The Morning After
Orlando Magic Agree to Sign Quentin Richardson: the Morning After
Yesterday, the Orlando Magic agreed to terms with free-agent swingman Quentin Richardson. Now, we're scanning the blogosphere for relevant reaction.
- Orlando Magic sign Quentin Richardson - OrlandoSentinel.com
Josh Robbins and Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel caught up with Magic coach Stan Van Gundy to get his take on Richardson. Here's what they learned:
"He adds a lot of things for us," Van Gundy said. "He brings us toughness, he's physical, can shoot it deep and can post up."
- Richardson to Orlando Means End for Barnes -- NBA FanHouse
Tim Povtak of NBA FanHouse reports the contract is for two years. He also spoke to Magic GM Otis Smith about the move, and asked what bearing the Richardson signing had on his decision to match--or not match--the Chicago Bulls' offer sheet to J.J. Redick:
"One has nothing to do with the other,'' Smith said.
In the Sentinel story linked above, Van Gundy says the same thing.
Eddy didn't manage to put together a comprehensive write-up for MagicBasketball.net in time for me to include it in this post, but on Twitter, he said, "Smith did well." Check MBN sometime later today for his full thoughts.
Orlando Magic Agree to Sign Chris Duhon: The Morning After
The Orlando Magic addressed their need for a long-term backup point guard yesterday when they reached an agreement to sign Chris Duhon to a four-year deal. Let's see what the blogosphere has to say about it:
Chris Duhon agrees to terms with the Magic - Ball Don't Lie
Kelly Dwyer of Ball Don't Lie calls the Duhon signing "a good acquisition." He explains:
But he's also a backup point guard, and often has the ability to work as one of this league's best in that particular realm. He's Chris Duhon, he's below average, and he'll be working for below the league average in terms of pay. Such a deal.
Dwyer, a Bulls fan who followed Duhon closely during his years with Chicago, cautions Magic fans to prepare themselves "for him to get all Chris Duhon-y on you, in an instant."
Orlando Magic sign Chris Duhon as their backup point guard - ProBasketballTalk
Kurt Helin doesn't like the signing for Orlando, as he believes Duhon is a downgrad from Jason Williams. His conclusion?
Thing is, the Magic did not just get better, especially if anything happens where he has to play extended minutes.
MAGIC: Denton: Magic Reach Agreement With Duhon
John Denton's write-up of the news for OrlandoMagic.com mentions that Duhon's contract will pay him $3.25 million next season. There's more useful information within.
Chris Duhon on Orlando Magic: We finally got together – Orlando Magic BasketBlog
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel got in touch with Duhon to discuss the signing.
- Duhon deal leaves less money for Magic to re-sign Matt Barnes – Orlando Magic BasketBlog
Josh Robbins, a colleague of Schmitz's at the Sentinel, explains how signing Duhon affects the Magic's chances of retaining Matt Barnes. In a word? "Adversely."
Orlando Magic 113, Boston Celtics 92: the Morning After
Here's a look around the internets for reaction to the Orlando Magic's 113-92 defeat of the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals.
- Orlando Magic beat the Boston Celtics with accurate 3-point shooting in Game 5 - OrlandoSentinel.com
Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel has more on the Magic's three-point attack, which was in full force in Game 5. Orlando made 13 of its 25 attempts from beyond the arc. This quote from Jameer Nelson, I believe, attests to the mindset of the whole team:
"We're playing more of our game now, getting out in transition and just attacking and staying on the attack and trying to do it for 48 minutes," Magic point guard Jameer Nelson said.
- NBA Playoffs, Celtics Magic Game 5: Magic find their form, pull within game of Celtics - ProBasketballTalk
Good buddy John Krolik recaps Game 5 between the Magic and Celtics for ProBasketballTalk.
- Do You Believe in Miracles? Magic Do
Tim Povtak of NBA FanHouse describes the Magic's locker room as "confident." He also has quotes from plenty of people involved in the game, including several that are complimentary of Magic center Dwight Howard.
- PBN | Staggered
Like me, Tony Mejia of ProBasketballNews does not believe the Celtics are the team under pressure now.
The series now feels like it has been turned on its head, but don't fall into the trap of saying they go into Boston facing no pressure, because as the top seed in a playoff series they've finally got a grip on, the fact is the Magic are still the ones playing for survival and looking to extend things to a seventh game Sunday night in Orlando.
- Whole New Series: Magic Take Game 5 - ESPN
Chris Sheridan and Zach Harper have some solid contributions to today's Daily DIme at ESPN. Sheridan talks about the Magic's improved play and attitude, while Harper touches on Rashard Lewis' solid night.
Orlando Magic 112, Atlanta Hawks 98: the Morning After
- Magic-Hawks, Game 2 - Frank Hughes - SI.com
The Magic's second-half performance in their 112-98 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 reminded Sports Illustrated's Frank Hughes of an Orlando team of a different vintage.
But in the second half, the Magic looked like the mid-90s Magic, when Shaquille O'Neal dominated the middle and Nick Anderson, Dennis Scott and Penny Hardaway were launching from the perimeter.
He adds that, based on the Hawks' body language during Orlando's second-half surge, Atlanta is "going to need more than a change of venue" in order to get back into this series.
- PBN | No charity
Tony Mejia of Pro Basketball News makes this bold declaration:
If [Dwight] Howard knocks down free throws at anywhere near the rate he drained them at on Thursday (13-for-18), they're going to open up Orlando's new Amway Center by hanging a championship banner come late October.
- Jameer Nelson of the Orlando Magic has stepped up to arguably become the MVP of NBA playoffs - OrlandoSentinel.com
After yet another spectacular performance by Jameer Nelson, George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel asks, "[H]as there been a point guard more important than Nelson in these playoffs?"
Orlando Magic 114, Atlanta Hawks 71: the Morning After
- Fast Breaks: Magic-Hawks, Game 1 - Paul Forrester - SI.com
Paul Forrester of Sports Illustrated breaks down how the Orlando Magic dismantled the Atlanta Hawks last night, and makes some excellent points. What really caught my eye was his conclusion:
But let's be honest -- Orlando is built to win a title and is playing like it. The Magic may be technically the No. 2 seed, but in watching them easily handle the first five games of these playoffs, the Eastern title goes through Orlando.
- Recap: Orlando Magic 114, Atlanta Hawks 71 | Magic Basketball
Eddy details just how jumper-happy the Hawks' offense got in the second quarter, in contrast to the Magic's crisper offense.
- NBA Playoffs, Magic Hawks Game 1: Orlando beats Atlanta so bad that Cleveland gets the message - ProBasketballTalk
Kurt Helin of ProBasketballTalk calls last night's Magic victory "THE statement game of the playoffs." Their blowout win is a message to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he writes.
- The Hawks lose Game 1 by 43 points, and it seemed worse | Mark Bradley
Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution says the Hawks really shouldn't be so surprised that they lost in such a lopsided way.
"This was uncharacteristic of us," [Joe] Johnson said afterward, but it was perfectly in character. This is a team that has played 13 road games the past three postseasons and has lost 11 of them, nine by at least 19 points. Even if this was the most egregious, it was simply the continuation of a regrettable pattern.
- Here’s the clueless Atlanta side… – Orlando Magic BasketBlog
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel is incredulous at some of the comments the Hawks made after the game. He zings Josh Smith, who complained about the officiating yet later conceded that the officials weren't the sole reason Atlanta lost, pretty good right here:
Yeah, a few more calls here and there, and you’d have lost by 37.
Orlando Magic 90, Charlotte Bobcats 86: the Afternoon After
- NBA Playoffs: Nelson carries Magic to 3-0 series lead - ProBasketballTalk
John Krolik of ProBasketballTalk illustrates the extent to which Jameer Nelson carried the Orlando Magic in yesterday's win against the Charlotte Bobcats.
Jameer Nelson: 32 points, 12-21 shooting, 5-9 from 3, 3 assists, 4 steals, 0 turnovers
Rest of team: 58 points, 19-49 shooting, 4-21 from 3, 11 assists, 3 steals, 19 turnovers
Just to remind you, Orlando made it to the finals last year without this guy. Crazy.
- Recap: Orlando Magic 90, Charlotte Bobcats 86 | Magic Basketball
"Mercy" is just about all Eddy can say about Nelson's night.
- Orlando Magic win 90-86, go up 3-0 on the Charlotte Bobcats - Rufus on Fire
David Arnott of Rufus on Fire has drawn this conclusion about the Magic:
If we've learned anything this series, it's that the Magic are probably equal to the Cavaliers -- when Dwight Howard is in the game. Without Howard, and I'd be surprised if the +/- data didn't confirm this, they're essentially equal to the Bobcats, who aren't pushovers, but have never been title contenders this season. Howard's just that good, but it's also a testament to the Magic's depth that Marcin Gortat can step right in and keep the Magic competitive on the road in front of a frenzied crowd.
For what it's worth, the Magic post an efficiency differential of 1.27 with Howard off the floor. The Bobcats, as a team, had a 1.53 efficiency differential this season. So Arnott is about right about that, really. Thing is, Orlando's 10.82 efficiency differential with Howard on the floor trumps the Cavaliers' 7.31 efficiency differential.
- Jameer Nelson is Magic’s MVP – Orlando Magic BasketBlog
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel included this exciting item in his post-game blog entry.
I asked NBA Commish David Stern about Orlando hosting the 2012 NBA All-Star Game. He more or less inferred that he can’t make the announcement; that’s the big show for Orlando’s civic leaders and the Magic to make. "Be patient," he said.
Orlando Magic 92, Charlotte Bobcats 77: the Morning After
- Recap: Orlando Magic 92, Charlotte Bobcats 77 | Magic Basketball
Eddy came away impressed with Orlando Magic guard Vince Carter's pick-and-roll performance against the Charlotte Bobcats last night, particularly in the third quarter.
Carter was involved in the 2/5 pick and roll with [Marcin] Gortat or the 1/2 pick and roll with [Jameer] Nelson on almost every possession and the results speak for themselves.
- Carter, Howard Come Through in Game Two Win
Philip Rossman-Reich of Orlando Magic daily agrees, saying "everything began to slowly open up for Orlando offensively" once Carter decided to go into attack mode.
- Orlando Magic dispatch Charlotte Bobcats 92-77; Magic lead series 2-0 - Rufus on Fire
David Arnott of Rufus on Fire pretty nicely summarizes how the game went for Charlotte.
In the end, very little went well for the Cats, as they were outplayed from the tip -- not dramatically so, at any particular moment, but decisively over time.
Orlando Magic 98, Cleveland Cavaliers 92: The Morning After
- MAGIC: Denton: Magic-Cavaliers Postgame Analysis (Full)
John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com reports that Magic coach Stan Van Gundy wasn't impressed with the way his team played, despite overcoming a 16-point deficit to win on the road.
Huffed Van Gundy: ``We got a win, but nothing else. It was just a bad basketball game from our standpoint. But we won, so I’m not going to complain. What else do I take from it? Nothing.’’
- Not Much To Take Out of Magic's Win in "Potential Eastern Conference Finals Preview"
You know a team's having a good year when its bloggers get worried when it doesn't blow opponents out. Philip Rossman-Reich of Orlando Magic Daily writes, "The bigger concern for Orlando at the moment is the recent stretch of play. The Magic have played well enough to win but have not dominated."
- Recap: Magic 98, Cavs 92 (Or, I’m about ready for actual victories now) | Cavs: The Blog
John Krolik of Cavs: the Blog came away believing that Antawn Jamison's ability to score inside could be pivotal if the Magic meet the Cavs in the playoffs. "If he can score posting up opposing fours and threes," he says, "it will be a way for the Cavs to get points without having to deal with Dwight Howard’s ability to defend the paint."
- Rest vs. rust is one thing, the way the Cavs finished Sunday was another: Windhorst Beat Blog | cleveland.com
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown's decision not to bring back leading scorers Mo Williams and Jamison in the game's waning minutes, with victory still within reach, confused beat writer Brian Windhorst.
You will see the Cavs calling timeouts and playing the so-called "steal/foul game" in the last 90 seconds of games in the preseason. I've sat through numerous preseason games just wishing they would run out the clock and instead watched timeouts and 3-for-2 trades and stuff. Then in a regular season against the top rival in the East the Cavs just folded the tent.
[...]
When I asked Brown about it after the game he admitted in less than two seconds that it was a mistake. That sort of leaves nothing else to say.
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