Surprise team so far…Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are for real. They are currently sitting atop the Southeast division (not a ton of history there) with a record of 15-4. What is most impressive is the fact that they have won 10 of 12 on the road and are rivaling the Boston Celtics as the team to beat in the East.
Most people know the Orlando Magic have Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, but what people might not understand is the teams secret weapon; Hedo Turkoglu. Hedo is the man this year for the Magic, averaging 19 points 6 rebounds and 4 assists per contest. In the offseason the Magic signed Rashard Lewis and he’s provided everything they need scoring 19 points and getting 5 rebounds a game. Let’s look at this starting lineup they throw out there each night: Jameer Nelson, Keith Bogans (the weakest link), Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard. Turkoglu is 6*9 and so is Lewis so that gives them some incredible size. The weakest link, Bogans, isn’t out there to do anything but the little things. He is out there to screen, pass and play defense and if he scores points then that is just gravy for the team. Howard has been unreal averaging 24 points and 15 rebounds a game. The scary part is that he is still learning his way offensively but he’s an MVP waiting to happen. I look back on when there was actually debate as to the top player in that years draft whether it would be Okafor or Howard. Good choice Orlando!!!
Stan Van Gundy has these guys playing well and playing together as a team. People forget that Van Gundy was the coach of those Miami Heat, for a time, when they won it all a couple years ago. He knows what he is doing and they are winning on the road. These Magic could give the Celtics all they could handle because as Howard gets more experience and becomse more of a go to force inside, not even Garnett will be able to hold him down. He’s the next Shaq only he will end up more skilled and that’s scary.
December 5th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Dwight Howard is a beast. He’s the best big man in the East and maybe the best in the game. He’s certainly there with guys like Yao, Duncan, and Amare Stoudamire. He’s a legit MVP candidate and he’ll only get better. The sky is the limit for that young man.
December 5th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Dwight is a beast. He is as physically gifted a 7 footer as we have ever seen. Thanks for your comment. If they continue to surround him with players the Magic will be great for years
December 8th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Well, thus far it seems to be working so far. I’ve been less than impressed with Rashard Lewis, but Hedo is having a career year. Howard is that team though. He already has 7 games this season where he’s scored at least 30 points and grabbed at least 15 rebounds. He’s as athletic a big man as I’ve ever seen. Even more athletic than a young Shaq.