The three days in between Finals Games 1 and 2 felt like forever. It didn’t even help that two of them were weekend days. I wanted to quickly forget the awful feeling I had after Game 1 and I knew that the only thing that would help would be a solid performance by the Magic in Game 2.
Countless times throughout that three day waiting period, I was asked by family members, friends, and co-workers what I thought about the Magic’s chances after the big loss in Game 1. My response was the same each time: I’d rather wait and judge their chances after I see how they respond in Game 2. I even went so far as to say that a loss in Game 2 wouldn’t be a death blow, provided it was a close loss in the final minutes. Well, this turned out to be the case, though I wasn’t expecting another heartbreaker of a play at the end of regulation. Perhaps I should have expected it though, because this Magic team has shown us all season, and certainly in the playoffs, that they play an exciting brand of basketball that utilizes wild momentum swings, sudden disappearance (and reappearance) of players’ shots, and most importantly, the ability to shake off tough breaks and come back stronger for it.
It is this last trait that the Magic team, and those of us who live or die by their actions, must grab onto with all our hearts and minds and whatever else we can throw at it. If it means sacrificing an O-Rena Chicken Tender Basket, then so be it. We are in a hole, and things aren’t as rosy as they were a few days ago, but we have three straight games at home, and the Lakers have to beat us two more times. I feel very strongly that if we play with as much fight at home the way we did in Game 2, that we can beat the Lakers two out of three here. And then, well, hey we go back to LA with a puncher’s chance, right?
In discussing Game 2 with people, reading the boards, and especially reading the national media, I’d say that Courtney Lee is taking way way too much heat for his missed layup at the end of regulation. It is actually quite upsetting that anyone would give him flack for that. Coach Stan Van Gundy deserves praise for a well designed play for the one player on the court that could make the shot and would be open to do so. Hedo Turkoglu made a tremendous inbounds pass – something he is becoming known for. If Lee had had more than .6 seconds, and if he hadn’t had to fight through a Kobe Bryant screen, he could have caught the ball closer to the rim instead of underneath the rim. This difference would have made it a gimme shot. Don’t even bring up Pau Gasol’s defensive interference...even if it did affect the shot, we had one coming, considering Howard’s blatant through-the-rim block on Gasol earlier in the game. If Lee makes that shot, it goes down as one of the biggest, probably the biggest in Magic history. We’d all be marveling at how difficult it was. Just because he missed it, doesn’t mean the same logic no longer applies.
We had a great shot to win Game Two, both in regulation and in overtime, but it just didn’t work out. However, our effort was there. We showed that we can play with the Lakers and stay in a game with them on their court. The breaks went their way, not ours. Even so, it was great to see some dominating performances on our end. Our three biggest scorers all shot the ball well and took over the game. Turkoglu, Lewis, and Howard made 25 shots combined in Game 2. The rest of the team made 8 combined. The problem wasn’t the 8 shots, it was the fact that it took them 31 attempts to make those eight. Even though most of the team was cold, that shouldn’t carry over to the friendly, familiar rims in the Amway Arena. So, now we just have to keep our stars hot and have everyone else show up. I expect all of the Magic players to feel an extreme sense of urgency. I expect players like Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, and Jameer Nelson to feel the need to redeem themselves. I expect Dwight Howard to say, “enough of this!” I expect the O-Rena to be epically loud this evening. I expect it to be a madhouse. I expect the smattering of fans wearing yellow and purple jerseys to be ribbed mercilessly. Most importantly, I expect Magic Land to sleep well tonight.
And hey, if nothing else, we got Gina Marie Incandela!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
In my mind, this is without a doubt the tougher situation to overcame in this playoffs. More than the infamous game5 in Boston and The (anti-sweep) Shoot in Cleveland. The Lakers are a team that give us bad fits as the Celtics, while being healthy. And they had an undefendeable player like the Cavs, but a much better supporting cast.
That said, IMO the problem with some of our guys is that the kind of confidence we've enjoyed in the last 20+ days, that wonderful sensation of being capable of overcame every obstacle in our way, is quite shaken right now. For those reasons, tonight game could be the harder we've played and will play all season. Could you imagine, for example, the silence in the Arena in the case we go down by 10/15 points, even if we've already showed of being able to recover in almost every situation?
If tonight we could take this first well-needed W in our history Finals, even an awful one, we'll be back right there. Otherwise, a 0-3 hole is probably too much even for this group of guys that has given us the conviction of everything being possible.
BTW, great read as always LODM.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Luke_FfS,
Shard playing catch up: 25 3's to go.
Posts: 1453 | Location: Tambien conocido como Taino_FfS! | Registered: June 12, 2008
I fully it expect it to rain three's tonight and LA will have to give Dwight some room to work in the paint. But IMO we need to sweep this homestand to have a chance at taking the series.
Getting two wins in LA with the refs giving Kobe star calls is nearly impossible.
Posts: 6540 | Location: Amway Arena Lot 3 waiting for the next game | Registered: February 23, 2006
Originally posted by WPMagic: I have nothing else in my life!
And.....and.....and TWINS!!!!
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Originally posted by Live or Die Magic: I feel very strongly that if we play with as much fight at home the way we did in Game 2, that we can beat the Lakers two out of three here. And then, well, hey we go back to LA with a puncher’s chance, right?
Even though most of the team was cold, that shouldn’t carry over to the friendly, familiar rims in the Amway Arena. So, now we just have to keep our stars hot and have everyone else show up.
Most importantly, I expect Magic Land to sleep well tonight.
And hey, if nothing else, we got Gina Marie Incandela!
^^^^^ This.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
orlandomagiczone.com 
