boy..orlando not impressive

[Fafnir]

Of course they're not, a shooting team whose best player i bad from the line and whose top players aren't penetrators stands no chance.

That is not true. They are are a very good defensive team and that always gives them a chance. They are actually very similar in style to the first Rockets team that won a title. The reason they won't win the title is that Howard isn't as good as Dream was yet. Dream just dominated two playoffs in a row, Howard doesn't have the offensive game or the disciplined defensive game to do that just yet.

Their real problem is that Hedo and Rashard have been playing like garbage lately. Hedo used to provide their penetration most of the time. Even Rashard can drive on you if he wants to usually.

[Spfldkid]

Good topic, should have been named "Philly IS impressive!"  A lot of heart from a so-so team...!  Like I said b4 Orlando's #1 problem, Rashard LEwis..."Hmmmm, maybe I will score now, okay, that is it for now, I'm tired!" He has the skills to lead the league, but the attitude of Mark Blount...!

[Fafnir]

Good topic, should have been named "Philly IS impressive!"  A lot of heart from a so-so team...!  Like I said b4 Orlando's #1 problem, Rashard LEwis..."Hmmmm, maybe I will score now, okay, that is it for now, I'm tired!" He has the skills to lead the league, but the attitude of Mark Blount...!

He is also paid more than Dwight Howard....

[Drucci]

I'm glad that Philly won this game, they deserved to, they didn't fall back after Orlando's comeback. Dwight Howard had a big game and was clutch at the free-throw line. The non-calls on the intentional fouls of D12 on the last possession were really amazing, but Young managed to score a layup anyway!

The Magic seems to be a great regular season team that chokes in the playoffs, but they have not lost the series yet, they can still rebound if they win the next game.

However, I can't stop laughing when I see how Rashard Lewis is paid and how he performs... Here is his salary per year until 2012/2013 :

$17,238,000
   
$18,876,000
   
$20,514,000
   
$22,152,000
   
$23,790,000

I guess they'll trade him before his contract ends.

PS : Shaq was right about Van Gundy, by the way.

[lon3lytoaster]

I'm glad that Philly won this game, they deserved to, they didn't fall back after Orlando's comeback. Dwight Howard had a big game and was clutch at the free-throw line. The non-calls on the intentional fouls of D12 on the last possession were really amazing, but Young managed to score a layup anyway!

The Magic seems to be a great regular season team that chokes in the playoffs, but they have not lost the series yet, they can still rebound if they win the next game.

However, I can't stop laughing when I see how Rashard Lewis is paid and how he performs... Here is his salary per year until 2012/2013 :

$17,238,000
   
$18,876,000
   
$20,514,000
   
$22,152,000
   
$23,790,000

I guess they'll trade him before his contract ends.

PS : Shaq was right about Van Gundy, by the way.

Well SOMEONE is missing the point! Cleary the don't care about production, they just want the biggest expiring contract in 2013, obvious. Duh.

Kidding, by the way.

[Roy Hobbs]

I guess they'll trade him before his contract ends.

I don't think they'll have the opportunity, especially if the new CBA puts either further restrictions on salaries, as is expected.

[Hoops]

Yeah, Rashard's contract looked silly then and it looks more silly now.

Last night was a demonstration of why the media should never have gotten on the "Orlando is a real contender" bandwagon in the first place. They had it right for the first half of the year when they said "Orlando is untested in the playoffs - let's see them win a series or two before we call them a contender." Then Orlando kept winning games, their fans complained that they weren't getting respect, and the media gave in and decided to include Orlando in the Cleveland-Boston-LA tier. Never should have happened.

Orlando could come back in this series. But I think they're toast.

[Kuberski33]

Does anyone think Van Gundy is feeling the pressure about now -- in light of Shaq's comment about him panicking?  That's a label I think that has the potential to stick - if Orlando loses this series.

[CoachBo]

Actually, I don't find either team all that impressive.

But I'd rather play Philly, to be sure.

[BrickJames]

This was to be expected IMO.  Rough up Orlando's shooters a bit (playoff officiating), take away their comfort zone shooting threes, and they are left with nothing.

All I'm saying is that this is looking good - good chance we are ECF bound, somehow.

From there, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!!

[2short]

I actually thought philly would win the series.  Van Gundy is overrated and a team that depends on 3 pt shooting along is chancy.  If they are hitting great but if not they are far to 1 dimensional without nelson.  Gotta say though howard is a beast!

[Who]

What the heck is going on with Hedo? Is he still injured?

His abysmal play is costing Orlando the series.

[BudweiserCeltic]

What the heck is going on with Hedo? Is he still injured?

His abysmal play is costing Orlando the series.

I think his ankle is still bothering him a bit, though the team is downplaying it. Don't know if this is the reason for his poor performance though.

[PosImpos]

Series isn't over yet...who knows, Orlando could start getting hot from beyond the arc and then they take two straight. 

That said, it's looking good...we match up much better with Philly than Orlando.

[Spfldkid]

It is his back,(Hedo's) lower they say....not like Allen Iverson (his back too; the back of his HEAD LOL)Lewis too....