With all apologies to “Alice In Chains,” this is exactly where the Magic now find themselves. I was really hoping that the Magic could somehow, someway, manage to steal a game in Detroit. Unfortunately, turnovers and free throws killed us in Game 1. While we managed to fix the turnover problem in Game 2, a sick and ineffective Dwight Howard contributed to another “close, and yet so far” loss.
So, now we are left with one game to prove to the Pistons that we are not a pushover and to prove to the home fans that there is a reason to come out to the games. It must be tonight. We cannot wait till Saturday. The Magic players need to grab the reigns of desperation and ride it to a victory tonight. After two tough losses by 8 points, the Magic should be able to use the "Code Blue" home crowd as a catalyst for an actual lead in this game.
This is what we have waited four years for…another chance at the Pistons on our home court. We have shown that we can at least stay in the game with them. Now we need to show that we can actually beat them.
So come early Magic fans. Be loud, wear your free t-shirt, bang your thunderstix, drink your cold beverage of choice, and try the chicken finger basket. Oh, by the way, if anyone happens to know which entrance Magic dancer April will be handing out the shirts, please pass the word on!
Observations from the Barcalounger – Magic @ Pistons – Game 2
The Magic started off with engines roaring. In the first few minutes of the 1st quarter, they were able to get inside at will.
Wow! Grant Hill made both of his free throws! How sad is it that I have to say that?
A couple of former #1 overall Magic draft choices going at it. I thought that Chris Webber played surprisingly good individual defense on Howard.
You can argue with me until you are Code Blue in the face, but I will never move off my assertion that the hard foul Jameer Nelson put on Rip Hamilton was NOT a flagrant.
Although turnovers seemed to be an issue again for the Magic in the 1st quarter, they quickly corrected it and took great care of the ball for the rest of the game.
Speaking of turnovers, our big men might want to consider chalking up their hands more during the game. Is “stick-um” allowed in the NBA?
The Pistons showed why the three point field goal can be such an effective weapon when all of your starters are capable of hitting them.
Hedo Turkoglu was "6 for 6" in the 1st quarter! If he still has that mysterious illness, perhaps he should share it with the rest of the team!
Nelson dribbled out the clock on the final position before driving and being blocked at the buzzer. It wasn’t a bad shot necessarily, but a wide open Hedo three pointer would have been better.
Here is an indication that, despite his tremendous strides and potential, Howard is still young and raw. In the 2nd quarter, Howard goes up for a shot and is blocked from behind by Webber (in Howard’s defense, it was a very questionable “no call.”). As the Pistons fast break the other way, Howard stays behind and complains to the ref. Webber himself ends up dunking the ball home.
In a likely extension of his frustration, Howard later puts a forearm into Webber’s back while both of them are going up for a rebound. The crafty Webber executes a textbook flop – great acting – to draw the cheap foul on Howard.
Ok, more missed free throws from Grant Hill. For some reason, I always assume that Hill is a great free throw shooter. Maybe it is his demeanor, his class, or his reputation. It could also be the fact that he has made a career with the mid-range jumper!
Down by 3 points at the half? I’ll take it.
I chose to watch the TNT broadcast (as opposed to the Magic network broadcast) of Game 2. Though I still prefer David Steele and Matt Guokas, it was actually a treat to listen to Marv Albert and Steve Kerr call the game.
Care to hear another contributing factor as to why the Pistons are beating us? A quick look at their bench shows that Terry Porter, Dave Cowens, and Ron Harper are all assistant coaches. These three either have head coaching experience, NBA championship experience, or in the case of Cowens, both.
Anyone get an ID on the idiot that kept yelling “three seconds” every time the Magic had the ball?
My initial reaction while watching this game was that Dwight took a big step backward. Not knowing that he was sick, I questioned by Brian Hill had him sitting out for long stretches.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the story about the fire alarm being pulled in the Magic’s hotel. It most likely was simply a fan, unrelated to the Pistons. But if the Pistons tried to deny involvement, no one would believe them!
Rasheed Wallace’s banked three pointer after exceptional Magic defense on the possession pretty much sealed the outcome. Nelson’s turnover on the next Magic possession didn’t help.
Considering that Detroit is known as a tough, veteran team, we sure seemed to be the aggressors. We were the ones giving the hard fouls and attempting to dictate the pace of the game, even if were weren’t successful at it.
The Next T-Mobile Commercial I’m sure by now you have all seen those commercials with Dwyane Wade and Charles Barkley, talking about being in each others “5” on their cell phones. Well, the most recent one was broadcast during the Game 2 telecast. In it, Wade watches old Barkley highlights and is amazed at Barkley’s ability…to fit into his shorts. While watching it, I got a great idea for the next Wade/Barkley commercial. At some point in the commercial, Barkley gives Wade a good-natured pat on the back, only to have Wade just go sprawling on the ground. Barkley stands there with this incredulous look on his face as Wade picks himself up off the ground. Then Wade says to Barkley: "Sorry....habit."
At the Buzzer It has been a long, long season full of ups and downs. It is hard to believe that it could all be over by Saturday. Come on Magic! Win tonight and extend the season past the weekend!
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: 8127 | Location: Catching up with the OCTB. | Registered: February 09, 2006
The Next T-Mobile Commercial I’m sure by now you have all seen those commercials with Dwyane Wade and Charles Barkley, talking about being in each others “5” on their cell phones. Well, the most recent one was broadcast during the Game 2 telecast. In it, Wade watches old Barkley highlights and is amazed at Barkley’s ability…to fit into his shorts. While watching it, I got a great idea for the next Wade/Barkley commercial. At some point in the commercial, Barkley gives Wade a good-natured pat on the back, only to have Wade just go sprawling on the ground. Barkley stands there with this incredulous look on his face as Wade picks himself up off the ground. Then Wade says to Barkley: "Sorry....habit."
[.[/i]
Lmao that would be one hell of a commercial.....
Posts: 5717 | Location: North Pole | Registered: January 06, 2006
I've been a Magic fan since the very beginning. I actually posted a few times on here in the early months of the season because I like your posting style.
For me, it has never been harder to be a fan of the Magic. We have so much talent, and no direction or leadership. If you're going to talk about the Magic, team, and players; you need to address the coach also. As far as I can see, there are A LOT of Orlando fans that dislike Brian Hill. His coaching ability not only is being questioned locally, but nationally. And honestly, there are many valid reasons to question Brian Hill. I'll throw a few thoughts your way...
How many times now has a team Brian Hill is coaching been swept out of the playoffs? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the "Magic #" is 4. To make it worse, the first 3 times were teams with Shaq and Penny. And with this team, look at all the talent we have. I think this speaks volumes of the coaching, or lack there of. It shows that he doesn't know how to adapt, change, or adjust.
Bad player rotations. How many times do we have to watch Nelson continually turn the ball over while failing to get anyone else involved? He was never benched for his play. All players need to be held accountable; especially when Arroyo and Dooling were running the team better behind him.
Which leads to player development. Who has Brian Hill made a better player? Nelson regressed this season. Turk struggled most of the season. Darko never landed the starting position that he deserved. We saw flashes with Ariza. Redick never was aloud to play enough even though we desperately needed his shooting ability on the floor. Who has he made better? As far as I've seen, he restricts players, and slows their development. Dwight wanted to develop an 15 footer, Brian won't let him, Darko has always played from the outside-in, Brian forces him out of his comfort zone and only allows him to play down low. These types of things go on and on.
Continuing with the thoughts above brings me to players being misused. First, Darko, allow the guy to play the way he excels. Don't force him down on the block. Let him play the way he is comfortable. And we all knew he was going to be a free agent this summer. How could we have this guy for 1 1/2 seasons, and never start him with Dwight? If Dwight and Darko are the future, and you're going to have to sign him this summer, why not see how they're going to work together by starting them together?
I take that back, they did start together for a few games when Battie was out injured. And if you go back and check the numbers, Dwight's offense was at an all time career high, because Darko drew attention away from Dwight. Yet, when Battie return, Darko returned to the bench, and Dwight numbers went back down.
Second, Grant Hill played out of position the entire season. He has never been a shooting guard. He struggled to defend two guards around the league all season. His lack of range didn't help spread the floor. Our backcourt was one of the major reasons we had no chance against Detroit. We were outmatched at both the PG and SG positions on both end of the floor. We have two shooting guards sitting on the end of our bench, neither of them rarely played. Grant was often on and off from game to game, often because he just doesn’t have it in him to play starter minutes. Why not bring him off the bench, and play him at his natural position? Think of using him the way Dallas uses Jerry Stackhouse.
Last, most of the season Dooling played as a backup 2 guard and he struggled. Towards the seasons end, Hill finally played him where he should be playing, as a point guard. He is able to cause problems for opposing point guards with his defense. He actually looks to pass the ball more than Jameer. He turns the ball over less than Jameer. Stop playing him as a shooting guard. He struggles to defend two guards, and he shouldn't be put in the position to have to take a lot of shots.
Horrible offense. If Brian Hill wants to run a predictable inside-out offense, then he needs to put shooters on the floor. Dwight had to work harder than any other player in the league, because Brian Hill rarely surrounded him with shooters, so teams were able to collapse on him and pound him. Why is it so hard to understand that you have to put A TEAM on the floor? You just can't put veterans, or who you think are the best 5 out there together and expect them to play well together. You have to put players that compliment one another, and make things easier. To me it seems like Brian Hill doesn't understand this.
Last thoughts. We signed Keith Bogans to replace Deshawn Stevenson. I considered this a wash at the time, but Stevenson was a starter and still is a starter. They are still very similar, but Bogans was rarely used. I’m not sure what to make of this?
J.J. Redick? I think the question mark is good enough. I know they blame the injury that happened before the season started for his lack of playing time, but come on. The whole year went by, and he was never really given a real chance.
OK, I've wasted enough time on this guy... Obviously I'm frustrated, and from what I've read all over, I'm not the only one. All I can do is hope that someone in the Magic front office realizes that he isn't the right guy for the job.
Rick Carlisle Anyone?
Posts: 12 | Location: Orlando | Registered: September 14, 2006
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