Orlando Magic News for May 3rd: Mickael Pietrus Says He'll Play, Mike Woodson Says Jason Collins Will Play, and More
- Mickael Pietrus says he will play in Tuesday’s Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks – Orlando Magic BasketBlog
Orlando Magic small forward Mickael Pietrus, who sprained his left ankle during practice Sunday evening, also sat out of practice today. But he promised today that he will play in tomorrow's series opener against the Atlanta Hawks. Orlando will need Pietrus' ace perimeter defense on Hawks All-Star guard Joe Johnson and top reserve Jamal Crawford.
- Atlanta Hawks could follow the Charlotte Bobcats’ blueprint regarding Dwight Howard – Orlando Magic BasketBlog – Orlando Sentinel
Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports that Hawks head coach Mike Woodson plans to enlist little-used backup center Jason Collins "for sure" to help handle Dwight Howard on the interior. Howard scored 21.0 points per game against the Hawks in the regular season, so containing him is a priority.
- Interview with Ben Q. Rock of Orlando Pinstriped Post, Part II | Magic Basketball
Here's the second half of my q-and-a exchange with Eddy. It's my turn to answer questions in this installment.
- 2010 NBA playoffs: Round 2 heavily favors teams with home-court advantage - ESPN
John Hollinger of ESPN Insider says that the NBA's second-round matchups won't be too interesting if recent history is any indication. Of the Magic's upcoming series with the Hawks, he writes, "I would strongly suggest the Hawks win the opener Tuesday, especially since that's probably their best shot to steal one given the rust Orlando should have from an eight-day layoff."
- Hoopinion: Long Two-Point Jumpers As Team Identity
Bret LaGree of Hoopinion says the disparity between the number of long two-pointers the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic attempt highlights the larger philosophical differences between the two clubs.
- 2010 NBA Mock Draft, Version 1.0 - Ridiculous Upside
Ridiculous Upside's first NBA Mock Draft has the Magic selecting South Florida guard Dominique Jones 29th overall.
- Amway Arena, Home of the Orlando Magic - Stadium Reviews and Sports Travel Community at stadiumjourney.com
Paul Swaney of Stadium Journey reviews the Amway Arena.
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Colin Cowherd tooting our horn on ESPN today
“They may not look the part, but they’re just too deep, and I think the Magic are going to win this whole party.”
I know we’ve beaten this topic into the ground, but it still amazes me how few members of the TV media think we will win the championship. Glad at least some people have the nuts to speak their minds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nun5FZTZqis
The great thing about "Hack-a-Howard"
is it puts the Magic in the bonus early. Then Vince, Jameer and JJ can drive the lane and shoot FT’s all night long. Bring it on, you wusses!
"There are two ways to argue with a woman, and neither of them work."; Carlos Boozer
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
The only way to stop LeBron is Smith and Wesson, but even that's a double team.
by NC Magic Fan on May 3, 2010 6:55 PM EDT reply actions
I remember that happened in one of the regular season games
Dwight drew quick fouls…but the rest of the team need to make the most of the penalty situation. VC can get a bit senile at time and forget he’s an awesome driver of the ball. ’Shard and Pietrus sometimes are too busy camping in the 3 point line.
I’m intrigued by the 29th mock draft pick in that link. Is he really all that’s hyped up in that article? I mean, there’s a reason why most players aren’t 29th pick. Of course there are exceptions, but most of them have been international picks or college players with injury concerns.
The inability to create separation, shoot consistently, and make good decisions hurts his stock, as does the program from which he comes
But he sounds like an excellent driver / contact-drawer. And if he can play both guard positions competently, he’d address two needs.
In all fairness, this makes sense.
Not in a “I think this guy will be good” sense — in a “the Magic have always had a weakness for combo guards from small Southern schools.” Sometimes that hasn’t worked out (Jeryl Sasser, that other guy) and sometimes it has (Courtney Lee, though he was more of a pure SG than advertised.)
For my part, I’m looking at an undersized 2-guard without a reliable college three-pointer, who’ll be 22 when next season starts. I mean, work him out, but I’m skeptical.
Jameer Nelson is Jimmy Olsen.
I’m hoping Eric Bledsoe will stay in the draft and drop to 29. I’m not sold on Jones. I’d almost rather take James Anderson [Oklahoma State], even though he’s a non-handling 2, or Kalin Lucas [Michigan State], who’s a 6’0" point that shoots 35% from 3.
As a second-round flier if there aren’t any “worthy” guards left in the first round, Kemba Walker [UConn] or Sherron Collins [Kansas] should be available at the end of the second round. Both are undersized speedsters; Walker’s a better defender, Collins is probably a better passer.
The third option (and least likely) would be bringing someone in from the D-League, like Will Conroy.
Honor is no substitute for victory.
I highly doubt Bledsoe will drop to 29.
But we can dream.
I hate Varejao.
For the second round, I think it should be some random European player that is really, really tall
Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek
RU has us taking a 6'6" Russian guard (Alexey Shved)
The ridiculously tall random European player in this draft is Miroslav Raduljica – 7’0" Serb. There’s also Robin Benzing, a 6’10" SF from Germany
Honor is no substitute for victory.
Hack-a-Howard with a twist...
Against Howard it’s not just simple mathematics with the “hacking” strategy like for example with Shaq.
The fouling quite often puts Dwight out of his comfort zone mentally – he really cut down on his techs in the last couple of months, but the frustration fouls, the push-offs – it all starts with Dwight being either fouled or getting a no-call from the refs when a guy hammers away at him or hooks his arm.
While the hawks don’t have as many fouls to give on Dwight as the Cats (I would even argue Bobcats big men were simply better suited to fight Dwight) they are more likely to frustrate him and take the Magic out of their offense.
The positive fromlast years series – Gortat was able to fill in for Dwight very well, so even if we get another 25-minutes-a-game series from Dwight – we should be OK.
until the conference finals…
Feed the cutter!!!
by Piotr Szczesniak on May 4, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree
You can see it all over his face when he has an easy lay-in/dunk and he gets fouled. He is due for a couple of nice performances from the free throw line, hopefully it starts tonight.
Last thing ATL wants is a thunderous dunk from D12 early in the game.
FEED THE BEAST!!!
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I hope Dwight will break a basket during this series.
That would make many happy and someone really mad.
Time to get that finger bling-bling
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
I think it's too bad the Magic passed on Jordan Crawford in that mock...
I think he’ll be a star in the NBA but then again, if he were so great, he wouldn’t be taken in the 2nd round. I also think it’s too bad that LaceDarius Dunn is returning to Baylor for his Senior year because I like him a lot too and most mocks I saw had him falling late in the first round.
I'm a dude!
Orlando Pinstriped Post: Where game threads turn into online chat rooms!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPlLyVuMf7U
I've seen a decent amount of "experts" pick the Magic...
…. but they are usually writing for a sub-site on ESPN or CNNSi…. so yeah, nothing truly national. Interestingly though, they mostly have the Magic going over the Suns or Lakers.

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