entire Magic team combined (10).
…the Celtics as a team miss fewer three pointers (5) than Lewis and Carter combined (8).
…the Celtics consistently outhustle the Magic the whole game.
"2010 Orlando Magic Playoff Basketball... Enjoy the Ride."
"Chicago Blackhawks... One Goal... the Stanley Cup"
by Mike from Illinois on May 23, 2010 4:55 AM EDT reply actions
The last point was the hardest one to deal with.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
something has happened that caused us to go from 8-0 in the playoffs to 8-3. i'm thinking to myself, do we need drastic change? or was this Boston team just clicking like it has never done before?
I suppose the impending shock of a sweep may cause us to reshuffle our lineup for the second straight year.
Otis is unlikely to hit the panic button and blow everything up because of one series.
Boston is playing better basketball than it has at any point during the big 3 era. We aren’t even putting forth 10% of the effort that we need to.
true. but I fear his hand may be forced by a few things
Bass may want to move out, so does Gortat. Possibly JJ, Barnes and J-Will.
Bass was likely to be traded anyways due to differing styles of play.
Not sure if we will trade Gortat, but that was a possibility as well. And we have until July 7th to use the 7mil trade exception that we got from Hedo’s sign and trade. JJ will likely be matched, unless he gets an outrageous offer (which seems unlikely). Barnes probably won’t be back.
Barnes and Williams have expiring deals
We have the pieces to make trades to get in replacement players.
by eltharion_doa on May 23, 2010 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Will not comment game
other than congratulating Celtics for tearing us apart.
Superb performance, ship worthy. Never commented elsewhere, but I am going over to post that on their blog, too.
Stay classy.
0-3
0-1 don’t panic, 0-2 don’t panic, now 0-3 now the ones telling me not to panic are raising hell. lmao. Jumping on Mr. Dribbles now OMG. I’ve said he should have been traded 3 years ago. It’s too damn late to get serious about the Magic now with any blame game. I have only have one question now. Will we win at least one game? Or do I panic now? Ottis has his work cut out now. It’s a shame the we got out played and out coached at the same time. I still have my season tickets for next year though.
If you like it that way, start panic.
Look, there are many superb teams in NBA history that fell short for the ship.
Just think of Utah Jazz.
There’s much more to getting the ship than filling the roster and having the coach, even if both is excellent.
Don’t forget the lady luck.
Stay classy.
Yeah, people tend to forget that last ingredient.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
No Double Team, No Offense
If we can’t create a double team in the post, our offense is broken. We simply don’t have enough plays to create offense if that’s not working.
I kept waiting on SVG to initiate the offense through VC post ups, but that never happened. Having said that, Boston’s defense is elastic. They have perfect spacing. I have to take my hat off to them because they turn every player into a “off the dribble” scorer. They are the better team. We can’t matchup with their toughness mentally or physically.
Man, that was hard to say.
Yup, it's hard to say, but it's true.
They kept hitting us and we just stopped hitting back by the 1st quarter in game 3.
The Magic couldn’t utilize their PnR effectively either, which was their other method of opening up offense. No offense generated off Dwight post-ups (besides game 2) or PnR means the entire Magic offense is dead.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
Can we change the blog name again to
Third Series Collapse.
by downbeatitude on May 23, 2010 8:38 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
I wonder how the Magic would look with a playmaker like T-Mac at SF
Now I realize this would make them even softer than they already are, but if you were to isolate this situation to only playmaking, I think it would be nice.
Unless the question is
“How could you make this Orlando team have even less hustle and grit?”
by eltharion_doa on May 23, 2010 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I think this shows how far talent without mental toughness takes you. I think it speaks volumes about the Cavaliers lack of will against the Magic last year, rather than the Magic’s talent. Howard needs a LOT of work on his offense. You begin to wonder if he doesn’t have it by now, if he is ever going to have it. And the whole offensive approach…….relying on 3-pointers. What do you do as a team when they stop going in the basket?
It's not that hard to learn a few fakes in the post, an up and under move and a few other basic moves
It’s the willingness to do so. I used to suck BIG time in the post and just made up my mind that I was going to use some post moves and bam, before you know it I play infinitely better in the post right now than I did just a few days ago. Just by wanting to do it.
Now I know at the highest level it’s different, but if I was able to do it I really really don’t see why Dwight can’t do it, unless he doesn’t really care and is just saying the “right things” in the press conference so he can look good for the press and for the people.
That is if Dwight's schedule allows it..
.. he probably got some movies and a bunch of commercials this summer.. so post moves, nah.. he’ll work on it during the regular season.
He has all the tools to be successful.
He just doesn’t use them consistently. It’s mindboggling that he can go from game 1’s production to game 2’s production right back to game 1’s production. In game 3, he had a few good moves that he came up empty on (just blown easy jump hooks), and instead of sticking with that, he decided to just keep throwing up sweeping hooks because they’re easier to get off. Who cares that they’re less efficient for him, gives him less chance to at least draw a foul, and is exactly what Boston is hoping for? His head just isn’t where it needs to be on offense too often. Unfortunately, that statement is true for the entirety of the Magic team this series (both on offense AND defense).
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
I have found the key to our championship next year
Dwayne Wade. If we can somehow convince him to sign he would have a dominant center just like he did with Shaq. Carter is definately not the answer as he is more of a bench player at this stage or just a compliment not someone to depend on to take us over the other elites. We wont need to depend on the 3 point game as much as Wade is capable of slashing to the hoop and getting to the line multiple times everything we hoped Carter would have provided. Rally for Dwade the real answer
Me Against The World And I'm Winning
*sigh*
You know, we’d be even better if we could sign Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Chris Bosh! We could bring Wade off the bench! How’s that for a sixth man?
Seriously, get off Wade. He’s not coming anywhere near the Magic. Living in a fantasy world is just pointless.
by eltharion_doa on May 23, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Nope. Bring in Billups :)
Meer for Billups would make perfect sense for Nuggets. They know they have small chances of a championship with so many powerhouses in the conference. They are relatively young so building for the future around Melo and Meer makes perfect sense.
Big Shot will be just a role player in 2-3 years so they need to win now to make use of him. Magic on the other hand need a guy who gets the team going in huddles and is a consistant provider of assists. He is also a great shooter and can torch opposing teams for 20+ points if left open.
The only thing we would be losing is youth. But for a perspective of a championship ring in the next 2 years…
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on May 24, 2010 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Love the picture posted...
RAJON ROOONNNDDDOOO!!! TIME OUT OOORRLLLAANNNDDOOO!!!
Classic piece of annoucing!
by Ol' Green Boyz on May 23, 2010 11:38 AM EDT reply actions
This is not the blog you are looking for.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
I have to say
The Celtics arena bounces when things are going well.
by eltharion_doa on May 23, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I know that actress Eliza Dushku is a Celtics fan. She was at a playoff game last yr, donno about this yr tho. I’d go to one of those games just to see her haha.
by derekk on May 23, 2010 11:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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