R-E-S-P-E-C-T the Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic get no respect in the Eastern Conference.  If you turn it on ESPN and the conversation is the East, only Cleveland, Boston, and Detroit are being mentioned as head turners in the East.

P.S: I did show respect some respect in my Eastern Conference Predictions, but I didn't have them going all the way.

I, personally, don't see anything so special about the Cavs other than one gifted player.

The Celtics and Pistons sure do show that they should be up there in a stratosphere above all others, (ex: The Celtics dominating end to the Rockets win streak) but I believe that the Magic should be in the conversation.

They have one of the best centers in the game, Dwight Howard, and the outside threat in Hedo Turkoglu.

Howard grabs more rebounds than any other player in the NBA, 14.4 rpg, and scores even more, 21.7 ppg, and leads the Magic in both catagories.

Turkoglu is a cult-hero in Orlando, he is extremely well known by the fans that adore the Magic, but little is known about him by the outside world.  He is a good shooter and decent defender.

Rashard Lewis knocks down a nice little 18.6 ppg and grabs 5.3 rpg.

Jameer Nelson plays respectibly with just over 10 ppg and about 3.5 rpg. 

Looking ahead for the Magic, they have a tough road through the end of the month, but if they can make it out alive, they have a cake-walk through April, possibly going undefeated.

They get to prey on the lowly 76ers, Bucks, Bulls, Knicks, Hawks, and Timberwolves through the rest of the season.  The only games that I can see legitemately lost are against the Spurs, Wizards, and Hornets.

Coach Stan Van Gundy (you know, the one who didn't get run out of Houston last year) has got to be proud of what he has done with a team that nobody expected much from this year.

So sit up and recognize the Orlando Magic, they are for real, and they could just knock out your sure-thing come playoff time.

I'm Joe W.