Who would have ever thought that a team coached by a Mario Brothers look-alike, and led by a self-proclaimed superman plus his gritty bunch of overachievers is among the top three teams in the current NBA season?
But that’s what the Orlando Magic had done so far, thus surprising lots of basketball pundits. The Disneyworld outfit is presently at 3rd spot over-all with their Southeast Division leading 33-9 win-loss slate. They had won eight of their last ten games and is fresh from sweeping their recent western road swing wherein they humbled Division leaders San Antonio Spurs, LA Lakers and the Denver Nuggets in succession. That was a truly remarkable feat indeed for a club which was not given that much of a chance to figure prominently in the Eastern Conference race in the pre-season previews of various pro basketball publications.
So what makes the Magic thick? Head Coach Stan Van Gundy had transformed his squad from a middle-of-the-pack team to a consistent, unselfish and well-disciplined championship-caliber battalion. Star center Dwight Howard continues to dish out an outstanding performance with his team-high 20.2 ppg, 14.1 rpg and 3.2 bpg in 39 games to date. But it is not only “Superman” Howard who is doing his share for the Magic but the team had four other players averaging in double digits in scoring so far in swingman Rashard Lewis (19.1), veteran warrior Hedo Turkoglu (17.2), point gem of a guard Jameer Nelson (17.1) and new recruit Frenchman Mickael Pietrus (11.7). The maturity in the game of Nelson is another vital factor in the improved play of the Magic. The more than ten points a game scoring average of Howard, Lewis, Turkoglu and Pietrus can all be attributed to Nelson’s superb tending of the backcourt, wherein he dishes out 5.4 dimes an outing.
With their current form, they had become one of the major stumbling blocks (together with Cleveland and Detroit) to defending champs Boston Celtics bid for a title-repeat in the suddenly-tough Eastern Conference.
*****The oldtime warrior had finally called it a day. Alonzo Mourning announced his retirement from pro basketball and would not return for a 16th season. Mourning, one of the hardest-working and best defensive players in NBA history, had career averages of 17.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 2.8 bpg in 838 games with Charlotte Hornets, New Jersey Nets and Miami Heat. In a press conference, Mourning with Heat owner Micky Arison and team president Pat Riley seated beside him, emotionally said, ''After 16 years, I feel it's best I retire from the game of basketball. When you've got something you love and you're passionate about, it's hard to let that go. It truly is. It's not a sad day. It's a day to celebrate.''
So long Zo, we wish you the best in life and thanks for the memories.
*****
Rumors, rumors, rumors………………. Jermaine O’Neal to Miami Heat a done deal?….. Stephon Marbury to Greece?….. Mike Miller to New Jersey Nets?….. Miami Heat ready to trade Shawn Marion? ….. Larry Hughes to New Jersey Nets? Expect a lot more as the February 19, 2009 trade deadline approaches.
No comments:
Post a Comment