1. Home Court Advantage
Orlando only needs to win one game on the road. If the Magic can rally behind their crowd and win their home games, they really only have one difficult game ahead of them in hostile territory. The home games are not given victories, as Boston stole the first two home games from the Magic, but if the Magic start thinking and playing like the monster of a team that they were in the regular season, they have a good chance of maximizing their home court advantage and winning the series. The Magic were 34-7 at home in the regular season, so the home court advantage could definitely be a big factor for them to come back.
2. Physical Youth
It's dangerous to concentrate too much on the effect of age on players, but the Magic have fresher legs both because of age and because of the long rests between the first two series. They are more equipped to handle a long, grueling series because of younger players and (in my opinion), a deeper bench. As long as the Magic are in the game mentally, they should start winning the 50/50 balls and hustle plays.
3. Re-energized Stars
It's no secret that Orlando's star players like Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, and Jameer Nelson underperformed the first three games of the series. In game 4, Dwight went 32-16 with 4 blocks, Rashard got his first double-digit scoring game against the Celtics this series with 13 points, and Jameer Nelson finished right below a double-double with 23 points and 9 assists. If Orlando's stars continue playing stars, I have no doubt that they'll have a chance to win every game they have left. The one big question mark for me is Vince Carter. He's the only player the Magic have that can truly create for himself, and if he doesn't perform, the Celtics will be able to defend the Magic much more easily.
Despite the talent and energy of the Orlando Magic, the team has one key factor missing.
Orlando is leaderless.
Orlando doesn't have a fearless leader, a player that takes losing personally and heaps the team's burden of winning on himself. Orlando has no MJ or Kobe to will their team to win. Adversity is difficult to overcome without a strong individual willing to shoulder all the weight of the team for the rest of the players on the team to look to. This could be the fatal factor, the nail in the coffin that will make it impossible for the Magic to come back and take the series from Boston.
...but wouldn't it be so great to see both the Bruins and the Celtics suffer historic comebacks? =D
Jameer Nelson, Running Back:
All valid points...until the Vince Carter part...
ReplyDeleteNo NBA team can win a championship with its top offensive player being known for consistently wilting under the pressure.
And as for Dwight..
No NBA team can win a championship when its most featured player, its franchise, and alpha dog approaches the game with the seriousness of a 13 yr old.
Sorry, this team is championship talented but doesn't have championship personality.
When things are going well, its talent manifests and people can see greatness (see: 2nd half of regular season, 2nd rd vs. Hawks). When the going gets touch and the camera lights get brighter, all of its flaws and youthfulness and immaturity shine through (this round right now and last year, last year Finals Game 2? (the one where Fisher buried them)).
yeah I definitely agree that the Magic are too mentally young. They don't have the killer instinct needed to be a runaway championship team. Last year, Hedo was the one who took control of ballgames late, but this year, Vince is supposed to be that guy but has failed miserably at it. This is their biggest flaw by far.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I still think it's too early to count them out. Nobody's going to be surprised if they lose in Game 5,6 or 7, but there is still hope.