Orlando Quietly Dominating in Preseason

[gar]

Am more concerned about Orlando than Miami. C's Size should help; but Orlando the only team that can match C's depth. Lakers don't come close.

[Roy H.]

I'm not too worried.  Orlando dominated the first eight games of the playoffs last year, too.

[Who]

I read somewhere that Orlando has now won 17 or 18 straight preseason games. Impressive.

[barefacedmonk]

Orlando is definitely a very strong contender. Dwight's offensive game looks better...and if their Rashard at SF and Brandon Bass/Gortat at PF experiment works out...then they will be hard to beat.

[slamtheking]

Orlando is a good team.  probably have the second best record in the conference this year again.  even with that, they won't beat the C's if they meet in the playoffs.  The run the C's had last year has convinced me no one will beat them when the playoffs come around no matter how the opposition did in the regular season.

[gar]

Orlando is definitely a very strong contender. Dwight's offensive game looks better...and if their Rashard at SF and Brandon Bass/Gortat at PF experiment works out...then they will be hard to beat.

Redick came on in the playoffs. Bass, Lewis and Anderson have had strong starts; but the C's have better size at PF. There is also no way that Jameer and Chris Duhon can stay with Rondo and Nate.

[Jon]

Aside from what everyone else has said, they're also the team with the least turnover.  We've had to figure out how we're going to handle both O'Neals as well as how to fully incorporate Nate, Marquis, and Delonte. 

Plus, how many times in all sports have we seen teams dominate the preseason and suck in the regular season?  I'm not saying that Orlando is going to suck, but I'm saying that the preseason is a horrific barometer.  It all comes down to how much a team play its starters AND how much the opposition plays there.  Some teams just get lucky (see Philly the other day, when we didn't play any of our starters).

I wouldn't read too much into it.  That doesn't mean that you're wrong about Orlando though.  It just means that the preseason means nothing. 

[GreenEnvy]

I read somewhere that Orlando has now won 17 or 18 straight preseason games. Impressive.

Eh, more like lucky.

Winning 17 or 18 straight in the regular season is impressive.

Look at some the guys that see minutes in the preseason.

Doc Rivers said he rather purposely lose a game than go into OT. Most teams do not care about the final score, just the way certain lineups look or how well certain players execute plays. Then there are the players trying to make the team.

[footey]

I like our chances against them.  Vince Carter? Please.

[barefacedmonk]

Orlando is definitely a very strong contender. Dwight's offensive game looks better...and if their Rashard at SF and Brandon Bass/Gortat at PF experiment works out...then they will be hard to beat.

Redick came on in the playoffs. Bass, Lewis and Anderson have had strong starts; but the C's have better size at PF. There is also no way that Jameer and Chris Duhon can stay with Rondo and Nate.

Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Marcin Gortat and Dwight to start the game...thats some serious length. I'm not saying we won't be able to beat Orlando..I'm just worried that if that line up works for them then we could have some trouble.

[GreenEnvy]

Orlando is definitely a very strong contender. Dwight's offensive game looks better...and if their Rashard at SF and Brandon Bass/Gortat at PF experiment works out...then they will be hard to beat.

Redick came on in the playoffs. Bass, Lewis and Anderson have had strong starts; but the C's have better size at PF. There is also no way that Jameer and Chris Duhon can stay with Rondo and Nate.

Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Marcin Gortat and Dwight to start the game...thats some serious length. I'm not saying we won't be able to beat Orlando..I'm just worried that if that line up works for them then we could have some trouble.

We are bigger than them with KG, JO, Shaq and Perk. Lewis at the 3 takes away what made them difficult to guard. Put him at SF and he is just another shooter. He dragged players like KG out to the perimeter and opened up the lane. He is faster than most PF in the league, but mediocre for a SF. He won't be able to penetrate nearly as effectively, but he can still work the post.

By going big, that makes them even easier to guard. Pierce can guard Lewis, even if he is giving up 3+ inches. KG can pretty much guard anyone, and we have 4 guys that can guard Dwight (Perk, Shaq, Baby, JO).

I am really not worried about Orlando. Not until they prove they are a better team than last year, and I don't believe they are.

[houlana]

I think we match up better with this new orlando lineup.

having gortat alongside howard will hurt them on offense. that is one less shooter to worry about.

[pearljammer10]

I mean the Celtics arent 6 - 1 in the preseason without playing their starters big minutes or anything are they? I'd say thats fairly dominate in its own.

[Greenbean]

I like our chances against them.  Vince Carter? Please.

Yup...serious decilne last year only going to get worse. Rashard Lewis isnt young either and neither of these guys have ever played any defense

[nba is the worst]

I read somewhere that Orlando has now won 17 or 18 straight preseason games. Impressive.

Nice!