Shaq came out smoking in the 1st quarter with 10 points in only 5-6 minutes. Howard went right back at 'em with 9 points of his own. Wade is an awesome player. I almost forget how great he is. He makes everything happen for the Heat. Rashard is his usual passive self. Don't think I've ever seen Ricky Davis play this well. If he has a career year and plays over his head the entire season, the Heat will make noise in the East. Considering this is SVG vs. Riles, neither team has played much defense. A lot of wide open shots.
I hate passive players (tmac at times). But it works for Orlando. Howard is dominating the paint, Nelson is attacking, and Turkoglu is aggressive. Lewis compliments it so well. Thus the sexy record.
I guess so. But when Jameer plays bad (which is semi-regular) and Turkey-Glue's shooting is off, Rashard will need to assert himself. That isn't his nature. For that kind of money, he needs to be more than just a 4th option on offense.
The Magic are for real this year. Lewis is a good signing for them and Howard is playing close to MVP level.
Lewis is a terrible signing for them. They outbid themselves to pay a 20ppg one dimensional scoer $20mill/year through Dwight Howard's prime. They are going to be kicking themselves over that contract over the next half decade. They have made the jump to good, but they won't be able to afford the jump to elite because of that contract. Just like Cleveland with Hughes and Z.
I disagree. They already have Howard locked up for long term; they have Rashard locked up for long term; they have good players in Turkglu and Nelson. They have enough to compete for an NBA title this year and for years to come (as Howard grows into the most dominant player in the league). Cap room is way way overrated in the NBA. Name me the last team that saved up huge cap room and became a contender.
Strawman. It has nothing to do with cap room. It has everything to do with avoiding the luxury tax. If you are paying $20million to a guy who disappears when it matters most and is a borderline All-Star, you aren't going to have the financial flexibility to trade for higher priced players or add guys with the full MLE every year, unless your owner is Mark Cuban. PS: If you think they are good enough to compete for the title this year, then I think it's safe to say the Dwight Howard hyperbole has officially jumped the shark.
With a starting backcourt of Jameer Nelson and Keith Bogans backed up by Carlos Arroyo and Keyon Dooling, they are not a contender. Both starters look OK so far this year, but it's just a matter of time before poor guard play bites the Magic. If they had an elite guard on that team instead of blowing that money on Rashard, then they might be a contender. Their great start last season turned into Fool's Gold. Let's wait a while before considering them legit.
Dwight Howard is a beast and is the ONLY player in the entire league I would consider trading Yao for...and he plays in the EAST. As long as the Magic have Dwight Howard, they will contend in the east. He's improving every year and this year is the year people have noticed. A dominant big man in the east surrounded by above average shooters is a great formula for contending. It's a matter of execution. All the Magic need is a real slashing scorer threat. They have no one right now. Jump shots can only take you so far...look at the Pierce/Walker Celtics. Their shots went in...it was probably a win. Someone goes cold...and you lose your chance at the finals. Go Nets...those were the days...
On the side note, Lewis is got to be the most overrated player in the league right now. You would think without Ray Allen taking shot attempts from him, he would be averaging 30 points right now. He don't rebound, he don't assist. Magic could of wait on the Kobe sweepstakes instead of wasting money on him.
