Celtics (22-5) at Magic (22-7) 12/25

[killa3312]

Howard's offensive game always looks limited against Boston because Perkins does a great job keeping him from getting great low post position. Any low post player, even Hakeem, is much more limited when they can't get position. It's why Yao and Perkins always give Dwight problems, because he cannot consistently get post position down low on them.

Instead of constantly mocking Howard's post game, give your players credit. He has no problems scoring on a guy like Duncan, so obviously he has some offense. Push anyone out of their comfort spot and they'll struggle. The Celtics do a great job on Howard, it doesn't mean his offense is non-existant.

I'm a Magic fan and a staunch Howard supporter. He's far from a great offensive player and I'm not saying he's Hakeem down low or anything, but he DOES have an offensive game, and a pretty good one, when he can get position. Perk just has such a strong lower body that Dwight cannot get consistently good position on him, and that severely limits him. Howard's game is based on hooks and using both hands around the basket and when he has to resort to taking those farther away than he'd like, he struggles. It's why for guys like Perk and Yao, he needs a jumpshot; it'd help him so much.

Also, Ewing is a horrible coach. Yao learned nothing from him, and neither has Dwight. I almost wish that the Magic had held on to Clifford Ray. He showed more offensive improvement with him as coach than he ever has with Ewing.

[Bahku]

I know Shaq is an ex-laker who won them titles and now plays for the cavs and all...
And I usually don't like those nba cares sorta thingies too much...
But Shaq is just a class act and a guy I can't help to root for on some level!

I've always liked Shaq, though there were times I didn't want to ... and being the one who gave Paul his "Truth" nick-name, won me over for good ... guy knows his subject matter.

[TerreHaute]

I know Shaq is an ex-laker who won them titles and now plays for the cavs and all...
And I usually don't like those nba cares sorta thingies too much...
But Shaq is just a class act and a guy I can't help to root for on some level!

Couldn't agree more. Even though he never wore green, he is one of the greatest of all time. TP

[misha]

Stuart Scott and Magic are already talking about the Laker game on the halftime show. They make me want to puke!

Yeah ... I was thinking the same thing ... Magic basically saying he didn't even care about this game ... stroking the two NBA's "gods" ... makes me nauseous, too. (TP)

Wonder what's gonna happen when the Cavs don't make the finals again??

I wonder what's Magic's face expression gonna look like when we defeat Lakers in the finals again

[scoop]

I am so sick of how far degraded the standard has become for charges.  Getting set, before your man leaves the floor and not moving, is so hard, it should only happen a fraction of the time.  The refs are handing out charges like candy in general these days, and especially this game.  Watch the replays, is the defender set, BEFORE the offensive player leaves the ground?  If not, it cannot be a charge, charges should only happen less than 10% of the time on drives because of how difficult physically it is to accomplish this.  Unfortunately, it has become the sexy call of the league.

That was never the rule or the standard. If it was, games would be lay-up drills. The defensive player can move at will, he can't move into the space of the offensive player, that's all. A guy can perfectly get a charge while moving his feet.

[Kiorrik]

It's awesome how we are what we want to be this first half:

If you can't win it on O, at least work hard on D.

D wins championships.

[killa3312]

Howard's offensive game always looks limited against Boston because Perkins does a great job keeping him from getting great low post position. Any low post player, even Hakeem, is much more limited when they can't get position. It's why Yao and Perkins always give Dwight problems, because he cannot consistently get post position down low on them.

Instead of constantly mocking Howard's post game, give your players credit. He has no problems scoring on a guy like Duncan, so obviously he has some offense. Push anyone out of their comfort spot and they'll struggle. The Celtics do a great job on Howard, it doesn't mean his offense is non-existant.

I'm a Magic fan and a staunch Howard supporter. He's far from a great offensive player and I'm not saying he's Hakeem down low or anything, but he DOES have an offensive game, and a pretty good one, when he can get position. Perk just has such a strong lower body that Dwight cannot get consistently good position on him, and that severely limits him. Howard's game is based on hooks and using both hands around the basket and when he has to resort to taking those farther away than he'd like, he struggles. It's why for guys like Perk and Yao, he needs a jumpshot; it'd help him so much.

Also, Ewing is a horrible coach. Yao learned nothing from him, and neither has Dwight. I almost wish that the Magic had held on to Clifford Ray. He showed more offensive improvement with him as coach than he ever has with Ewing.

[TerreHaute]

How come you never hear a color guy that is an actual basketball expert complain about seeing gret defense. Keep it up C's! Take them to school!

[killa3312]

lol, ffs I keep messing up the quotes. It's alright.

[RJ87]

I know Shaq is an ex-laker who won them titles and now plays for the cavs and all...
And I usually don't like those nba cares sorta thingies too much...
But Shaq is just a class act and a guy I can't help to root for on some level!

I've always like Shaq as well - he does a lot for the community. Much respect.

[Bahku]

Foul on Dwight ... yes! That's four.

[Kiorrik]

Keep it beastin' Perk, keep Beastin'.

[Kiorrik]

lol, ffs I keep messing up the quotes. It's alright.

We all do that m8

[4THQTR]

lol, ffs I keep messing up the quotes. It's alright.

no worries, i gotcha anyway...

i sort of agree with you, cause obviously dwight is doing something right on offense averaging something like 18pts a game so far for the season.
Like I said: if he can improve his post-game though, he'll be an unstoppable force.

[jadams5214]

This game is there for the taking right now.  The C's need to calm down on offense and build this lead up.  The Magic will make a run at some point.

Paging KG or Ray --- maybe one of you can step up and score a few baskets.