Forget Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Orlando Magic is the most exciting team in the NBA. Word! Word!
I’ve never enjoyed Orlando Magic as much as I did when Shaq and Penny Hardaway run-rampant the League with their inside-outside touch (I enjoyed the Magic as long as I don’t remember that they lost 0-4 to the Houston Rockets in 1995 NBA Finals when the Houston’s big man is ruled by #34 Hakeem, not the #11 Ming)
Will the Magic go to 2009 NBA Finals like they did back in 1995?
What’s so different between the Magic back in Shaq-Penny era and the Magic today?
The Magic today is B-A-L-A-N-C-E-D.
Sure, the 1995 Magic have Nick Anderson, Dennis Scott and Horace Grant as the other starting 3. But the 2009 Magic have a less reliance to the starting 5 (except for my man, Dwight).
With the recent selection of Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis to accompany Dwight Howard to play in 2009 NBA All-Star, the Magic is DEEP and BALANCED this year.
Consider the other guys: Hedo Turkoglu is still showing why he was the winner of NBA Most Improved Player; Mickael Pietrus’ acquisition brings more stability on Two-Guard; The Magic Rook, Courtney Lee, shows some talent; J.J. Redick shows why the Celtics are eagerly pursuing him (he could be start on other NBA teams); And the rest of the team, including the Bogans-guy add depth to the Magic.
All in all, Orlando Magic looks “magical” this year!
About their chances to go far in 2009 Playoff – the Magic WILL go far. As long as they can keep the momentum, they can beat the Celtics and Cavs to win the Conference Finals.
What do you think?
Image by Allie_Caulfield, NBA.com.