Time to preview the 2010 Orlando Magic
Music to listen to: Shoot, Pass, Slam by Shaquille OโNeill
Not only does this serve as a good music to listen to but it also serves as my first memory of the team. Two segments for this post done already, gotta love that.
I can make the argument that Shaq is/was the best athlete/musician ever? Thoughts?
Last season/offseason changes: After reaching the NBA finals the year before, the Magic finished last year with a record of 59-23, which was good enough to finish second in the Eastern conference.
The Magic proceeded to sweep both Charlotte and Atlanta before running into Boston in the conference finals and getting bounced out of the playoffs by the Celtics.
This past offseason, the Magic said goodbye to Matt Barnes, which isnโt a significant loss because Orlando was still able to retain the services of JJ Redick and bring in backup point guard Chris Duhon and Quentin Richardson to take over Barnesโ role.
So in essence, you can say that the Magic are even better on paper this season than last year and that squad won nearly 60 games.
Strength: There arenโt many teams that can match the size of the Magic, especially at center with Dwight Howard. Heโs mentioned prominently later in the post so Iโll save him for later.
The Magic have one of the most efficient inside and outside games in the NBA. Between point guard Jameer Nelson and forwards Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter, the Magic have outside shooters if you include Redick who can each hit perimeter shots with frequency.
Orlando is also one of the best defenses in the league and this allows the Magic to still be competitive in contests when the outside shots arenโt falling.
Weakness: The post play of Dwight Howard.
Heโs an excellent player, especially on the defensive end with his rebounding and shot blocking.
However, his offensive game is lacking and the Celtics exposed this greatly in the playoffs last season. Boston didnโt double team Howard when he got the ball in the post and this allowed the rest of the Celticsโ defense to stay on the outside shooters, in essence killing the Magic offense.
Howard saw this and spent the summer working on his post moves with Hakeem Olajuwon. The video is below for viewing:
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Some haters out there are saying that he is imitating Kobe Bryant who has done this in the past, but at least Howard is making an effort.
Heโs not going to become a top post man offensively over one summer but this is a good step. I just wish he did this three or four years ago because if he did, right now he would be unstoppable.
Most important player: Its Lewis. While Howard was taking the most heat from the Boston series, Lewis didnโt show up as well, being virtually useless on offense.
Heโs one of the highest paid players in the NBA and needs to earn his money if the Magic are going to return to the Finals.
Celebrity crush from the city: Iโve always had a thing for Mandy Moore so she gets the nod here.
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Coaching: Stan Van Gundy is easy to make fun of between his body language, facial hair, wardrobe, voice and general personality.
However, donโt let that fool you because heโs one of the best coaches in the NBA. Heโs won at a high level at two franchises and transformed the Magic into one of the top teams in the league the last five years.
The weaknesses of the Magic arenโt really in his control.
His real work will come in the playoffs.
First memory of team: It was all about Shaq and Penny Hardaway, who has been forgotten over time but he was the closest thing to Magic Johnson that the league had ever seen.
Itโs a shame Pennyโs career didnโt pan out completely.
Best case: NBA champions
Worst case: Losing in the second-round of the playoffs.
Uniform grade: They have moved on from the black road uniforms that used to be worn in the beginning of the franchiseโs existence. Now, they have been going with the light blue. Excellent upgrade. Grade: B
Overall outlook: The Magic are clearly the class of the Southeast division and will contend to have one of the best records in the NBA.
The true question is what happens when they get Miami or Boston in the playoffs.
Those are my thoughts, what about yours?
2010 Backdoor Cut Previews:
Atlantic Division
Central Division
Southeast
The Sports Inquirer 
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