It's always a pleasure to chat Orlando Magic basketball with Eddy Rivera, and their upcoming Eastern Conference Finals series against the Boston Celtics gives me another chance to do just that. I've already visited MagicBasketball.net to answer his questions. Now, it's his turn at OPP.

Ben Q. Rock: What did you take away from Boston's defeat of the Cavaliers? What bearing does that series have on the one against the Magic?

Eddy Rivera: The main thing I took away, more than anything else, is that the Boston Celtics are playing like championship contenders after stumbling along during the regular season. I know that's a "no, duh" answer but it's worth pointing out. And I've said this several times on Twitter but I find it ironic that this year the Cleveland Cavaliers built their team to beat the Orlando Magic, yet lost to the Celtics. Last year for those that don't remember, the Cavaliers built their team to beat the Celtics, yet lost to the Magic. Go figure.

Boston's victory over Cleveland simply re-affirms that they're a legitimate threat to Orlando and should be respected. Winning a title is never easy and, in a way, I think it's great that the Magic will be tested against the Celtics, a team that won it all in 2008, is fully healthy right now, and will cause some matchup problems as they've had in the past. Orlando has the chance to beat a former champion in the postseason at full strength. If the Magic are as good as everyone believes them to be, they'll rise to the challenge.

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Orlando Pinstriped Post Photo / Bruce Maddox

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To longtime readers of this site, Eddy Rivera needs no introduction. For over a year he posted regularly here, until moving on to the TrueHoop Network to launch MagicBasketball.net last month. Here, we've exchanged emails to preview the Magic's upcoming playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, as we did with the last round against the Charlotte Bobcats. Our exchange produced this q-and-a.

Ben Q. Rock: The Magic swept their series against the league's best defensive team, while the Hawks needed 7 games to dispatch a scrappy outfit missing its franchise player. How much do you read into those circumstances when forecasting this series? It seems like Atlanta doesn't have much reason for optimism here.

Eddy Rivera: I'm a little surprised the Atlanta Hawks didn't take care of the Milwaukee Bucks sooner than expected. After the first two games in Atlanta, it seemed like the Hawks were poised to end the series in four or five games but give credit to the Bucks for being, as you stated, a scrappy outfit and not giving up when they had every right to do so. Atlanta does struggle on the road (19-22 during the regular season) so maybe that was the issue, when trying to ascertain why they struggled, at times, against Milwaukee.

As for the Orlando Magic, it still boggles my mind that they swept the Charlotte Bobcats with almost little to no production from Dwight Howard. But if you look closely at the numbers, it's pretty clear why the Magic were able to accomplish the feat. Look no further than Jameer Nelson. Simple as that. Nelson was a man possessed against the Bobcats and the main reason why, despite Howard's foul troubles and Vince Carter's struggles offensively, Orlando was able to sweep Charlotte.

With all that being said, does that mean the Magic will sweep the Hawks? Most likely not. Atlanta is a very good team and they should present some challenges for Orlando. However, the reason why the Magic will probably defeat the Hawks and go on to the Eastern Conference Finals isn't because of how each team performed in the first round. It'll be because Orlando is a nightmare matchup for Atlanta, and has been for a while.

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To longtime readers of this site, Eddy Rivera needs no introduction. For over a year he posted regularly here, until moving on to the TrueHoop Network to launch MagicBasketball.net less than a week ago. Eddy and I exchanged emails to preview the Orlando Magic's playoff series against the Charlotte Bobcats, which produced this q-and-a. I think I speak for Eddy when I say we both hope to collaborate again soon.

Ben Q. Rock: You asked me in the first part of this exchange about the Magic's rotation, and I responded that I expect Brandon Bass, not Ryan Anderson, to get the call as Rashard Lewis' backup at power forward against Charlotte. In the most recent meeting, Bass played 17 minutes--some of them alongside Lewis, who shifted to small forward--while Anderson logged a DNP-CD, which I suspect has a lot to do with Charlotte's deadline-day acquisition of Tyrus Thomas. Bass is a better physical match for Thomas than Anderson is. But how do you see this dynamic playing out in this series?

Eddy Rivera: I think it could go either way, to be honest.

It might, ultimately, be determined by what the Orlando Magic need on the court at that moment in time. I know that the debate between Anderson and Bass has been a hot topic among Magic fans all year and people have strong feelings for one player or the other, but the point is that they both can help Orlando in this series. You already mentioned how Bass can matchup with Thomas off the bench but if the Magic need scoring as well as someone not named Rashard Lewis that can stretch the floor at power forward, and I suspect they'll need it at some point, Anderson might get the call in that scenario. You and I both know what Anderson is capable of on offense and ever since he was re-inserted into the rotation late in the regular season, it seems like he can't miss a shot sometimes.

I guess my answer to the question jives with head coach Stan Van Gundy's mentality for these type of things -- it'll come down to the matchups.

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When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, there's no lack of coverage for one of the most successful franchises in the history of professional sports. Forum Blue & Gold is one of those outlets that covers the Lake Show, an excellent site that was ran by Kurt Helin for five years before stepping down to write for NBCSports.com's basketball blog, ProBasketballTalk. Taking over is Darius Soriano, who has done a great job of maintaining everything that's made FB&G a go-to source for all things Lakers.

A few days ago, I was able to ask Soriano a few questions to preview tomorrow's game between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Before the season, the APBRmetrics community was intrigued by the swap of Trevor Ariza for Ron Artest because it created an opportunity to conduct a real-life efficiency vs. usage experiment. Artest has silenced concerns that he would use up too many possessions, given that his usage rate (16.5%) is - by far - the lowest it's ever been in his career. Even though he's not as efficient on offense as Ariza was in a similar role last year, there's no denying Artest's impact on defense (I've read your glowing reviews lately). What are your thoughts on what Artest has brought to the Lakers?

I've been very happy with the Artest acquisition.  On offense he's not the slasher that Ariza was nor is he the above the rim finisher that can make one of those types of plays that really gets the crowd going.  But he's much steadier and has a much more well rounded game.  I think that he'll continue to grow in the Lakers' sets and learn the nuance of the Triangle more over the next several seasons and that he'll be even better on offense over the life of his contract.  I have been slightly less than impressed with his post game - I thought he'd be better on the block in a lot of our sets - but he passes well from the post and off the dribble and that play making part of his game has been a pleasant surprise for me.  I also love his ability to make post entry passes, which to me, is an underrated trait for a player.  As a fan of a team that has a marquee big man, you understand that having a player who is not a good post entry passer leads to possessions where one (or more) of your better players don't get the opportunities that are available to them.  But, Artest has been very good on that end and I think it's helped our big men to have an offensive threat that can create for himself while also still create for them.

But his real impact has been on defense.  Last season, the Lakers were, statistically, one of the better defensive teams in the NBA using their strong side zone scheme.  However, this season they are number one in defensive efficiency and I think Ron has a lot to do with that.  His ability to guard the opposing team's best wing player , and do it without much help, gives the opposition's offense fits while also giving Kobe more of a breather on defense.  Most fans saw how Artest pestered and bullied Carmelo last weekend and that is something that the Lakers could not do last season with the personnel on hand.  So, when you combine his stellar defense and his well rounded offensive game, I think Ron has been a great addition.

More after the jump.

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DallasBasketball.com is an independent NBA team website that covers the Dallas Mavericks and the man behind the madness is Mike Fisher, an award-winning sports journalist that has been around the block (spending a decade as a columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, for example) and who also covers the Dallas Cowboys, among other things. DallasBasketball.com is a must-read for people who want to get their fix on the Mavs because it blends old-fashion reporting with humor.

Because he's in Dallas, Fisher reported 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend and described the experience as "a breathtaking spectacle." Coming from a man who's covered 16 Super Bowls, that's high praise. Seriously. Fisher's resume as a writer is impeccable.

A few days ago, I was able to ask Fisher a few questions to preview tonight's game between the Orlando Magic and the Dallas Mavericks.

I know some people think that, unless Caron Butler plays at or near an All-Star level, the Dallas Mavericks' acquisition of him and Brendan Haywood doesn't do much to dramatically improve the team. What are your thoughts on that?

I think most people with an understanding of the cap and the future – combined with the on-court stuff – see that this is a steal for Dallas. They are giving up a disgruntled Josh Howard (who recently just played 11 minutes in a game from the back of the rotation) for two starters … Josh was going to be a summer trade chip.

… now Caron can be that (even better) chip if they want to sell him in combination with The DUST Chip (Dampier’s super-instant-expiring) for a huge free-agent sign-and-trade. … and contractually, Haywood now has his Bird Rights here so Dallas has its center of the present/future locked in. In terms of where Dallas was a year ago without these moves (and this is including the Marion acquisition), the Mavs have actually CUT costs!

And on the court, it’s a major win. The Mavs moved out a Josh Howard who was out of gas here and get in Butler the sort of wing who, athletically, this franchise has pretty much never had. … plus a center who is top-notch defensively and sound offensively … plus the loss of Gooden in the trade might boomerang back to them.

In the last two major trades, Dallas will likely end up having moved out (in terms of actual front-of-rotation-level players) Josh Howard … while moving in Marion, Butler, Haywood, Gooden, rookie Roddy Beaubois. The whole thing sets Dallas up to continue to win 50-a-year at a pace matched only by the Spurs … and to maintain that level, plus flexibility, in the future.

More after the jump.

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With the NBA trade deadline here one minute, gone the next, one of the major trades that was consummated last night involved the Cleveland Cavaliers acquiring Antawn Jamison from the Washington Wizards in a three-team deal. Rather than analyze the move from the Cavs' perspective, I wanted to address a question that has floated around for a while. Even before Jamison was acquired.

How does this affect the Orlando Magic?

To answer that question, I went ahead and sought the wisdom of John Krolik of Cavs: The Blog and Tom Haberstroh of Hoopdata. One is a Cleveland Cavaliers' expert and the other is a statistical analyst.

Each individual provided his opinion on the Cavaliers' acquisition of Jamison, analyzed whether or not it would have made more sense for Cleveland to acquire Amar'e Stoudemire, and more.

Antawn Jamison to the Cleveland Cavaliers, is it good move or bad move? Hypothetically speaking, would have acquiring Amar'e Stoudemire have been the better trade for the Cavs?

John Krolik: It's an upgrade, to be certain. Hickson looked great against you guys, but he's been the team's weak link in the rotation overall. Jamison represents a significant offensive upgrade, and should mesh with Shaq and Varejao well offensively. He's such a versatile player on the offensive end, and he's a guy the Cavs can trust with the ball. Hypothetically, I'd have like Amar'e better, but Woj reports the Cavs' best possible offer was turned down, which makes it a moot point for me. Hey, I think LeBron and Dwight would be great together.

Tom Haberstroh: I have my concerns on the offensive end. Jamison's perimeter numbers are very underwhelming especially from just inside the three-point line. He consistently rates as one of the poorest long two shooters at the position and yet he still takes four per game year in and year out. I'm not sure that bodes well for the pick-and-pop nor do I think the Cavs offense needs another guy who thinks the long two is one of his best shots.

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John Krolik is, without a doubt, one of my favorite writers in the blogosphere and Cavs: The Blog is a must-read item for people who want to get the best coverage of the Cleveland Cavaliers, with all due respect to Cavs beat writer Brian Windhorst of The Plain Dealer, who is one of the top beat writers in the NBA.

Not only does Krolik do excellent work at his site but he also writes for SLAM ONLINE and NBC Sports' ProBasketballTalk. And in the past, Krolik has written for FreeDarko. Impressed? Heck, I am.

A few days ago, I was able to ask Krolik a few questions to preview tonight's game between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

I have to admit, owning League Pass Broadband has allowed me to catch up on the Cleveland Cavaliers here and there. As such, watching LeBron James defy the law of physics, make three-point 30-foot jump shots, and transcend the sport of basketball is a guilty pleasure. What will stop James from winning MVP awards every year, aside from the voters getting bored and picking somebody else?

LeBron's been ridiculous, and with age finally catching up to Kobe a little bit he looks like the runaway favorite to win another MVP award. (Kobe's game-winners and "playing through pain" mystique could come into play if he finishes strong and the Lakers are up there for the best record, though.) If he doesn't win the title this season, I think voters are going to start looking for ways not to give it to him. In terms of pure production, Chris Paul could have a chance to out-PER LeBron one year, but the Hornets would need to have a resurgence. If the Thunder are legit contenders next year, Durant will be a very sexy pick. Never count out Kobe, especially if he's healthy all of next season. 

 

I think LeBron will deserve the MVP for a long time, but if you're not on the league's best team a lot of funny things can happen in the voting. And there are so many variables that go into having the best regular-season record. The season after Steve Nash's 2 MVP seasons was probably his best one, but there was no chance he was going to get it that year. 

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Dennis Scott is a man who needs no introduction to Orlando Magic fans. He's 5th in franchise history in games played, 6th in minutes played, 1st in three-pointers made, and 3rd in three-point field goal percentage. While in a Magic uniform, he set an NBA record with 11 three-pointers made in a single game, which Kobe Bryant and Donyell Marshall have since broken. In his 446 games with Orlando, he made 5 or more three-pointers a franchise-best 49 times.

Beyond the statistical feats, though, is the simple fact that he was a key cog on the best team in franchise history, a role player who complemented superstars Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway exceptionally well. His frequent three-point field goals, and Magic P.A. man Paul Porter's subsequent bellowing of his trademark "3-D! From Downtown!" catchphrase, ignited the Orlando Arena crowd.

Dennis is currently an analyst for NBA TV and appears with Brent Barry and Kyle Montgomery on The Jump, an interactive program that broadcasts each Tuesday at 1 PM on NBA.com and again Tuesday afternoons at 5 PM on NBA TV. He also works as the Atlanta Hawks' radio color analyst and runs a consulting firm. You can follow him on Twitter @3Deezy.

Last Friday afternoon, I spoke with Dennis over the phone to discuss the Magic and preview their game against the Los Angeles Lakers this evening.

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