(Author's note, this article was originally published at www.aarontorres-sports.com.  To read Aaron's Western Conference Finals preview, please click here)

When Charles Barkley opens his mouth, you pause, stop what you’re doing, and listen.  Just like when Warren Buffett talks about the economy or Bill Clinton gushes about his time in the oval office, it is must see TV.

After recently being challenged to a push-up contest by a female producer on TNT, Barkley simply replied that the only thing a woman could beat him at was “cooking and cleaning.” 

And last fall when Barkley was charged with a DUI, his excuse for driving intoxicated was that he was on his way to get oral sex from a woman. 

The NBA: Where Caring Happens!

Essentially there is nothing that Barkley won’t say, so I am rarely surprised at what comes out of his mouth. 

But Sir Charles threw me a curve ball Sunday night, picking the Orlando Magic to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Cricket, cricket.

His studio mates, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber, looked befuddled, as if he had just threatened to blow up TNT’s studios.  Smith asked Barkley something we were all thinking when he said, “You mean in basketball?” 

Even Barkley seemed taken a little aback at his own comments.  He looked over his notes for a second time like a straight “A” student that had just received the first “B” of his academic career, unsure how to react.

Confused but confident, Barkley reiterated his statement. “Yeah, I like the Magic.”

At first I just shrugged it off as Barkley being Barkley, trying to be controversial and different to drum up interest in the series, which will be aired entirely on TNT.

But then I sat down and thought about it. 

I thought about the fact that the Magic beat Cleveland twice in Orlando, including a 116-87 drubbing a little over a month ago. 

And how they beat the Lakers twice this season. 

And how, because of their depth and athleticism, the Magic could give Cleveland big-time matchup problems, forcing the Cavaliers' guards play big, and their big guys play small. 

Charles might actually be on to something here!

The Orlando Magic can absolutely beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Now will they?  That’s another story.

Cleveland comes into the series having won all eight playoff games by double digits. They're hotter than Seth Rogen’s acting career. 

It was this recent domination that left Johnson, Smith, and Webber befuddled in TNT’s studios Sunday night. And it has all started with MVP LeBron James.

But outside of the King, Cleveland certainly has their flaws, all of which the Magic can take advantage of.

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