Special K

Congrats to the Lakers....you played a great series, and deserve the Championship. I'd also like to say thank you to the Magic for a wonderful playoff run. My team grew up throughout these playoffs, and became a stronger team before my eyes. The experience gained this year can only be beneficial to this young team, and hopefully, they will have the opportunity to hold that Championship trophy in the future!! Here's to the Magic!!!!!

I agree with you on this, but I don't think they should change the starting lineup to do so. Adding a physical big man that can come off the bench when the situation calls for it is the way to go, IMO. However, one of the rumors down here is that if a deal cannot be reached with Turk, a sign-and-trade deal will be the way in which Turk leaves the Magic.

I agree that the Magic have been excruiatingly close to winning the last two games that they have lost, but when you are in the Finals and considered the underdog in the series, you absolutely have to make those end of game plays. You just can't give a team who believes they are the better team and deserves to win the series a chance to take those games away from you, because they will take it. As for Turk, I think he will be able to get more money going elsewhere, but I don't think he could be in a better situation as far as the offensive system matching his skill-set then he is right here in Orlando. He is due to get $7.3 million next year if he doesn't opt out of the final year of his contract, and I don't know how much higher per-year the Magic are willing(or able) to go in a contract extension, but I hope they can work one out and keep this core group together for Championship runs over the next few years(Howard, Nelson, Lewis, all under contract for 5 more years).

It sure was, and that really hurt.......it sucks to watch your team work so hard and then just give it away.....I'm too down to comment further right now.......

The all-important Game 4 is almost upon us.....I'm anxious to see if the Magic can get back in this series tonight. What gives me confidence is the way the Magic won Game 3...they got balanced scoring, and two players who had a horrible first 2 games(Alston/Pietrus) broke through and were major contributors. Lets go Magic, ride the wave of the home crowd(It kills me that I couldn't get any Finals tickets), keep hitting your shots, and even this thing up tonight!!! GO MAGIC!!!!!

Yes!! It feels great to finally get a win in this series! The Magic hit their shots tonight, and Kobe had a "non-Kobe" second half. This team never quits..they have had to regroup time after time in the playoffs, and they just keep coming back. I only wish that Courtney Lee made that lay-up in game 2....what could have been. I'm not giving up, and if the Magic win Game 4, you never know........I certainly will never count out my Magic!!!! Lets turn one win into two, then 3, then.............. BEAT LA! BEAT LA! BEAT LA! GO MAGIC!!!!!

I hope you are right...the Magic have to get back in this series tonight. I'm interested to see the rotation Stan Van is going to employ...he threw some lineups out there in game 2 that they never had on the floor together all year long... Hopefully, those open shots they are getting will be going in tonight and the Magic will come out on top!!! GO MAGIC!!

That just killed me.....I was watching the play develop, and it was so perfect.....I was already jumping in the air in celebration....that had to go in. The best part was that it was Kobe that blew the defensive assignment, plus he got blocked the possession before....it would have changed the direction of the series, IMO. At least the Magic started to hit their shots in the second half, but toward the end of regulation, a few wide open shots were missed that might have put the game away...tough one to swallow.

The 2-3-2 format means that Game 6 and 7 will be in L.A.....That's a big advantage...If it was a 2-2-1-1-1 series, I would be more inclined to agree with you. Plus, the team that wins the first two games in this format win the series 96% of the time...I don't want to go up against those odds.

Time to get ready for Game 2! I hope the Magic can hit their shots tonight...they absolutely need this game to have a chance to win this series. I'd be very disapppointed if we see a second straight blowout...I'm counting on Stan Van to make the necessary adjustments and have this team ready to go tonight. GO MAGIC!!!!

First of all, let me say that Jameer Nelson is my favorite player on the Magic. I was surprised with how much he played as well. It was obvious that he kept himself in good condition--easier to do with a shoulder injury than a leg injury, I guess. In truth, Jameer is the emotional leader of this team, and I believe that the other players wanted him out there just as much as he wanted to be out there--this is a tight-knit group. He blossomed into a top-tier player this year, and having someone like him on the court, with his talent plus the intangibles he brings, it could never hurt. Like Mark Jackson said--With a player of his talent, he has to be out there all the way, or not at all.

Well, that was a tough one. I looked to me that the shots were there, but the Magic just couldn't buy a basket. As everyone keeps saying....live by the 3, die by the 3.....you can figure out which one applies to this game. It's a long series, and the Magic are better than they played tonight. It was nice to see Jameer out there...I was impressed with his performance after 4 months off. It was a lone bright spot. Hopefully, this game got the jitters out for the young Magic, and they can have a more consistent prformance in Game 2.

I don't know why, but I have a really good feeling about this game tonight. Here's to hoping the Magic can make this the third series in a row in which they win Game 1 on the road!!!! BTW, one of the local stations down here just reported that Jameer Nelson will not play tonight.

On a side note, I bet that Cavs fans are getting sick and tired of seeing that Yankee cap on his head. The not shaking hands thing was one thing, but not talking to the media after the game was a bad move...then his "apology" the next day made it even worse. "Not shaking hands with the people who just beat you is not bad sportsmanship."......actually thats kind of exactly what it is. DISCLAIMER: I am a Magic fan, so maybe I'm a little biased.

It was great.......Ferrell was funny, but he took it seriously as well. I wonder if this was a one time thing, or if Bear will be doing this again with another celeb? Who would you guys want to see out there in the wilderness?

I can't wait for tomorrow...its gonna be a great series..........GO MAGIC!! Good luck to you John, and look at it this way: If either the Magic or the Lakers win, at least one Bills fan will be happy and able to celebrate a Championship!!

I hope you are just humoring him for entertainment value......he sure does take his delusions seriously, doesn't he?

Lucky you! She may need some consolation after losing today's match.

Hey Beerball, since you have the power, could you go ahead and "ordain" the Magic winning in 5 games? That would be great!

Do the Lakers really have anyone who can consistently guard Dwight without a double team? If Bynum and Gasol get into foul trouble guarding Dwight, then what do they do? The Lakers are much better talent-wise than the Cavs, but I think they will have some of the same matchup problems vs. Orlando.

GO MAGIC!!!! What a great night!!!! I certainly did not expect a blowout, but it sure made for a fun evening at the arena!! I'm surprised to hear that LeBron blew off the media after the game...but I can understand his frustration. There was nothing the Cavs could do to stop Dwight and his 3-point assassins tonight!!! Starting a series on the road is nothing new for the Magic...they have won Game 1 on the road in the last 2 series and I hope they can make that 3 series in a row on Thursday. This is going to be one hell of a series, and I'm sure everyone will be counting out the Magic once again, but I hope they can continue to shock the world.....I can't wait!!!!

Cool....it will be a fun matchup for sure. I can't wait either.............looking foward to tomorrow.....i'll be at the game, and I want to see my Magic move on to the finals for the first time since 1995!! GO MAGIC!!!!

Congrats to you and the Lakers, but please tell me you didn't say "Go Orlando" because you think it will be an easier series for the Lakers.

Me too........I hate to pass up an opportunity to see me some Ana Ivanovic..... I'm more interested in the Nadal/Federer matchup at Wimbledon rather than at the French.

And I can't change it back now, because it would have the same effect as when I changed it the first time!