Orlando seem to be loosers at the trade deadline, with Philly and Boston both making big pickups and Indiana on a hot streak. Do you think they have a better than even chance of making the postseason?
Orlando @ Miami Showing now on local/national TV on Univision (spanish channel). Time Warner Cable channel #6. Enjoy.
Steve Francis starting as a 2-guard for the first time in his career. Jameer Nelson starting as PG and doing well so far - but Jameer is not really setting his team up early rather attacking the basket and I must add with ease as well. Interesting development.
I think the Magic will make the playoffs. The east is so weak that almost any team (except NO and ATL) actually has a chance.
I'd imagine that it'd be VERY difficult for NO to make the playoffs in the East considering they're in the West now.
They'll make it, but I don't see them doing much. Very few teams with the same kind of makeup succeed in the NBA playoffs where defense is the key. I look for a first round exit, maybe even a sweep...and then some sweeping changes.
That's really the dilemma with Steve. He isn't a pure PG because he doesn't make the smartest decisions with the ball. However, he is also not a good off guard because he is a bad catch and shoot player and needs the ball in his hands to be effective.
its hard to say indiana is making a push right now and so will philly with their recent trade. boston too will stay in the hunt with walker back now and the way orlando is playing they very well could be the odd man out. the last two spots are between orlando/indiana/philly or boston which wont be easy regardless of east/west.
Orlando just coughed up one to Miami. They're dangerously close to slipping out of the playoff picture right now. In fact they're tied with Indiana right now and only have a 2 game lead over Philly who I believe will win their division in a dog fight with Boston.
yeah that is true, but both philly and boston have improved their teams via the trade deadline. They are both gearing up for the final push within not only their own division but as well as the final spot. Boston and Philly going into today were a game apart while philly was 2 games off from the final spot. And with Orlando losing again today I believe they are actually in the 8th spot with the identical record as Indiana (i think indiana may have the season series at this moment) who have been playing great recently. While the other teams have improved their roster, and Indiana is starting to play up to their own level even w/o Ronny Boy Orlando has stayed put and havent improved their team. In fact they've gotten worse by trading mobley and have been in a freefall of late. The orlando media is starting to get on Francis, Francis himself is feels he "has to do it himself", Howard taking subtle jabs at SF all are contributing to this teams recent failures on the court. Yes orlando needs to beat just ONE of the three teams, most likely either philly or boston but given the recent occurances in Orlando and the changes in Philly and Boston the outlook does not look good despite having a 2 game lead right now on the 9th spot.
I was thinking the same thing today. I don't think they'll make it. All the teams behind them are getting hot or made big moves. And the Magic aren't playing as well as earlier in the season. I wonder how much of a genius Wisebrod will be if they finish under .500?
It looks like their chemistry went way south. They may still make it by a hair, but their wheels are falling off. Too bad. Evan
