Orlando’s rise to the top of the East. It’s like… Magic
With one more win than Boston (in three more games) heading into the weekend, we let a commenter explain how it’s happening.
It’s fun to see a voice from our commenters section seize the big SLAMonline stage. With Orlando’s surprise ascension to early season Eastern Conference powerhouse, it makes perfect sense to have a surprise Friday afternoon post about them. See, it all makes sense DON’T QUESTION ME -Sam
By Dan Ilika
One dream one soul,
One prize one goal.
Although quoting Queen lyrics can be, well, a little lame when it comes to the context of basketball, it seems kind of fitting in a case like this.
Yes, it is a reference to the Orlando Magic, but there is more to it than meets the eye.
Despite the relative successes of the O’Neal-Hardaway-Anderson era, there hasn’t been much to smile about in the Orlando-area outside of Disney World. But all of that may have changed seemingly over night.
With Grant Hill’s mammoth contract coming off the books this past off-season, it seemed as though it was time for the dormant franchise to finally make some moves to get itself to the front of the pack in the Eastern Conference. And while the signing of Rashard Lewis brought with it some scrutiny from fans and the media alike, he seemed to be the scoring punch Orlando needed to take the next step; next it was time to tear off the band-aid that was Brian Hill so this young team could spread it proverbial wings and fly.
Enter Billy Donovan.
Exit Billy Donovan.
In a matter of just two days the team went from making a stir to not even a murmur.
Even with Stan Van Gundy taking over the reigns as head coach, it seemed to many that it was going to be another long year for that other team in Florida. But through the first 20 games of the season (13 of those being on the road), the team has compiled a rather respectable 16-4 record, good for second in the Eastern Conference. So what’s their secret?
It’s a kind of magic.
When reflecting back on the aforementioned song lyrics, it is rather obvious that all NBA teams share the dream and the goal of winning a championship, but only one team can hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy each June. To do that it takes soul, something that many NBA teams simply don’t have. And from the blue-collar coaching of Van Gundy to the playful nature of guys like Dwight Howard, it seems as though this team has something special.
Did I forget to mention the talent?
While many critics out there didn’t know how well Lewis and fellow forward Hedo Turkoglu would mesh, let alone Lewis and Howard, things have seemed to work out pretty well thus far, with Howard putting up MVP numbers like stickers to backboards and Lewis and Turkoglu contributing rather respectable numbers while splitting time at the forward spots. In fact, Orlando’s threesome is averaging 60.8 of the team’s 104-points per game, with Howard and Turkoglu putting up career numbers across the board.
Despite the fact that, only 20 games into the season, it is far too early to make any real predictions when it comes to such a young and inexperienced team, one thing can be can be certain, and that’s the proof that sometimes all it takes is just a kind of magic. Move over Golden State, we just may have another Cinderella on our hands.
47 Responses to “Orlando’s rise to the top of the East. It’s like… Magic”
Dec.7 at 3:07 pm
Ken says:
Magic are goooood
Dec.7 at 3:12 pm
white hot eboy says:
Who is Dan? Never seen his name around the way. Different screenname perhaps?
Dec.7 at 3:19 pm
Cheryl says:
I’m a believer. I’m a big fan of Stan “The Man” and knew this team would be special as soon as I heard he got the gig. As long as they continue having fun (and you can see it when they play) the sky’s the limit for them. I even think they can beat the “Big Three” if they meet in the later rounds of the playoffs, since they are a younger team. Don’t be surprised to see a Magic/Spurs finals. I wonder what the ratings will be with that series.
Dec.7 at 3:22 pm
white hot eboy says:
Cheryl, I love you lady, but comparing you to George Bush was never something I thought I’d do, flip flopper.
Dec.7 at 3:32 pm
Ken says:
I’m still not sure if the Magic could beat Boston or even the Pistons in the ECF, and it’s even less likely they can beat the Spurs/Suns.
Dec.7 at 3:39 pm
dma says:
dwight > kg. pierce > lewis. allen = turk. nelson > rondo. and magic’s bench > boston’s bench. detroit on the other hand….
Dec.7 at 3:45 pm
Cheryl says:
Hey, my SVG fandom comes from the Heat, so I’m really not flip flopping. And I love you too, sweetie.
Dec.7 at 3:51 pm
Cheryl says:
Yeah, Detroit will give them problems, if they’re running on all “pistons”. They’re a well-oiled machine when things are right. But, I’ll take SVG over Flip any day of the week. If that’s the X-factor, then the Magic gets the edge. And the pg position will be troublesome for the Magic agains both the Pistons and the Spurs.
Dec.7 at 3:54 pm
white hot eboy says:
I’m going down with the ship, Titanic-style.
Dec.7 at 3:55 pm
riggs says:
someone needs to start banning mathematical equations
Dec.7 at 4:26 pm
Cheryl says:
E, just be like the Kobe fan, recognize the flaws but love them anyway. That’s what I’m doing. Doesn’t prevent me from enjoying watching other teams, right?
Dec.7 at 4:27 pm
Cheryl says:
Monogamy was never my thing…
Dec.7 at 4:28 pm
white hot eboy says:
Well….damn.
Dec.7 at 4:38 pm
white hot eboy says:
“Close the door
Let me give you what you’ve been waiting for
Baby I got so much love to give
I wanna give it all to you”
Dec.7 at 4:39 pm
white hot eboy says:
You motherfuc*ers don’t know nothing about Teddy.
Dec.7 at 4:39 pm
Cheryl says:
I’m sorry, boo. You were expecting fidelity?
Dec.7 at 4:40 pm
Cheryl says:
Hey, I knew Teddy before the chair.
Dec.7 at 4:40 pm
Permaculture says:
Hey, I like that math equation–succinct. Just may be accurate-KG is a vet tho. Detroit puzzles me-last year they folded and now they lack Ben. Cheryl: i’m with you about SVG over Flip. Eboy: sorry about that ship of yours. They might need a new deck chair.
Dec.7 at 4:41 pm
Dan says:
Eboy, it was me!
Dec.7 at 4:47 pm
white hot eboy says:
The School Boy? It can’t be.
Dec.7 at 4:48 pm
white hot eboy says:
Teddy before the chair is deep old-school, Cheryl.
Dec.7 at 4:48 pm
Dan says:
Yes sir! What do you think? Be honest. . .
Dec.7 at 4:52 pm
white hot eboy says:
The Queen reference is fantastic.
Dec.7 at 4:52 pm
white hot eboy says:
The Cinderella one is a little bit of a stretch.
Dec.7 at 4:53 pm
white hot eboy says:
The piece itself is presented well.
Dec.7 at 4:56 pm
Dan says:
So do you think I am worthy, Eboy?
Dec.7 at 4:58 pm
white hot eboy says:
Thinking they will get out of the East this year is a BIG stretch (not that you said it). Three problems they have that can be exploited in the playoffs
1) Dwight’s lack of offensive skill can be taken completley away with constant doubles (similar to Shaq over his career)
2) Jameer HAS to prove he can hold the team together in pressure situations since Arroyo and my boy Dooling CAN NOT be relied upon &
3) Van Jeremy is a TERRIBLE in-game playoff coach, his run in 05 with the Heat ended against the Pistons due to his lack of adjustments and poor play calling late-game.
Dec.7 at 5:00 pm
white hot eboy says:
Worthy of what? A column? That would be cool for you. Or worthy of acceptance by the wise and all powerful Eboy? I already like your inane banter with me so that’s a start already.
Dec.7 at 5:03 pm
Dan says:
Thanks my friend. . . I am trying to get on the Slam team, so I was looking for some approval from the all powerful Eboy.
Dec.7 at 5:05 pm
Cheryl says:
Oooh, I disagree with your analysis of Van Jeremy’s play calling. How about players breaking plays that are called? I saw that on several occasions during the Pistons series. And DWade that year, was susceptible to baiting if I remember correctly. The whispers was that it was Van Gundy’s fault that they got beat in that game, but I beg to differ.
Dec.7 at 5:07 pm
Cheryl says:
And I’m betting he can’t wait for a rematch/redemption with his new team.
Dec.7 at 5:08 pm
white hot eboy says:
Cheryl, it wasn’t whispers. They were full blown calling out. He had Damon handling the ball late in game 7 and he blew it by getting trapped and throwing it away not once but twice in the the last two minutes of that game. Damon doesn’t have the ability to break plays, so it was on Stan, no one else.
Dec.7 at 5:13 pm
Cheryl says:
Because when he would put the ball in Wade’s hands, Chauncey and Rip would bait him into trying to prove his badness. Granted, Damon is no JWill, but I won’t put that series all on his head.
Dec.7 at 5:16 pm
Cheryl says:
SVG’s not Damon’s. Damon was the weak spot of that team.
Dec.7 at 5:18 pm
white hot eboy says:
Cheryl as terrible as it sounds, Damon would be a welcome shooter on this current squad.
Dec.7 at 5:26 pm
Cheryl says:
I agree with you there. Riley gave away his shooters. I bet he wishes he could have the summer back.
Dec.7 at 5:41 pm
Mom & Dad says:
Dan…we’re proud of you my boy!
Dec.7 at 7:04 pm
white hot eboy says:
That’s really cool, Dan.
Dec.7 at 7:28 pm
albie1kenobi says:
what was the reason why riles let all them key shooters go this summer? what were the heats looking for?
Dec.7 at 9:36 pm
Cheryl says:
i’m not sure anymore, albie. riley said he wanted to move away from one dimensional players and get players who could fill several roles. plus, he really tried hard to get mo williams and i think he wanted to clear the space. finally, i don’t think the team viewed kapono as being worth 4 mil a year. hindsight is 20/20 though, isn’t it?
Dec.7 at 10:36 pm
Jukai says:
Good timing to write this article now that Indiana sorta owned them.
Dec.8 at 12:17 am
Ben Osborne says:
Was that the first “Mom & Dad” comment in slamonline history?
Dec.8 at 6:15 am
Hubert says:
@ eboy and cheryl, that’s how WRITING is done. hope you learned a lesson the next time sam asks you guys to write another one for slamonline.
Dec.8 at 10:14 am
white hot eboy says:
Thanks Hubert. I’ll be waiting on your posted piece for a proper example of how it should be done.
Dec.8 at 2:47 pm
Cheryl says:
Who names their kid “Hubert” anyway?
Dec.8 at 6:11 pm
ian spalding says:
Well done you work hard m8
Dec.9 at 1:04 am
D-Mac says:
GO MAGIC, they have been my team for years, they deserve a title