OZZY

Right away take every single thing that happened during the year against these two teams and throw it out the window! Because Detroit have never played the Magic with Gordan and Drew on the team, they joined the team three games after they played their last game against the Pistons.


Ok first Ben Wallace will play in the series so that is not a good thing. I was thinking it would almost be better to play Detroit instead of New Jersey because Big Ben was out but that is not the case.

Matchups

PG Armstrong, Vaughn, Whitney vs. Billups, Atkins

Advantage goes to Detroit, Billups has have a wonderful year and his size could kill the Magic just like Baron did last year. But we might be able to penetrate against Billups also.


SG McGrady, Sasser vs. Hamilton, Barry, Curry, Davis

Advantage obviously goes with Orlando, Detroit will match McGrady will Curry a lot I think, but when he is on Hamilton he can take him on offense and should be able to slow him down on defense. Detroit is much deeper at the position but McGrady is the leading scorer in the Association.

SF Giricek, Garrity vs. Williamson, Prince

Advantage goes to Orlando just by alittle. Williamson is going to cause trouble because of his size, but Gordan and Pat are wonderful shooters, and Gordan is a very dangerous offensive player.

PF Gooden, Kemp vs. Wallace, Robinson

Advantage Detroit, Wallace will kill the Magic on defense are in the paint. But many Gooden can score some points and get easy offense by running the court on the slower Wallace. But Robinson can also switch to the C and that can be dangerous as well. But Gooden must have a huge series.

C DeClercq, Hunter, Burke, Kemp vs. Okur, Robinson, Rebraca

Advantage Detroit, Okur is very talented and really we have no one with that kind of low post game. And Rebraca could be a sleeper players as well. The Magic centers can get some rebounds but that is about it. If they get a offensive game and Kemp has a good offensive series that would be great.




We are going up against a team with a great front court that can really play defense. But our advantage is on offense. Gooden did have 21 points against the Pistons when he was at Memphis. And if the Magic can take advantage of his speed on offense and if he can hold his own down low they have a good chance.

The keys are first McGrady must control Hamilton, he has had huge games against us and really he is their most consistent offensive player. And since we can't really shut down Billups we must shut down Hamilton. And our bigs have to play they way they have been playing. Stay aggressive, get those rebounds.

If the big three of McGrady, Giricek and Gooden preform to the best of their abilities, and if the Magic get scoring from Kemp and Armstrong they have a shot at beating the Pistons. And remember just because we are the 8th seed, doesn't mean we are the worst team.




Tracy it is time to show that you are the best player in the Eastern Conference!

Pinball

More importantly Oz what is your boy KG going to do against the Lakeshow?

JNice

I'm afraid for KG it is 7 in a row. So unlucky after having such a great year, but they arent going to beat LA.

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OZZY

I posted my view on the Lakers vs. Wolves series on the Wolves board....


Now back to the Magic and the Pistons!

JNice

I think this is the best matchup Orlando could have hoped for. They have nobody who can guard Tmac... Wallace is coming off an injury... They have good bigs, much better than Orlando's, but they aren't that great.

I'd like to see Tmac lockup Rip Hamilton, although I would bet Giricek starts on him. Giri should be able to put up good numbers getting to the hole on Hamilton.

Tmac will avg around 33 for the series.

I think Orlando wins in 6.

If we can get out of the first round, they might give the rest of the guys on the team enough confidence to help Tmac take the team to the Finals.

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thegza

Here's a list of what we need to do:

Tracy McGrady needs to lead this team for the first time! This man needs to shut the hell up and play the best ball he's ever done. I swear if he does something dumb again this season I'm done with this. T-Mac needs to play his game and stop worrying about the media. It made him force shots and play for himself rather then the team last season with the Hornets. He'll need to average around 33 ppg, 7-8 rpg and 7 apg if we want to win this series. T-Mac will have to carry us and play like an MVP, if he can't do this against the Pistons who have no one to guard him then maybe this guy is a chump!

Gordan Giricek has to have confidence in himself. This man is going to be the main factor of this series if we want to even think about winning! He has to create his shots and drive to the basket like he's been doing ever since he moved down to Orlando. He can step up with the 3 pt shots, he can get the jump shots, create for others and drive to the basket and get the foul. He's got the tools and needs to use them.

Darell Armstrong! This energizer bunny cannot just be the regular DA we've seen this season just dishing it out. He's going to have to bring in some points like he did back in his day- Shawn Kemp will also have to come off the bench and be a low post presence which I think he can be against the Pistons if Ben Wallace isn't healthy. Steven Hunter and Drew Gooden, well Gooden can bring us a double-double but hopefully get those 18-22 ppg nights like he did when he had just came and maybe Hunter can bring solid 10 ppg, 5 blocks, 6-8 rebounds like he did about a week ago in the Pacers game.


I'm passionate about this off-season, I've had enough! This is the easiest matchup we've had ever since McGrady signs and if we have another 1st round exit.. god knows what I will do!


GO ORLANDO MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JNice

I think you are being a little hard on Tmac. Garnett is headed for 7 straight first round outs, but he might win MVP this season. Tmac can only do so much... he cannot win a series all by himself, especially against the number one team in the East.

It isn't going to be easy with a 21 yr old rookie, 21 yr old center, and a 25 yr old rookie being the other key cogs.

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thegza

You're totally right, Dee Bo. I was a little excited about the playoffs when I just post that, I think you know what I mean. But, I think so highly of this guy and really think him and us in general should get past the first round.

JNice

I think the key to the series is Giricek. Gooden and Hunter are so young and are going to make their mistakes, but Giricek has got to play well.

It seems to me that Giricek plays better with Gooden on the court... those two seem to have some chemistry playing together, so i'm glad Gooden is healthy, or at least healthy enough to play.

Tmac is good enough to win a game or two by himself, but he can't win all of them by himself.

I hope we beat them and Ben Wallace IS healthy.. I dont want us to beat them and people have the excuse that Wallace was hurt. I'd rather us beat them at full strength.

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thegza

I think the key was for T-Mac to atleast get 30 in Game 7. I am so dissapointed in McGrady yet again..