Orlando Next Year

[Toine43]

I was reading the Darko Trade thread and this post caught my eye.

I'd do it.  An extra body to put on Howard (...)

It made me think, should we really be looking at Orlando as the "team to beat" next year? I just have a strong gut feeling that the Magic will take a step back. They may not even be able to re-sign their 4th quarter go to guy Turkoglu, and even if they do enter next year with a similar team, I still believe that a healthy Boston team easily takes them in a 7-game series. And we should disregard how the Magic play the Cavs - their matchup has nothing to do with us. As far as the Celtics are concerned, the Cavs are still the biggest threat in the Eastern Conference.

Am I making a mistake disrespecting a team that reached the Finals this year despite its underdog status, or will the Magic show its "true colors" next season and fall back into the 2nd tear of the Eastern Conference behind Boston and Cleveland?

[Who]

The C's should be concerned about how they match up with both Orlando and Cleveland. They're the only other title contenders in the East.

[Rondo_is_better]

you're not mistaken. That's what will happen, unless of course we fade again and then Orlando could have another series against the Cavs where they abuse matchups and Mike Brown stands there drooling on his shoes.

[Toine43]

The C's should be concerned about how they match up with both Orlando and Cleveland. They're the only other title contenders in the East.

Of course. The Celtics should prepare for both these teams to be title contenders. I'm just not sure Orlando is actually going to play at that level. My prediction is that the Heat take a step forward while the Magic take a step back. Other than that, I assume it will be business as usual (business meaning widespread mediocrity), as most teams will have their sights set on the 2010 offseason rather than the 09-10 season.