I have them either barely making the playoffs or missing it, outside of Dwight I just don't think much of their players. Then again they are in the East. Overrated team anyways.
The Magic will make the playoffs but they clearly aren't a contender to reach the Finals. Just like last year, their backcourt will kill them. Unlike last year, Nelson & Bogans won't play out of their minds to start the season and the Magic won't have an 18-5 cushion (or something like that) to coast on. I put them behind the Celts, Cavs, Sixers, Pistons. They will struggle to finish ahead of the Hawks, Wizards (assuming they get healthy) and Heat. On the Blazers game, Roy puts them on his back the last part of the 2nd quarter after coming back in for Batum. The Spurs just look spent. Oberto being out isn't that big of a deal because he's no good, but they sure miss Manu.
The 4 or 5 times I've watched Rudy Fernandez play, he's really, really impressed me. He's so quick to the ball, and his floor sense is already that of a seasoned veteran. And he's got a beautiful shot as well. He plays at a faster, more energetic pace than Roy, but doesn't seem out of control like Manu Ginobili was in first couple years. Here's my totally out there prediction: By the end of the season, people will be debating who's the better player between him and Brandon Roy.
I wasn't sold on Rudy after watching him in the Olympics. Maybe, I just didn't want to believe he was this good. I agree with evertyhing you said above. I will add that fans will be much more excited about Rudy than Oden by the end of the year.
They won but were lucky Finley missed that easy shot. That isn't the way you close a game. Spurs are 0-2.
Al Thornton will be the best plalyer from last years draft. I said it last year. 30 points for him tonight. They were up big and I stopped watching but just saw the score and saw that the Clippers lost.
