Detroit Pistons are wearing down the Orlando Magic in NBA playoffs

Everyone has to agree that this has been a very exciting 2007-2008 season. Otis Smith made some gutsy decisions leading up to the start of this season, and we the fans have been given hope for a bright future. NBA playoff basketball is much different than the regular season, everyone has to agree. We should be proud of our team that Otis has assembled and their quick rise to success. Rasheed is probably right that the Magic may be just a few seasons from 'premier team' status in the Eastern Conference. We want that now, and Tuesday night in Detroit will pit us against a true 'Elite Team' in the NBA. We must get through Detroit and learn our valuable lessons along the way.

Believe me, Van Gundy would take the fine if it would make a difference, but it wouldn't. HA!

Doesn't matter what he says, Stu Jackson (our boss) has got our (the refs) backs.

The Pistons aren't "wearing down" the Magic, they just want to win more than our team does. The team that wants to win doesn't let a halftime lead of 15 dwindle to a loss at the end of the game. I suggested a long time ago if we got away from guaranteed salaries and went to a "pay for performance" system, we would not have these collapses during the game like we saw at the last miserable game. The Magic simpley "tossed" that game away in the 2nd half.

You want performance? We win, I pay you. We lose, you pay me. I don't pay for "potential" I pay for performance. I pay for scores, I pay for outsetanding rebounds and I pay for outstanding defense. You sleepwalk or commit one turnover after another or miss easy shots, you not only don't get paid, you pay me a fine. Let's see how that works.

Aunt Minnie Pearl wrote:

The Pistons aren't "wearing down" the Magic, they just want to win more than our team does. The team that wants to win doesn't let a halftime lead of 15 dwindle to a loss at the end of the game. I suggested a long time ago if we got away from guaranteed salaries and went to a "pay for performance" system, we would not have these collapses during the game like we saw at the last miserable game. The Magic simpley "tossed" that game away in the 2nd half.
You want performance? We win, I pay you. We lose, you pay me. I don't pay for "potential" I pay for performance. I pay for scores, I pay for outsetanding rebounds and I pay for outstanding defense. You sleepwalk or commit one turnover after another or miss easy shots, you not only don't get paid, you pay me a fine. Let's see how that works.

You've got a point. Stand in the hallway after a game - the players leave the arena happy and goofing around whether we've won or lost. Watching them, you wouldn't know the outcome of the game. Not so with the coaches, especially Van Gundy. You can definitely tell by his demeanor whether we've won or lost.

If by wearing down you mean imposing their will-your're right. We have seen over the years that it takes more than tallent to win a championship. What works through the regular season doesn't necessarily translate in the playoffs. Right now the Magic are a pretty one dimensional offense and if Detroit maintains good defensive rotation they will continue to loose. That's because Detroit has a long commitment to play defense straight up-in other words if you cannot play your assignment straight up-you cannot be a Piston. You see Orlando doubling Rasheed a lot-won't get you what you want because every Piston can make the shot to beat you. Further, the Pisons will exploit every one on one matchup weakness you have. This is the first game they ran their motion offense against Orlando-you had no answer. Defensively the team is too weak-cannot handle the one-on-one, offensively too one dimensional and your success depends on the Pisotns getting lazy and not your execution.

We need to trade Turkoglu to Toronto for Calderon. We need a 1 who values the ball and can run a pick and roll with Dwight. Turk is careless with the ball, & a mediocre defender. Putting JJ in there will make up for lost points from Turk.

Bob Rockledge wrote:

We need to trade Turkoglu to Toronto for Calderon. We need a 1 who values the ball and can run a pick and roll with Dwight. Turk is careless with the ball, & a mediocre defender. Putting JJ in there will make up for lost points from Turk.

I'll tell you, Calderon is on my wish list this off-season. A 6'4" point guard who is an assist guy. I'd hate to give up Hedo though. Jose Calderon is a free agent, so maybe we could get him without giving up Hedo.

With what money? I continue to be surprised by all the optimism about the "future" of the Magic. Don't you guys realize your GM has crippled your team financially and you won't have the money to attract the quality players you will need to fill in the holes that your team obviously has? Are you relying on the weather to attract players?