Orlando Magic News for May 13th: More Respect the Magic, a Look at Their Starters, and More

Tania Ganguli of the Orlando Sentinel empties her notebook of conversations about the Orlando Magic she had with several national media types. The disrespect card? Maybe Orlando ought to discard it. One of her observations:

Everybody is extremely impressed with the Magic. I opened the interviews by asking if the Magic look like the best team in the East. The majority of reporters and analysts replied that the Magic look like the best team in the league, not just the East. A few thought it was too soon to draw conclusions about their status within the Conference.

NBA FanHouse assembled a panel to discuss the Magic. The result? This video, which clocks in at just over 5 minutes.

Eddy continues his evaluations of Magic players' postseason performances with a look at the starters. Here's part of his take on Jameer Nelson:

Nelson is playing with a focus and determination that has completely carried down to the rest of his teammates, as they are each playing with a single-mindedness that has made Orlando look like an army of Terminators right now. Ruthless and efficient.

Here's Tim Povtak's update from today's Magic practice. The mood was light afterward, he says, but Van Gundy "ran a detailed and physical practice Thursday before all the foolishness began," he says.

Neil Paine of Basketball-Reference checks the numbers to see which position, or positions, are most important when it comes to succeeding in the playoffs.

Ganguli also reports that Magic coach Stan Van Gundy will watch tonight's game between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers live on TV, which he doesn't usually do.

Fox Sports Florida has video of a remarkable trick shot Jason Williams made after practice today.