Magic Tricks
Much of the talk in the league has been about the new-look Celtics and their dominance in the early part of the season, but another East Coast team sporting some additions, is off to a torrid start also. The Orlando Magic currently have a shocking 6 game lead in their division, and are only a half of a game shy of having the best record in the league with 16 wins and 4 losses. The defending champs, San Antonio, have a record of 16-3. Last year, the team got off to a fast start also, running off a 14-5 record before crashing and burning as the season progressed, and ending up with a 40-42 record.
What’s even more impressive about this start is that, according to an article by Jack McCallum in Sports Illustrated, out of 51 days of the season so far, 32 of them have been spent on the road…including a trip to China to top off the preseason. Even more so, the team is still finding itself with a new coach, a new superstar, and a young team. The team is balanced, and has lots of nice parts. Dwight Howard is a force in the middle, averaging over 23 ppg and 15 rebounds. The newest addition, Rashard Lewis is giving them 19 and 5. PG Jameer Nelson has finally come into his own in the league and is adding 12.5 ppg and dishing off over 6 times.
The youth movement in Florida is underway, but the team does lack playoff experience, and veteran leadership. Lewis is a 9 year vet, but having been exiled in the basketball hinterlands of the Pacific Northwest for his career hasn’t lent to much big game experience. For now, though, the team’s desire to just make the playoffs seems like a good start, and an achievable goal. If the Magic keep up this level of play for the season, just making the playoffs might be too little to shoot for.
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