Why The Orlando Magic Are Prepared For A Deep Playoff Run

Year after year, passionate fans oscillate back and forth between ecstasy and agony as their teams rise and fall throughout the season.

As the NBA approaches enters the homestretch, fans of its playoff teams are calculating not only the seeding of their favorite teams, but also the probabilities of prolonged success in the 2011 NBA playoffs. 

At its core, the NBA is a game of match-ups and it's this factor that usually makes or breaks a team's chance at winning a playoff series.

The 2010-2011 season has been an exceptionally wild roller-coaster ride for Magic fans and players alike.

Beginning with a blockbuster December trade, Magic fans have been subjected to nonstop speculation, and knee-jerk reaction by the headline-seeking media. Every game is either a glimmer of hope for success stemming from a much-needed overhaul, or proof that the Magic are fundamentally flawed and are destined to lose Dwight Howard in 2012.

However, as one compares the Orlando Magic roster, experience and coaching capabilities with the other teams, one can see that there are at least four very good reasons to predict that the Magic will have significant playoff success this postseason.

The first, and most obvious reason is Dwight Howard.

Facing off with the Atlanta Hawks in the first round would allow Howard to flex his considerable muscle and dominate the series.

The Hawks simply don't have a player, or double-team combo, that can defend him.

The second reason the Magic will have success this postseason is their considerable roster flexibility.

In 2009 the Orlando Magic defeated the seemingly unbeatable Cleveland Cavaliers by exploiting multiple favorable match-ups throughout the series.

And seem poised to repeat this kind of success this year.

If the Magic face the Bulls in the second round, they will get a heavy dose of Ryan Anderson at the four, pulling Carlos Boozer out of the paint and forcing him to defend at the perimeter. Which in turn, frees up Howard to pull down an abundance of offensive rebounds by out-muscling Joakim Noah. 

The Celtics gave up their biggest edge against the Magic by shipping out Kendrick Perkins and Semih Erden at the trade deadline. Is Kevin Garnett enough to dominate in the paint?

The third indicator of playoff success for the Magic is their experience.

Only the Celtics and the Lakers have won more playoff series the three years. Mix in the Magic's ability to win ugly with defense and you have yourself a formidable foe.

The fourth and final reason for Magic for postseason success is Stan Van Gundy.

The Magic coach is an adept game-planner and in-game tactician. Night in and night out, the Magic are one of the best prepared teams in the NBA. If he's able to take over a playoff series, then they will be able to make another deep run.

While the Magic may not be in the driver's seat in the 2011 playoffs, thanks to superior roster flexibility, Howad's elite play and elite coaching, the Magic has the ability to enter every series with the expectation of winning.