Monday, October 26, 2009

2009-2010 Orlando Magic Season Preview



Well here it is! We are only two days away from the anticipation of the Magic's opening season game. I haven't done a seasonal preview yet so I guess it's a good time to do it now. So I know I have a lot of bias and may come off as cocky but in the end if the outcome happens, I can just say I told you so!

Coaching: Pretty much remains the same as last year, Stan Van Gundy with Patrick Ewing, Brendan Malone and the other fellas. Not much is different here.

Point Guards: Jameer Nelson, Anthony Johnson, and Jason Williams
Verdict: As Jameer looks to return to his All-Star shape form, I think his scoring will take a slight dip but nothing major. Williams and Johnson will back him up 10-15 min a game and hopefully that's all they do all season long as Jameer looks to stay healthy.

Shooting Guards: Vince Carter and J.J. Redick
Verdict: Vince still has some gas in his tank for a few more years whether or not people think he's old, he's on a team that isn't demanding him to put out a workload like New Jersey or Toronto did. Redick has improved majorly according to reports and his preseason play did show some of that. I don't think he's much of a defender due to his size but his offensive game will be nice in back up roles behind VC.

Small Forwards: Rashard Lewis, Mickael Pietrus, and Matt Barnes
Verdict: A very solid group at this position. These guys may see starting roles due to the flexibility of the team and match ups nightly. Rashard Lewis would be back to his normal position as he returns from his 10 game suspension. All can shoot the three with Barnes and Pietrus as SVG's choice of lockdown defenders.


Power Forwards: Brandon Bass and Ryan Anderson, and Linton Johnson III
Verdict: I think this season would be a huge break out year for both of them. Brandon Bass looked excellent in preseason and shot the ball very well. The same could be said for Anderson who stretches the defense and has a pin point shot. Both are willing to be physical and get some dirty work done around the basket with or without Dwight in the game.


Centers: Dwight Howard, Marcin Gortat, Adonal Foyle
Verdict: Arguably the NBA's best Center backed up by Gortat who can be a starting center in this league. Dwight Howard alone is enough for me to say but Gortat is solid enough that the Magic could start him and let Dwight sit against some of the weaker NBA teams this year.



Toughest competitors:
Boston Celtics:They match up well with Orlando at every position. With their defensive scheme it will be a dog fight between both teams as the big men combo of KG and Rasheed Wallace try to counter Dwight. Pierce and Vince Carter would be a great match up to watch as well, not to mention the point guard play between Rondo and Nelson.

Los Angeles Lakers: Of course the team that beat them in the Finals. With Ron Artest as an addition being the only major difference the Lakers also match up well against Orlando. Dwight Howard is an advantage for the Magic but Kobe Bryant has the LA locked down.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Looking to avenge the "upset" the Magic put on them, they are a top 5 team and one of the three Eastern Conference teams that will battle it out with Orlando and Boston. Lebron will be Lebron and they do have a little more help this season but will it be enough? The original Superman vs Superman II, Vince Carter vs Lebron, and a solid supporting cast around both teams will make this matchup amazing.

Watch to watch for:
-Brandon Bass will show why he is underrated. I think he'll have sort of a break out season this year.
-The three ball again will be one of the things this team strives on again.
-Ryan Anderson is one guy that will be under the radar and a huge impact on the team's success. He's shown himself really well in the preseason and an excellent shooter.
-Dwight Howard making another strive at becoming an unstoppable force. With Yao Ming out it leaves the door open for him to wipe the floor among his position in the NBA.

Magic Leaders:
Scoring-Dwight Howard
Rebounds-Dwight Howard
Assist-Jameer Nelson
3 pt shooting: Rashard Lewis

Overall I see this Magic team repeating as Eastern Conference Champs and winning the title this year. I know many believe this team has gotten worse but that's blasphemy, there is no way this team is worse than it was last year in the Finals. I stand by that and the season will show.

So Magic fans across the globe...BE MAGIC! Let's get ready to support our boys to the GOLD!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Well...I'm 19

October 14th, a day in my life I can never forget: My birthday!

I'm now 19 and not really feeling any different or much inclined to more freedoms. However I really have to recognize the differences from my 18th to 19th year. To be honest nothing has really changed much besides the fact I'm in college. I said I wouldn't change myself for anyone and I was content with who I am. So over the year I have stuck to that. I have come to the conclusion that I am in fact just a positive person looking to achieve my goals.

With that conclusion I just wanna give a piece of advice to everyone that I realized the other day. You've got to be optimistic in life and not filling yourself around the negatives. I've wrote about that in "The Secret" blog that truly putting in your head; positive outlooks will put out positive outcomes. I wish we all could have that same belief, but I understand some people have a hard time being positive about any situation. So I ask that if you are an optimistic person and you know a pessimistic person, go ahead and try to help them out. Show them a way to try and be more positive and maybe they can have the optimism.

As I begin my 20th year, I hope to remain the same me, but always looking to better myself no matter how good of a person I am. My goals aren't accomplished and I have a long road ahead. My tank is full of potential as I try to reach the finish line.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

October 6th, 2009: A day to Remember!

Cheaa! Well folks I have officially met one of the world's most well known athletes, a star in the NBA, and star of my beloved Orlando Magic. I have the worse of luck when meeting famous people. A lifelong fan, I have never met an Orlando Magic superstar before but I've met Jameer Nelson in his rookie year, Pat Garrity, Darrell Armstrong, and James Augustine. Yea, that list is amazing huh? It's been quite some time that I've heard about Dwight hanging around the areas I visit as well. It was long overdue but I got a pic with him and my NBA Live 10 FREE! So, I'm sure you all know who that is of course, I'll write about what happened to save myself from repeating to others....



So I was on my Xbox in the evening playing NBA 2K10 and my phone by my side. I periodically checked out my Twitter and saw Dwight was giving away copies of NBA Live 10 for those of us in Orlando. We'd have to find him at a spot he gave clues for on Twitter. So basically the location was about 7-10 min away from my house and the time he posted it gave me enough motivation to actually test my luck. I hauled ass down the road and reached the location: A local Gamestop around the Magic's practice facility. I got there and ran to the door but a guy was there already with his phone out. He said Dwight wasn't there yet and the Gamestop folks didn't see him.

We waited because this Gamestop matched all the clues and as minutes went by a few more people who were also following Dwight on Twitter arrived. Then a nice White Maybach rolled by to park and none other than Dwight was cruising in it. So he walked up to the front and into the store to find out who were the first five people there. They would be the ones getting the free copies.

By now more people rushed into the store and began to take pictures of Dwight. Eventually Dwight announced that he can only give away five copies of the game and the rest of us would have to settle for pics and autographs. While he was deciding, three people got copies because they were assured by the Gamestop people that they were indeed there first. That left Dwight with two extra copies and a few of us. So in between all this people were speaking up and I said I was a true fan, born and raised here then at the same time this one guy had to tell Dwight that I bought 2K10. (He was outside prior while we talked about our journey to the Gamestop and I slipped I was playing 2K10). Dwight gonna tell me about being a real fan and buying the cover with Kobe. Sorry Dwight, but I bought the game that would be worth my enjoyment. My reason for getting it first was because all my friends had plan to buy NBA 2K10 and I wanted to play on Xbox Live with them. I was eventually going to buy NBA Live 10 when I got paid again, since I'm NOT RICH!

Long story short, Dwight and I got into a debate about Live vs 2K this year. He claimed it was too slow and "sucks". Then the Gamestop lady asked who played the Demos and games so I opened my mouth. Then Dwight said he'd look at this Twitter and he pointed to me and said He saw me on Twitter. (I had tweeted that I was coming to the Gamestop to him on the way). So one guy had to give up his game because he had a PS2. As you know those are outdated and only 360 or PS3 version were available. So Dwight picked me to get a copy.

I got my copy signed and a pic with him, before I left he told me to get rid of 2K. I thanked him and left happy as hell. I must say Dwight is a real class act, he goes around the city and treats his fans as people that exist, unlike the normal celebs. Taking a step further to sponsor give-a-ways and special treats for his devoted fans is something a lot of these current players should look at.

Anyways I still think 2K10 is slightly better than Live 10. Dwight....I love that you're all over the game and I appreciate the game and autograph but my personal preference would settle for 2K's gameplay and graphics. Although, Live has better features and more dribble moves than 2K. Next time get on the cover of 2K!

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/chevyballinhot