What They're Saying Before the Orlando Magic Face Off Against the Miami Heat

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy to Dwyane Wade: Go West, young man. Please!
Brian Schmitz states how the Orlando Magic will have a difficult task of trying to contain Dwyane Wade in tonight's game, a player that has historically given the team plenty of nightmares.

Van Gundy once coached Wade in Miami and now has been on the receiving end in Orlando, watching D-Wade dismantle his defense.

Wade scored 50 points in a game last season against the Magic and averaged 38 points in four meetings, shooting 52.6 percent.

He averaged 40 points and shot 66.7 percent playing in just two games against Orlando in the 2007-2008 season --- Van Gundy's first season in Orlando --- with his high being 48 points.

Wade also gets to the basket at will. He shot a whopping 73 free throws against the Magic the past two seasons in six games, making 54.

The stat that Van Gundy can live with: Wade is 1-5 against the Magic in those outings, the Heat 1-7 overall vs. their former coach.

Heat taking note of Jason Williams' revival
Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel, arguably one of the best beat writers in the NBA, notes how the Miami Heat are taking note of Jason Williams' re-emergence after he sat out the season last year.

"They get guys that fit that system, and Jason has always been a very clever and efficient pick-and-roll player," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Now he's getting the ideal situation for a pick-and-roll player. You get a dominant big man, who can roll and catch and finish, and every single other player has 3-point range with a green light. As we know, Jason's a dynamic passer and he fits perfectly in their system."

Orlando Magic notes: Howard's foul troubles have hampered the team's offense
Just to reiterate, in case people are curious.

Magic General Manager Otis Smith said after Sunday's game in Toronto that he still had no plans to add another point guard to the roster.

Barring injuries, Smith is of the mind to weather any storm until the return of all-star PG Jameer Nelson. He had arthroscopic knee surgery Nov. 18 and could be back sooner than the four-to-six week prognosis.

Orlando Magic PG Jameer Nelson says meniscus tear was more extensive
An update on Jameer Nelson's progress.

Orlando Magic PG Jameer Nelson said Tuesday that the tear in his lateral meniscus in his left knee was more extensive than doctors previously thought.

"It was a little bigger than they thought," Nelson said. "It doesn't make any difference if you had to go in and fix it. Don't worry. I'll still have my hops."

Dr. Craig Mintzer, the club's team doctor, performed Nelson's surgery on Nov. 18. [...]

Nelson said he started electrical stimulation treatments on Tuesday.

Adonal Foyle is progressing in his rehabilitation from knee surgery
UPDATE: Josh Robbins has news on Adonal Foyle's progress.

Wade's Free Agency Could End With Dwight in Orlando
UPDATE 2: Tim Povtak of NBA FanHouse reveals this nugget that will surely intrigue Magic fans for the remainder of the season.

Miami's Dwyane Wade just raised the intrigue -- and opened a world of possibilities -- over his pending free agency when he was asked Wednesday afternoon who he really would like to play with in the NBA.

Wade will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, allowing him to play anywhere he wants.

"If I could pick one player in the league today to play with – and most people think I'd say LeBron James – I would pick Dwight (Howard)," Wade told FanHouse Wednesday after practice at Amway Arena. "I'd love for that to happen at some point. Dwight is already close right here in Orlando. People who say it couldn't happen (us playing on the same team), they don't know. I've learned in this league that anything is possible."