Series Preview: Orlando vs. Toronto
Dwight vs. depth
By Matt Caputo
Both Orlando and Toronto are ripe to make an impact in the playoffs. For the Magic, it’s the first time since the era of Shaq, Penny and Nick Anderson that they’ve had a really lethal squad going into the playoffs. For the Raptors, who made their first playoff appearance in five seasons last year, it’s a chance to prove they can be an elite team in the eastern conference.
The Raptors come in at 41-41, six less wins than last season. However, players like Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon improved tremendously and Jamario Moom coming out of nowhere gave the Raptor an extra ounce of intensity all season. Toronto’s deep roster has been their most valuable weapon all season. The improved play of T.J. Ford and Andrea Bargani has kept the Raptors dangerous and a franchise on the rise.
The Magic on the other hand, obviously had a tremendous year out of Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis emerged as a perfect second option that allowed Jameer Nelson to distribute more. Hedo Turkoglu continued his reign as one of the most overlooked players in the NBA.
FRONT COURT: The frontcourt advantage goes easily to the Orlando Magic. Howard has been the East’s most dominant big man for at least two seasons, Lewis compliments him very well, and their deep bench includes veteran bigs like Adonal Foyle, Pat Garrity and Tony Battie. In the frontcourt, Bosh will have to do a lot of the work himself as Moon is inexperienced in the playoffs and Rasho Nesterovic is only beginning to play to his potential.
BACK COURT: Some might see Jameer Nelson and the Magic as being stronger in the back court than Toronto, but the edge should go to the Raptors who usually have a number of guards involved. Besides Ford and Calderon, Anthony Parker is a straight-up competitor and should help compliment the two lead guards. While the Magic have a nice stash of guards on paper, J.J. Reddick, Maurice Evans and Carlos Arroyo aren’t nearly as utilized as Calderon and Carlos Delfino are off the bench.
BENCH: Once again, the Raptors should have the advantage off the bench. They have a number of guys who don’t mind coming off the bench and that mentality will take you far in the playoffs if there is a formula behind it. The weakest part of the Magic team is their bench and it’s hard to win playoff games with limited options. Calderon and Bargnani both put up good numbers and Primoz Brezec will hopefully put his body to good use. Don’t look for Foyle, Bogans or Garrity to produce much more than some hard clapping.
FINAL THOUGHT: While the Raptors will threaten, as long as Orlando’s starters can play a lot of minutes the Magic should win the series in about six games. While both of these teams have become increasingly more exciting in the last few years and should continue to. The Raptors are deep, but only kryptonite can stop Superman.
MAGIC IN SIX
24 Responses to “Series Preview: Orlando vs. Toronto”
Apr.18 at 3:39 pm
vmcb says:
“Bargnani” and “improved play” do not apply to this season. I agree with Orlando in six, though.
Apr.18 at 3:41 pm
Ken H. says:
Bosh OWNS dwight howard for some reason! Raptors in 7 is my prediction.
Apr.18 at 4:01 pm
Steph says:
This felt like one of those polite nba.com or other nba operated magazine like Inside stuff article. toronto proving it is elite in the east? rasho beginning to play up to his potential? and the bargnani comment is ridiculous.
Apr.18 at 4:18 pm
thesubwayconnection says:
Bosh has had Dwight’s number all year. I think the Raps will take it, if their guard play is up to par, and Bargnani doesn’t disappear like he was prone to this year. Any of those things don’t happen, Magic in six.
Apr.18 at 4:31 pm
FLUXLAND says:
“Rasho Nesterovic is only beginning to play to his potential.” Hey, it only took 10 years in the L, but better late then never, right Radoslav?
–
“Anthony Parker is a straight-up competitor” Caputo is a comedian as well, I see. He’s a competitor alright .. for 3 and 1/2 quarters.
Apr.18 at 4:44 pm
sab says:
good article Matt, but unlucky with drawing the short straw - this is undoubtedly the most boring series in the first round. whoever wins will be dismissed in the next round. but good to see both franchises on the rise…
Apr.18 at 4:47 pm
Andrew says:
I agree with most of your points (although Battie is out for the year with a bum shoulder)… and as far as the Magic in 6?? Naw, The Raps have depth in the most important position when it comes to the playoffs- the point guard. T.J. and Jose will absolutely destroy Arroyo and Nelson of the dribble, which will allow guys like Parker and Delfino to hit some long bombs. This will be a long, tough series though- Raps in 7!
Apr.18 at 5:12 pm
iLL wiLL says:
Agree with the article. Raps have depth, but no real good players other than Bosh. Series doesn’t really matter anyways as the winner will be ousted in the 2nd round.
Apr.18 at 5:18 pm
A-Train says:
you f*ckin writers really need to watch your typos before you post your sh*t. really unprofessional. i guess no one ever said slam was professional to begin with tho
Apr.18 at 5:37 pm
James AKA the artist formerly known as Krayzie Bone says:
Bosh treaded water this year. Nesterovic and Parker played well when the team was crapping the bed (meaning when someone had to get stats), Ford regressed, and Bargnani moved from potential to potential bust in a New York Minute. As for Brezec, besides confusing Howard with his confusing Slovenian accented ghetto slang, he will have less impact on this series then Zan Tabak.
Apr.18 at 5:49 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Easy on Zan Tabak, homey…that guy played in the Finals!!! lol
Apr.18 at 6:01 pm
Jeretron says:
Idiots….toronto has the 2 point guard combo in the league!!! Jose Calderon has the best assist turn over ratio…Chris Bosh can shoot the Ball…dwight howard cant…hell he cant even get free throws..If Hedo is stuggling…this series is over quick…Raps in 7
Apr.18 at 8:09 pm
VCsuxa$$ says:
i agree that “bargnani” and “improved play” do not belong in the same sentence. For that matter, neither does “Ford” and “improved play”. I’m a huuuuuuuuge Raptors fan, but in order for the 2 aforementioned players to be rid of from my beloved Raptors, fans, coaches, and BC (the General Messiah), need to see how crappy these 2 players really are. Stop giving Ford and Bargnani praise and hope…they suck, let’s face it Raptor fans…Magic in 7 (ouch!)
Apr.18 at 8:39 pm
James AKA the artist formerly known as Krayzie Bone says:
I had forgotten that he had managed to play in the finals. Doesn’t that mean he has a ring? disgusting (i think i threw up in my mouth a bit). I remember Leo Rautins singing his praises to no end.
Apr.18 at 8:57 pm
FLUXLAND says:
No he didn’t win a ring..lol..the Pacers lost to the Lakers in 2000. But he was a backup for the Dream in 94. He has 3 Euroleague “rings”..on the only Euro team to ever threepeat… does that count for anything? LOL!
Apr.19 at 2:01 am
Hursty says:
orlando in 5. maybe 6. theyve played awful since bosh’s injury and his return hasnt helped.
Apr.19 at 9:09 am
Matt Caputo says:
In my only defense, I can say I wrote this in a half-hour in a rush. I admit to a number of brain-slips. HOWEVER, in defense of Bargnani, no one who goes from starting 2 games as a rookie to 50-plus in his second year doesn’t improve on some level. His numbers went down, but unfortunately for bloggers and maybe even for Bargnani himself, the NBA game is about more than the stat sheet. David Lee’s numbers are always the same and it’s clear he’s improving on the court. Bargnani’s team lost more games this year than they won the previous year. The east became pretty tough at his position. His minutes went down because he lost minutes to Jamario Moon and it’s not hard to loose minutes to him. In defense of the Raptors as a team, sheesh, there are a ton of teams that should be better than Toronto and aren’t. AND RASHO….I MEANT to say he only started showing signs of any life late in the season. My apologies.
Apr.19 at 9:09 am
Matt Caputo says:
In my only defense, I can say I wrote this in a half-hour in a rush. I admit to a number of brain-slips. HOWEVER, in defense of Bargnani, no one who goes from starting 2 games as a rookie to 50-plus in his second year doesn’t improve on some level. His numbers went down, but unfortunately for bloggers and maybe even for Bargnani himself, the NBA game is about more than the stat sheet. David Lee’s numbers are always the same and it’s clear he’s improving on the court. Bargnani’s team lost more games this year than they won the previous year. The east became pretty tough at his position. His minutes went down because he lost minutes to Jamario Moon and it’s not hard to loose minutes to him. In defense of the Raptors as a team, sheesh, there are a ton of teams that should be better than Toronto and aren’t. AND RASHO….I MEANT to say he only started showing signs of any life late in the season. My apologies.
Apr.19 at 9:09 am
Matt Caputo says:
In my only defense, I can say I wrote this in a half-hour in a rush. I admit to a number of brain-slips. HOWEVER, in defense of Bargnani, no one who goes from starting 2 games as a rookie to 50-plus in his second year doesn’t improve on some level. His numbers went down, but unfortunately for bloggers and maybe even for Bargnani himself, the NBA game is about more than the stat sheet. David Lee’s numbers are always the same and it’s clear he’s improving on the court. Bargnani’s team lost more games this year than they won the previous year. The east became pretty tough at his position. His minutes went down because he lost minutes to Jamario Moon and it’s not hard to loose minutes to him. In defense of the Raptors as a team, sheesh, there are a ton of teams that should be better than Toronto and aren’t. AND RASHO….I MEANT to say he only started showing signs of any life late in the season. My apologies.
Apr.19 at 9:27 am
benny says:
’sheesh, there are a ton of teams that should be better than Toronto and aren’t’ true. but, unfortunately, that means little. this hate is just a little ridiculous. seems most writers/fans were a lot more @ ease when the raptors were horrible. you could just dismiss the team & move on to the next topic. but now (gasp) that they’re talented enough to be able to struggle/underachieve & still be decent it’s an orgy of hate. go figure.
Apr.19 at 1:56 pm
scott says:
Orlando in six. Who cares.
Apr.19 at 2:29 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Raptors in 5.
Apr.19 at 9:35 pm
Paps says:
Raps in 6. Then Bosh finally gets his due’s from the U.S fans and media.
Apr.21 at 12:47 pm
Jess says:
FLUXLAND hating on AP again..haha this is getting funny…Raps in 6