Boston Celtics 91, Orlando Magic 80

This might be the game that forces J.Rich to be traded for a Big and Wing. Anderson just flows much better off the bench but on the brighter side of things Clark looks like if given some time and a better shot selection he can contribute with his defense and driving ability.

Because there are no excuses for the classic “One pass, chuck a jumper” style of offense. Especially when your offense is already struggling against a stifling D. Newsflash guys: That’s what Boston wants you to do. That gives them a break on D for you to not even attempt any ball movement or penetration.

There is nothing to be optimistic about from this game. The only thing we can hope for is a turnaround in the second half like the Suns of last year, who rode that to a contested WCF appearance.

Also, E.D., you’re depressing me with 2013 Lottery talk…

Otis has to lose his job for the personnel moves he has made since ‘09. We had a good, young cohesive team with excellent chemistry and promise. We just needed a little beef inside to help out Howard (Bass) and we were good to go. Rafer would have given us a good backup PG with good defense, handle, and one who pushes the tempo. If you recall, that is why he jelled so well with that team when Jameer went down. Lee gave us efficient 3 PT%, as well as speed and defense in the backcourt. He got torched by Kobe in the finales, but he was a rookie, and really, who doesn’t Kobe light up?

We traded Lee, who has subsequently been a journeyman, but who was an excellent fit for our team. We let Hedo go, again, another great fit (albeit at a high price). Our backup PG’s have been Jason Williams and Duhon. Williams was great for pushing the pace (see a theme here?) but can not play a lick of defense. Duhon is a joke…this is a pro basketball player who literally can not shoot. And they gave him a very good contract…what a joke.

Otis let Barnes go…who is exactly the type of wing defenser and energy guy we need. He let Pietrus go. I understand that Pietrus turned into a glorified 3 pt-chucker, but he played good defense and fit our system.

The Magic’s system is unique and there are certain players who simply do not fit. Hint hint…Jason Richardson and Q-Richardson. I think J-Rich is a solid player but his defense is worse than Vince Carter’s (seriously) and he just doesn’t fit our system. Anyone can play two guard and shoot open threes without playing defense, rebounding, etc.

We are beginning to find out what Toronto and Phoenix found abut Hedo….he got his cake (money) and now he is literally eating it. As in eating it before the game, thus slowing down his game speed. He is a good fit, but a very unglamorous and high-priced fit.

The Areanas trade – on one hand I understand it. Rashard was againg and redundant with Anderson and Bass. On the other hand…ladies and gents meet your new Grant Hill. He is obviously not healthy and with age, will become increasingly unhealthy. Four more years! Four more years! Everbody! I would have preferred an aging Rashard over a WOTHLESS Arenas, for one less year. There would have been takers for that fat expriring deal after next year! Right at the time Howard was a free agent. That seems to get lost in the shuffle. We could have poured water on that Gremlin and watched it multiple into other valuable players, enticing Dwight to stay.

In the offseason..we signed Q-Rich and Duhon. That is borderline hilarious. Are these guys actual NBA players?

Otis has to take tha fall for some of this cowpie at some point in time. I smell a trade coming up with J-Rich’s expiring.

Howard is a monster and my favorite player. Even with the sheisty perimiter D – what is it with his defense too? No blocks in three straight games?? He doesn’t look close to the defensive MVP of the last two years. When he is dominating defenisvely is when the Magic are at their best. Is he being selfish for the sake of his own offesne? Unmotivated? Just trying to stay out of foul trouble?

Otis, you gotta go for this one buddy. I like the fact that you’re always willing to swing a deal, but you’ve mortgaged the future of the franchise. That big fancy new areana is going to be losing quite a bit of money if this team starts to floiunder and we lose ANOTHER superstar.

gotta run the ’ol spell checker next time…

Damn I gotta proofread before posting. I have a MBA but you’d never know it by my typo’s.

After Howard got his face slapped, Boston was in the Magic’s head. Pierce got into Clark’s head, Howard got his standard tech, and no body could make a shot. Ottis had the right opinion but the wrong team when he said that Boston was not that tough. Boston knows when to flop, when to flap their arms and jump into the defenders better than any other team. Forget the refs, they are a joke. They called their normal (?) game. We were beat both mentally and physically today. Even Ottis has contributed to our defeat. His trades, his comments about James and about Boston sure have helped. It sure was discouraging and upsetting to watch us get beat the way we did. Hopefully we can turn this thing around.

This team is soft and the trades made us softer….. Id rather be a rebuilding team then a top team with no shot at a title……SVG needs to be fired his strategies arent working and im sick of this soft team with no heart or hustle…. Ill always be a magic fan and I love having a pro team in orlando but something has to give here because the city of orlando has a lot riding on this arena and this team for management and owners to just let this losing happen… at this point i dont even think we could beat atlanta in a 7 game series which is really sad…… We need to make another trade this month before the deadline or we are done for.

seems to forget what was working during the course of a game. 1st half Howard couldn’t be stopped, and if not for the FT disparity, this game wouldn’t have been close. 2nd half, Hedo and Nelson decided they wanted to be the heroes, shooting (and missing) ill advised shots. When are these guys going to realize when their game is off, stop shooting, and dish it to Howard?

Don’t get me wrong Anderson is a very good 3pt shooter but outside of that he doesn’t do anything meaningful. JJ came into the league a 6’4 verison of Anderson and had to sit until he developed more to his game and now he is the only player that will drive to the bucket. Anderson has no post game his defense is TRASH and yet we overlook all of those flaws bc he can go streches where he knocks down 3’s against 2nd and 3rd string guys. Back when we went with Howard Bass and Lewis we didn’t miss a beat and it took some mysterious flu bug for him to even be thought of then we make the trade so he as to play. Its time to get J.Rich and Anderson out of here and bring in a wing and big man that can get it done

The Sixers have Evan Turner stuck on the bench and need to get AI-2 out. Now the expiring contract of Richardson and some combination of picks and prospects/players. Now not too sure what it what actually cost to get him, but they won’t get full value in terms of talent returning. This is a guy who keep keep Dwight in Orlando and would be a young talent who is an exceptional #2 option (behind Howard).

At least there, the Magic won!