I'm at a complete loss as to how the Magic have accomplished this without Darko. I guess they needed to get him outta Dwight's way.


ESPN - Orlando vs. Seattle Recap, November 28, 2007

Darko taught the Magic how to win and then he moved on. His work was done in Orlando. He's an international ambassador, teaching the sport of basketball to all who will listen.

lol

And after he leaves Memphis, the Grizz will become NBA Champions.

Lewis has turned out great so far. I thought they overpaid him, but I think the Magic thought that too, and they decided to do it anyway. He is successfully spreading the floor and making DHo's job a lot easier. Nelson, Turk, Bogans, and Arroyo seem to be playing much better this year as well. I can't say whether this is a feedback effect, or if they have just improved.

Foyle and Redick have been pretty dissappointing. Even though I'm a Duke hater, I'd still like to see Redick get his chance.

I think this start by the Magic may be fool's gold. Why? One statistical category jumps out at me. Assists off the Glass (ATOG). The ATOG average has dropped dramatically in the absence of Darko who was the League Leader for the past two years.

: pound:

Outstanding!

Dwight Howard is doing more damage than Yao, Labron, Dirk or Kobe at this point of the season...avergaing 23.5 and 14.5... including his 39 and 16 last night.

Obviously the addition of Lewis has helped with his 19.2/5.2 per game, and underated Turkoglu has been reborn averaging 18.5 and 5.8 brds. They got rid of former Pistons Darko and Grant Hill and they are thriving.. KG and Co couldn't stop them....I guess we will have to rely on Sheed and Nazr to slow down the Howard/Magic express...

Not sure who the rest of the competion has been this early seson, but wins build confidence and barring unjuries to the top 3, they will win this division and be in the automatic top 3 seeding.

Why do I not worry about Orlando?

Because they can't defend the Pistons and the Pistons consistently make the Magic their "b**ch". Why do we matchup well? Because we are the ANTI-MAGIC, we are their kyptonite. We can do everything they are weak at.

The Pistons CAN PLAY disciplined basketball which eliminates the ability of the Magic to get turnovers and long rebounds that turn into transition 3 pters and dunks. We play Dwight Howard one on one with Sheed and occasionally we mix it up with double teams. Tayshaun can guard Lewis and Jameer Nelson is absolutely Chauncey's b#tch. Whenever we need a score against Orlando, there is nothing more certain than Mr. Big Shot taking Nelson in the post.

We shouldn't fear this team, we've beaten them 9 consecutive games and they don't have an answer for us. Their defense is not that great and our offense outworks their D.

We are the better team, despite the record.

We are better, but they are good enough to beat us if they got some momentum.

Sheed could get in foul trouble.
Lewis could get Michael-Redd hot and Tay might not be able to slow him down.

Remember how much better we thought we were than the Cavs when they were down 0-2 last year? The media was all over Lebron for passing in the final seconds of the game.

We kinda overwhelmed the Cavs last year 3-1 during the regular season and started off 2-0 before we got b-slapped around by Labron, the refs and our passive defense. So we should never be cocky enough to assume that we can beat anybody in a 7 game series especially based on the scenarios that TaShawn mentions. Of course the Pistons can't be cocky (Sheed/Billups) or afraid (Tay/Flip Sr) to play them either. Just need play smart and play to win.