Comments on: You Are Now Coach of the Magic…

By: Caleb

Caleb — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:27:57 +0000

The teams seem pretty close to even – the Magic’s D is way underrated – but I sure don’t see them winning 4 out of 5 at this point. They’re toast.

By: Mike K. (KnickerBlogger)

Mike K. (KnickerBlogger) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:04:53 +0000

Gorky – after it happened I thought what stones it took to draw that up. If Hedo throws that ball a foot less the Magic wins.

On Orlando’s side they were right there, but on the other side you can’t give up those kinds of opportunities and expect to win a 7 game series.

By: Owen

Owen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:31:31 +0000

“it was close, but the first half was dreadfully played, the lowest scoring first quarter in Finals history.”

Yeah, missed the first half….

The Magic had a lot of opportunities to win. Totally agree re Alston, was painful to watch how hard it was for Turk to get the ball across halfcourt and get into their sets. But Alston couldn’t hit a shot and didn’t look likely to do so.

I was surprised to see Redick out there so much. Didn’t seem to be helping out there. He just isn’t a ballhandler, as you say, and had a horrible turnover which led to a Fisher fast break and two foul shots.

Orlando is definitely one player away, it’s rough that Nelson isn’t healthy, because he is that player…

By: Gorky

Gorky — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:46:25 +0000

You know what was amazing? The inbounds play SVG drew up at the end of regulation for Courtney Lee. Unfortunately, Hedo overthrew the pass a bit and Lee couldn’t finish.

By: Mike K. (KnickerBlogger)

Mike K. (KnickerBlogger) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:29:52 +0000

Looks like Stan Van Gundy made a few adjustments. The Gortat/Howard combo, and JJ Redick for nearly 30 minutes. I thought the Gortat/Howard alignment was a little unnecessary, unless he was trying to send a message to his team about rebounding. I liked the move with Redick – and JJ got a lot of open looks. Unfortunately he had a bad shooting night.

And it looks like they’re about to ditch Alston as well. Turkoglu ran the offense for most of the second half. Skip has shot awful this series 3- 17 so far, and the offense is sputtering in his hands. Although Orlando better find someone to bring up the ball. Between Redick and Turk, you won’t find two outmatched players athletically to bring the ball up. (Turk has to forearm the ball up the court with Ariza hounding him). I think they should start Nelson – or at least give him a try. Can’t hurt the way Alston is playing.

By: jon abbey

jon abbey — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:53:58 +0000

“This is a really really good game”

it was close, but the first half was dreadfully played, the lowest scoring first quarter in Finals history.

By: Ted Nelson

Ted Nelson — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:14:35 +0000

I’ve been so unimpressed with the refs all playoffs.

I’m not saying Finals experience makes a huge difference over the course of a 7 game series (although I’m sure it doesn’t hurt), but I have to at least entertain it as part of the explanation for why Orlando came out so flat in game 1 and the Lakers came out on fire. After tonight’s game I have to believe it was something mental.

By: Owen

Owen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:40:49 +0000

And Kobe, the “closer” gets stuffed by Hedo on a last second shot, my happiness is complete….

By: Owen

Owen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:32:05 +0000

Wow, unreal shot by Turkoglu, one of the worst shots I have seen him put up in a while, step back fadeaway with his foot on the three point line. Nothing but net of course.

And Redick stroked a three also…

This is a really really good game, although the refs have put their imprint on it with some very dubious foul calls….

By: Owen

Owen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:13:56 +0000

Great game here, love it. Rashard Lewis isn’t missing many opportunities, while the broadcast team per usual is missing even fewer chances to talk about Kobe Bryant….

Very interesting to see the Magic run Gortat and Howard out there at the same time, however briefly, that’s something I can’t remember seeing all season, they in fact have only played 22 minutes this year….