Orlando Magic Comeback: 10 Reasons Dwight Howard and Company Could Win East
With their dramatic 24-point comeback over the Miami Heat last night, the Orlando Magic reminded the basketball world that the Eastern Conference playoff picture doesn’t stop at the top three contenders. Just two years removed from an Eastern Conference title, the Magic have what it takes to make another run to the NBA Finals.
Read on for 10 reasons that the Magic could be representing the East again this June.
10. Orlando Is, Improbably, Under the Radar
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The Magic are bidding for their second NBA Finals appearance in three years and trying to convince their star player not to leave in free agency in 2012. And yet, compared to their top competition in the East, the Magic face very little pressure to win this year.
The Heat, of course, are expected to win every game after putting together their fantasy-league roster. The Celtics know their window of opportunity with a veteran team is closing. The Bulls are this season’s media darlings, with their sudden vault to the top of the standings lending credence to Derrick Rose’s MVP campaign.
The Magic, meanwhile, are quietly putting up another terrific season, but they aren’t going to push the panic button if they lose the first game of a series.
9. The Magic Made Their Big Personnel Moves Early
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While other playoff teams have been remaking their rosters at, and even after, the trade deadline, Orlando may benefit from having made its blockbuster trade long before the All-Star break.
By moving Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis early in the season, the Magic allowed plenty of time for Jason Richardson and the rest of their new additions to find their places in the rotation. By the time the playoffs come around, Orlando won’t have any questions about who fits in which role. It remains to be seen whether their opponents can say the same
8. Playoff Seeds Aren't Set Yet
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At this writing, the Magic are 2.5 games behind Chicago for the third seed in the East and 3.5 games behind Miami for the division lead and the second seed.
There’s no reason Orlando (already boasting eight wins in their last 10 games) can’t get hot enough to overtake both teams.
Even the top-seeded Celtics, 5.5 games up on the Magic, aren’t completely out of reach. If Orlando can play their way into either of the top two seeds, they’d have an extra series with home court advantage, which could make all the difference.
7. Orlando Has Terrific Depth
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Where Boston and Miami live and die with their starting lineups, Orlando has strength off the bench. With Gilbert Arenas, J.J. Redick and Ryan Anderson, Orlando has three reserves who are scoring better than 10 ppg on the year.
Even with the likely reduction in bench minutes during the playoffs, the Magic will be glad to have some weapons to bring in when the starters need a breather.
6. Jameer Nelson Shines in the Clutch
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Jameer Nelson may not be an individual star on the level of a Derrick Rose or Rajon Rondo, but he knows how to come through under pressure. Last night’s effort, in which Nelson poured in 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, was just the latest example of his ability to step up when Orlando needs him.
Excluding his injury-shortened 2009 playoff run, Nelson has raised his scoring average in the postseason every year that his teams have made the playoffs.
5. Defense Rules the Playoffs
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For a team with the two-time Defensive Player of the Year in the middle, the Magic aren’t getting as much credit for their defense as you might think. With Boston and Chicago holding the top two spots in the NBA in scoring defense, it’s easy to overlook that Orlando is still a very solid fifth in the league in that category.
Whoever wins the East this year will need to play superior defense and the Magic have proven that they’re ready for that challenge.
4. The Chicago Bulls' Offense Is Too Inconsistent
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Chicago, currently holding the third seed in the east, is clearly a major threat to the Magic in the playoffs. Unlike the other top contenders, though, the Bulls have some serious question marks on the offensive end.
Other than MVP candidate Derrick Rose, the Bulls starting five consists of Carlos Boozer (who disappears for long stretches of games) and three players (Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Keith Bogans) who can’t be counted on to create shots.
When Rose is on his game, the Bulls are tough to beat. When he struggles, as he did in shooting 5-for-21 in Atlanta on Wednesday, Chicago’s offense can be shut down.
3. The Miami Heat Haven't Put It Together Yet
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Last night’s meltdown is just the latest indication that Miami, for all its extraordinary talent, hasn’t yet come together as a team. The addition of Mike Bibby gives them one more piece to try to fit into the puzzle.
While Bibby’s talent is an upgrade over Carlos Arroyo and Mario Chalmers, his presence is just one more reminder that Miami is a collection of players right now, not a team.
Until the Heat proves that they can play together consistently and against playoff-caliber opponents, they won’t be a lock or even a favorite to come out of the East.
2. The Boston Celtics' Trades Hurt Their Matchup with Orlando
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For all that the Boston Celtics may have gained in their trade-deadline maneuvering, they look to have lost some of their edge against the Magic. Center Nenad Krstic, though more of a scoring threat than the departed Kendrick Perkins, lacks Perkins’ quickness and tenacity as a defender and rebounder.
He also lacks Perkins’ extensive experience against Dwight Howard in particular, given that the Celtics have faced the Magic in extended playoff series each of the past two seasons.
Add in the loss of backcourt depth from the departure of Nate Robinson and the Celtics may have sabotaged their chances to knock out Orlando this time around.
1. Dwight Howard
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If Orlando does make it back to the NBA Finals, there’s no question where the credit will (deservedly) go. Dwight Howard has become the premier center in the NBA and in the slow-paced playoffs, a post presence like Howard is a devastating weapon.
Howard’s half-court offensive skills, both one-on-one and in the pick-and-roll, make him one of the most important single players to any team’s playoff chances. His ability to shut down opposing scorers and control the glass will also go a long way toward bringing the Magic another Eastern Conference title.
