Not that I think this means anything but Turkoglu hit a three as time expired and Orlando survives KG-less Boston. This is two buzzer beaters in one week for the Magic against two top-tier teams. The Magic almost choked this one away.

I watched the last few minutes of this one as I thought Boston might make a run. What I noticed is how poorly Carlos Arroyo played when it counted most. See the the last two minutes of the game's Play by Play:

ESPN - Boston vs. Orlando Play By Play, January 27, 2008


Orlando really needs a healthy Jameer Nelson to do well in the playoffs. Arroyo was tentative and unconfident the last two minutes. He did not look like a playmaker at all.

But can a team that features Maurice Evans as a starting 2 really go that far?

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"I don't believe there's any problem in this country, no matter how tough it is, that Americans, when they roll up their sleeves, can't completely ignore. - George Carlin

At least Joe was able to recognize Arroyo and Evans shortcomings and let them go.

If Darko and GHill had stayed witth the Magic, Ron Jeremy could have darn near put out a full lineup of ex Pistons on the floor at the same time..

With Arroyo starting at point, Orlando has beaten Detroit, and then Boston this week. Me, I watched the whole game. On the whole, Arroyo had a fine game. Boston went on a 13-0 run when Arroyo sat down to rest early in the 4th quarter. Nelson is a great guy to bring off the bench in the 4th quarter to score for you, nothing more. He is not a point guard, and he can't defend at all.

PS, Arroyo did, shortly before the injury to Nelson , beat Nelson out for the starters job for a few games.

I agree Arroyo is dangerous out there with the ball (for both sides) as you never know who he is going to pass it to and he has learned to reduce the overdribble , but he still seems to careless out there too and you are just waiting for his pocket to get picked or for him to throw an earrant pass. If he is a defensive liablity out there it is because he is playing heavy minutes with Nelson out.

The problem is that Nelson is no better and frequently worse - at least Arroyo recognizes that he shouldn't be shooting the ball; Nelson is just a chucker. And Nelson's noticeably worse defensively than Arroyo, as well (which is saying something).

When you have three big-time scorers in the frontcourt you can get away with playing a Bogans or Evans at the 2, but the Magic are going nowhere until they seriously upgrade their PG spot.

I'm not sure Jameer is that much of an upgrade over Arroyo. Carlos is fine coming off the bench, but until the Magic replace Nelson I'm not sure they get very far.

The past two Pistons game with the Magic and some of yesterday's game with Boston are the first times I've really seen Evans play this year. Somewhere along the way he has developed some hands. With the Pistons he was completely incapable of finishing in traffic and often seemed like he was using his hands as paddles to steer the ball in the general direction of the hoop. I've seen some really nice plays from him lately though, including that great one handed catch and jam against Boston.

The Magic already have enough guys to score, especially if they were to find a decent point guard. There could be a place for a guy like Evans who's willing to work hard, play some defense, and grab some boards - and not have any plays called for him. This could be an ideal situation.

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"But first, are you experienced? Or have you you ever been experienced? Well, I have."
Jimi

Both Mo and CarArr have that warm Piston glo. Good thing JD didn't send Nazz to the Magic or they would be killin' everybody.

It seems to me after watching Orlando on Network TV a few times this year and listening to all the hype that Howard is getting that Orlando doesn't need anything to make it to the ECF except for Howard to be able to walk onto the court, because Orlando and Boston are Stern's NBA ECF teams of the year and he, his minions and the officials will do their darndest to make sure that Boston and Orlando get to the ECF this year.

The NBA and the media hate us because we keep trotting out the same old guys year after year none of which the NBA and national media have seen fit to turn into superstars and keep winning with these guys. So we become fodder for the league's latest and greatest superstar and/or media hype.

The NBA is a league of superstars. That is how the NBA is packaged and sold. So if you ain't got a superstar or some other compelling story the NBA and media don't want you in the Finals.

In 2004 and to a lesser extent in 2005 we had compelling stories.

1. Brown going for his first ring.
2. The network media and nation discover Ben Wallace
3. Sheed - can he turn over a leaf and go from a trouble making superstar in Portland to a winner in Detroit.
4. To a lesser extent, can a team without superstars win the title?

Brown and Big Ben have gone and Sheed has aged and mellowed. Their is no media story regarding the Pistons so the Networks can't sell us to the casual NBA fan, who buys all the NBA products and boosts the ratings during playoff time.

Well put.

On the contrary, Stern has recognized that the best way to help pistons to get rid of complacency is to create meaningful competition for them.

Btw, where is my folium hat? Better safe than sorry.