Special K

Don't get me wrong, the Celts earned this series...I'm not trying to take anything away from them. KG has always had a problem with Dwight Howard, going back to Howard's rookie year when Garnett was still in Minn. After his first game vs. Howard's idol, KG(which the Magic won BTW), some of the Magic veterans at the time tried to get KG to shake Howard's hand and talk to him, and he flat-out refused--and every game since, he treats Howard with such disrespect(the clubbing of Howard's arm twice on KG's second foul, plus the look on his face at the time, indicate an unfounded hatred for Howard that I just don't get). As for Pierce...he's a great player, but some of the things he did in this series(like his wink and comments after game 2), and his flopping like he was shot by a cannon after every foul just rubs me the wrong way. Stuff like that should be beneath a player of his caliber. Anyway, as I said before, good luck in the Finals as I enter the sports wasteland that is known as the time in between when the NBA ends and the NFL begins.

Congrats on a big win...way to suck it up and win a must-win game at home... I can't say that I have a lot of respect for too many of the players on the Celtics(with the exception of Ray Allen), but I wish you luck(from one Bills fan to another) in the Finals. I've lost a lot of respect for KG in the last year and a half... and I've lost all respect for Paul "actress" Pierce through his actions in this series. The Magic cooked themselves in Game 1 and 2 of this series, but I give them props(excluding Vince Carter) for making a series out of it. All I can say is go Suns, so I actually can have a reason to watch the Finals.

Halfway there, but definitely not living on a prayer!!! The tide of this series is turning--the every other day theory I proposed looks to be proving true!! The old vets looked tired and slow, and many of the bench players ended up injured. The Magic are getting much better looks now than they did early in the seris, and the 3's are falling. Perkins is a whiny little b**ch who complains about every call like he's a superstar--I'm glad to see all that whining finally caught up to him(however, I'm sure the league will rescind one of them so he isn't suspended for game 6). Someone let him know he's not a superstar, he just lucked into playing with a few. All in all, I am happy with the direction this series is headed, and I'm glad the Magic aren't force-feeding the ball to Carter anymore--he's definitely a bit player in the team's success at this point. Tex--you can't hate on the "Polish hammer" like that!! he's just taking his cue from the Celts..you've got to match the toughness your guys bring. The Celts are facing a must-win on Friday as well, because if this thing goes 7, history will be made on Sunday!! GO MAGIC!!!!

I'm looking foward to see what happens tonight. The local paper was really harsh on Vince Carter, so we will see if all the criticism can motivate him to actually show up tonight--but I'm not holding my breath. If the Magic win tonight, it will more likely be in spite of Carter rather than because of Carter. Tonight we will see if the Celts have hit the wall, and if the long layoff in between games was a factor in their game 1-3 success. (A Magic fan can hope, can't he??) Here's to a great game!!

I truly can't think of one positive thing he has done in this series

Tex, you said in an earlier post that you were happy the games would be every other day from this point on, and I think you should re-consider that position. I was actually ticked that the Celts were getting so much time in between games(2 days before game 1, 2 before game 2, 3 before game 3) To me that is one of the few advantages the Magic have for the rest of the series--the Celts vets looked rather tired especially in the 4th and overtime. Vince Carter continues to be worthless, and I was thrilled to see him pulled in crunch time--his defensive deficiencies are maddening, and his shot selection blows. JJ Redick got 33 minutes tonight and he should get 33 more on Wednesday. One Boston team has blown a 3-0 series lead this year--let's make it two!!!(honestly, I'm just happy to not get swept!!)

I think the Magic would be better off with Turk, but his contract demands were too much--he wanted a 6 year contract at 10 million per that would last until he was 36. A 36 year old Turkoglu will not be a 10 million per year player IMO. Keep in mind that Turk didn't do crap in Toronto this year--he chose money over winning--I don't blame the Magic on this one. As for Carter, especially in this series, he makes all of these little mistakes on the defensive end that just add up in the end, and he is too soft to drive to the basket with any consistency(which has been an issue all year). He can't guard Pierce, he can't guard Allen, and he doesn't have a killer instinct--and that shows up the most in the playoffs. At 6' 10", at least Turk had the size to bother Pierce, and Turk is a much better facilitator than Carter. The Magic's plan A was Turk, but they offered him a 3 year contract at $10 million per(rightfully so IMO), and he wanted a longer-term deal which equals more money in his pocket, so the Magic made the move for Carter. At least Carter has an expiring contract next year, so they are only stuck with him one more year, or they can move him for someone who actually cares about being a competitor. I never liked the move for Carter, but Turk made the descision to leave based on $, the Magic did not get rid of him.

Straight up embarassing is all I have to say.....

Don't you just love having about 75 days off in between Game 2 and Game 3 of these series???

Congrats to the Celtics for dismantling my Magic in these two games Even if the Magic somehow found a way to win that game, I would not have been confident in their chances for the series. The Celts D is just clicking on all cylinders right now. Those old coots are playing like they are 25 again. The only enjoyable moment for me was watching that "actress" Paul Pierce laying on the ground after Howard's playoff-caliber foul. Rashard Lewis is a ghost--props to the Celts for making stopping Lewis the number 1 priority. If it does end up being Lakers/Celtics, I won't plan on watching very much of that series--it would be like watching a Patriots/Cowboys Super Bowl

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think JJ Redick needs more minutes guarding Ray Allen. He was great against Allen in the series last year...I was suprised Stan Van didn't go to him earlier. I don't get having Barnes guard Allen instead of Pierce, especially due to the fact that Barnes looked limited because of his sore back--it's really a shame his back is giving him trouble since he is the Magic's best on the ball defender. Why have him running all over the place chasing Allen around?? I do like the Gortat/Howard lineup when Rashard Lewis is on the bench---on the defensive side of the floor, but it does limit them offensively. If the Celts are going to gaurd Howard like that, I think the Magic have to use the drive and kick out ability of Nelson and Carter to get into their 3-point shooting game, instead of the dump it in to Howard and pass out of the double team approach(since there will be no double team.) As you said, game 1 was the most likely game the Magic could lose.....so I think game 2 will be more indicative of the direction of this series...can't wait to see what happens!!!

What really hurt was the 5-6 times he was fouled and couldn't complete the layup for the "and 1" 3 point play. A lot of open shots and easy shots just were not falling for the Magic in that game--I just don't see that trend carrying on to game 2.

Go back into your attic, put your tin-foil hat back on, and cook up some new conspiracy theories---this one has played out.

Fixed it for ya! Good luck.....I think we are in for a great series!!!

I think he's gone, but not to the Knicks. Chicago is the most likely destination, followed by the Nets(ties to Jay-Z, Russian Billionaire owner, move to Brooklyn), followed by the Heat(pair him with D-Wade and Pat Riley comes down to coach), and staying with Cleveland are all options ahead of the Knicks, IMO.

So, does anyone else think Lebron is going to have a monster game, the Cavs will still lose, and his Cavs career ends tonight?

I agreed with you then, and Thursday that prediction will come true! All you can say about that game is wow....what a head-scratcher that Lebron would have such a horrid game in a game that meant so much---and we all know that that group of misfits has no chance against anyone if Lebron plays like that. I wanted Orlando to be the one to take those losers(Especially Shaq) out, but at least a Boston victory would give Orlando home-court advantage in the Conference Finals. Good Luck on Thursday!!

Another series, another sweep! A minimum of 5 days rest before the conference finals....I love it! The only downside: I had tickets to Game 5. You can't ask for more than having your team play at its absolute best in the playoffs. Everyone wants to talk about the Magic's offense, but its been that way for 2-3 years. Its the defense that has turned up several notches and was particularily evident in the Hawks series. If this team can keep playing defense with this much intensity, it will be hard for anyone to beat this team. By the way, for all the crap that Stan Van Gundy gets from the national media, this guy can coach, and is one of the main reasons this team has been deep in the playoffs the past few years---Thank You, Stan Van! I can't wait for the next round so Orlando can continue its "Magical" run!!!

You know this is my sentiment toward the Cavs as well.....go get 'em! After the Magic dispatch the Hawks tomorrow night, we will be well rested, and waiting for ya in the Conference Finals!!

Well, at least the Hawks actually showed up for the game tonight. The 4th quarter is the money quarter, and the Magic took charge when it counts most--great defense in the 4th. Up 2-0! Could I have to get the broom out for the second straight series??

http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/201...ff_schultz_blog

What isn't there to be overconfident and cocky about??? I hope game 1 changes your opinion......obviously they can't all be 40 point blowouts, but expect more of the same in this series......Magic in 4 or 5.

Congrats, Buftex!! I knew your boys would make that a tough series. As much as Cleveland is hyped, they are a one man team with a buch of over-the-hillers and softee's. If Boston can't do the deed, I'm confident Orlando will take 'em out again!!

Dang it.....I was really hoping Milwaukee would close it out tonight, oh well. I'm really not that concerned with either ATL or MIL in the next round for the Magic, but the Bucks would have match-up problems all over the court vs Orlando.