Yeah, all the experts are focusing on the fact that the Magic have bulldozed their way through the playoffs so far, and aren't giving us a chance.  If you look at matchups, our play against Orlando during the "big three" era, etc., though, you'll see that we match up very well with the Magic.  Those eight playoff wins don't mean anything.

Yeah, all the experts are focusing on the fact that the Magic have bulldozed their way through the playoffs so far, and aren't giving us a chance.  If you look at matchups, our play against Orlando during the "big three" era, etc., though, you'll see that we match up very well with the Magic.  Those eight playoff wins don't mean anything.

Not all of them. For instance, the ESPN board has 2/8 guys picking the Celtics, two predicting the Magic in 7 and two in 6 (which are both fair predictions).

I'm not sure the Cavs lost last year due to complacency. They just matched up poorly, and Mo Williams is a choker.

Quote from: Roy Hobbs on May 15, 2010, 08:00:29 AM

Yeah, all the experts are focusing on the fact that the Magic have bulldozed their way through the playoffs so far, and aren't giving us a chance.  If you look at matchups, our play against Orlando during the "big three" era, etc., though, you'll see that we match up very well with the Magic.  Those eight playoff wins don't mean anything.

They mean as much as our 8 wins, a trip to the ECF.

Indeed, they mean as much, but the "experts" are making it sound like the fact that Orlando swept the two previous teams show how good they are. It's just not an argument, it shows that they are playing well but the Hawks/Magic series was an aberration (the Hawks matched up so poorly against Orlando it wasn't even fair, I mean, it's like you would have put Boston against the Knicks in the playoffs...).

As for the Charlotte series, they swept them but every game was close and the Bobcats didn't have a lot of offensive talent nor experience (but had a great coach) so it doesn't say much when you see how much more talented the Celtics are.

I just find it ridiculous when the media are making their picks based on previous records or previous rounds instead of looking at the matchup. Last year I was amazed they all picked the Cavs to win against Orlando, yet I had looked at the season series and the matchups and I knew Cleveland was in trouble. Yet if you are the defending ECF champion or if you swept two weak teams you're given a ticket to the Finals... stupid logic.

Although the experts picks make me smile again, I'm not that shocked this time. I think the Magic has proven that they have the mental edge needed in the playoffs and they are so talented offensively that I realistically see them winning in 6 or 7 games. It's the most "logical" pick I think, although I still see the C's prevailing of course.

I was actually thinking that the Celtics were this years Magic.  Last year Cleveland built themselves to beat Boston, and didn't get to play them in the playoffs.  This year Cleveland built themselves to beat Orlando and didn't get to play them.

Now I'm not sure if Orlando was expecting to have to play Boston (though with all the preseason hype it wouldn't surprise me if they planned on seeing them in the Conference Semis or Finals), but I think they match up really well with us.  It should be a good 6 or 7 game series. 

I think teams that have started 8-0, 9-0, etc. history has shown that they haven't had much success as far as winning championships and getting to the finals.

Agreed that we will have an opportunity to steal a game in Orlando, we just need to 'do it'. The Magic are a tougher matchup for us than Cleveland because they are much more balanced with Howard, Lewis and Carter all being game changers. I think we will dominate at the PG and PF with Rondo and KG.

How long are people going to try to taint our beating of the Cavaliers with 'Elbowgate'? Whether it is slightly injured or not (I believe it may be sprained or strained) the Cavalliers gave up against us, including Lebron. They showed they have no heart when they are down. That is a fact that cannot be denied. Lebron was clearly looking at the future and did not see one for this year IMO. The rest of the Cavaliers laid down right behind him.

The Magic will not give up like they did, but are still beatable if we stick to a working game plan. I am confident we will, Ray and KG may very likely see this as a last chance for them and this group. I am quite sure Paul Pierce would like to redeem himself and this is an opportunity. He will likely be matched up against Matt Barnes, he cant ask for much better can he?

i feel good about this series for some reason...not dreading nearly as much as i did the cavs