The wreck that is the Magic, and some other stuff, too

ELISE AMENDOLA/AP

If a photo tells 1,000 words two of them have to be "ah, crap".

The Boston-Orlando series sure hasn’t got to the level of Boston-Chicago but you have to admit, it’s been pretty darn good. And with the Magic playing the role of out-of-control truck careening down a freeway as we all watch with a mixture of awe and horror and amusement and a how-in-the-world-with-they-blow-this-one incredulity, I really hope it goes seven games.

Not sure it will, but we can hope.

Anyway, thank goodness that was a good one because the late game, as I read, was a dog and bailing on it early made perfect sense.

And while I thought about bailing entirely on tonight, a 9 p.m. start and the likely demise of the Dallas Mavericks makes it worth our while to do a live blog, right? Not a lot of promo for it out there so tell your friends and we’ll see some of you this evening.

Now …

About last night

Duh!

Open the old web page to see what my friend B. Schmitz is writing about the colossal collapse by the Magic and see a subhead:

Magic Blow Big Lead

Dwight Howard calls out coaches

Here’s the story right here and, like a few thousand others, I’m sure, the immediate reaction is: About frikkin’ time.

Most of you know my opinion of coaches – too much credit when they win, too much blame … blah, blah, blah, blah, blah – and I’m all right with not getting Howard involved in the offence every possession since he was being schooled by Kendrick Perkins and was surrounded by shooters.

But not one shot? Not even a post-up to attract a double-team and maybe a get a kickout? Shocking, appalling and a bunch of other stuff.

Not to mention the zany decision – again, in only my opinion – of even having Howard on the court in an intentional foul situation late in a close game. Of course, the Celtics defended the right way and the worst free throw shooter on either roster has to go to the line.

And don’t get me started with having JJ Redick on the floor – guarding Ray Allen for goodness sakes! Still scratching my head over that one.

I haven’t spoken to Brian in a while and he’s too busy to bug today but can you imagine who full his in-box has to be with “Fire Stan” e-mails? Imagine what it would be like up here?

We can only assume that if Orlando loses this series, and I now fully expect they will, and don’t advance any further than they did last year and with the face of the franchise publicly ripping the coach after the biggest game of the year, there may be another job vacancy in the coaching ranks.

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However …

And I say this knowing it’s probably not the best analogy I can come up with but it's early-ish in the morning and all the syanpses aren't quite firing

If Dwight Howard, for all his glorious rebounding and shot-blocking abilities and his incredible athleticism, doesn’t get some kind of expanded offensive game, when’s he turn into a younger, stronger, bigger Ben Wallace?

Now, when I said something like to a couple of NBA coaches last night they looked at me like I had three heads but, seriously, the limitations of his offensive game might have had as much to do with Van Gundy not calling plays for him as anything.

I love a lot about Dwight Howard’s game, I love his enthusiasm for the game and I think, with an awful lot of time in the gym he can become a more polished offensive player, but right now, it’s on him to do the work and make the improvements.

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Take that

Speaking of emphatic, had to wipe the sleep out of my eyes and do a double-take checking the final score in the Laker game. A 40-point win?

I didn’t see an awful lot of it, kind of worn out after the Bloggie Thingy, but what I saw early was just like Sunday only the other way around. Home team gets hot, road team plays like crap, game over early.

Seems to be what the Rockets think, too, given the tone of Jonathan’s story here.

But I will say this:

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this series doesn’t still go seven. The Rockets aren’t about to give up because they got drilled badly, they seem to me to be veteran enough to put that one away, forget about it and be back to their usual tough selves in front of the home fans tomorrow.

Of course, maybe it has all caught up to them and the loss of Yao is just too much to overcome but there’s something about that team that makes me think not.

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Apropos of nothing, and a wee bit old because I keep forgetting to mention it, you cannot imagine how cool I think it is that the park in Miami is now known as Landshark Stadium.

As a guy who knows just a wee bit about fermented liquids, that’s an absolute great name. Great beer, too. And now I’m even more of a Jimmy Buffet fan.

We now return you to our regular basketball stuff.

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So, Raptor workouts are over now until the first week of June – no, no one who was there either Monday or Tuesday really stood out – but then they get back to it in earnest.

I’m sure you’ve all read the story in today’s paper about the process, right? Well, here’s what the Raptors are going to try to do in the future sessions, according to personnel guru Jim Kelly.

“Ideally, it would be six players – two points, two wings, two bigs. I think probably as the process goes along, it’ll probably be two points, four wings. (There are) not that many bigs and it’s no secret what our emphasis and what our focus is.”

So what it’s all mean?

“It’s another step in the process, you get to see them up close. We noticed a few things about Dionte Christmas’s shot today, about his follow through, where he comes down. Sometimes, you watch a guy three or four times in a game and you might miss those things. You can also isolate a situation. If you know maybe they’re not really good reacting defensively in a two-man game, you make sure you put them in it here and you get to see them up close.”

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This is part of the reason I’m becoming something of a Big Baby Davis fan.

Check out this apology, passed on by Regular Reader Tom, after Davis inadvertently ran into that kid at the end of Game 4:

“You know what, I’m a big guy. And sometimes I can’t even feel when I’m sitting on the remote. So imagine if my emotions are going wild and I’m running by somebody and I don’t feel it. So if I’ve hurt anybody or if I’ve done any harm to anybody, please forgive me. Because my intentions were harmless.”

Classic. And pretty classy and something I could see a guy saying rather than something written for him.

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Back to our apropos of nothing, really, department: I’ve set the over and under on Dallas technical fouls at 3 1-2 for tonight.

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Comments

[anthony.mackay]

Looks like Shaq was at least partially right, you gotta give the big man at LEAST a couple touches to attract double teams and help break down the D, he doesn't even need to shoot, just make the pass back outside.

Rockets have nothing to hang their heads about even if they lose the next game at home by 20, they overcame alot this year and I expect a fully healthy year from Yao next year, he came back too soon after his last injury to play for his country.

After rooting for the Lakers in the early rounds I'm slowly changing my mind, they don't seem to have fun playing, they don't bring it near frequently enouugh and give the impression they deserve to win it all while only giving half effort.

Celtics are toast next round.
Cavs will win the next series in 5.
Nuggests hot play will cool off and the Lakers will beat them in 6

See you next year Dallas, how's that J-Kidd trade working out for you... that sure is a shinny award Harris picked up yesterday.

[pete]

Hey Doug, I've heard a lot about Patrick Ewing working with Dwight a lot during his time at the magic, but has he actually taught Dwight anything substantial. Seems Dwight can dunk and has kind of a running hook but thats it. Would he be better served going to a big man camp like Bargs did?

[WA]

Ummm Anthony, Granger won the award - Harris was runner up. Dwight doesn't need a big-man camp, he needs Jabbar or heck, even Shaq.

[Vincent Lam]

This is my apropos nothing. Last night watching the reaction the Jays fans gave AJ Burnett reminded me of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. They booed him while pitching and cheered the called balls.

Then I got to thinking about the similarities between the two. Both have world class talent but have not lived up to expectations. Both have been plagued with questionable injuries and been labelled soft. Both are lights out when they have it going. Heck, AJ bought VC's condo when he left town. The only difference is that the basketball dude had a chance to be the best in the league. While AJ would always be second to Doc.

[Paul]

Apropos of very little, did Cuban get fined for the cameraman shove? I don't seem to see anything online to confirm it.

Blogger's note: I haven't heard anything; at times, the NBA has levied fines and not made the move public.

[John]

Dwight's defence has improved a lot since he came into the league. So he has been learning some things, but it really is time to develop a post move or two.

[Mark L]

Doug, do you see Howards stay in Orlando short lived after this?

Bogger's note: Um, no.

[Kevin]

2 Things:

1.) If Dwight was getting schooled by Perkins why would the Celtics double team him and leave Orlando open for a kickout? I don't think there would be any advantage to dumping the ball in to Howard if he couldn't do anything against Perkins.

2.) That was a pretty good apology by Davis. I thought it was ridiculous that that kid's father was demanding an apology, the whole thing seemed pretty harmless to me. That being said, if I bump into someone accidentally I still apologize to them so I think it's perfectly reasonable that Davis would apologize as well.

[Kelsie]

Van Gundy will have a hard time explaining this series if they do indeed lose. The "master of panic" in one post season is quickly erasing any memory of the great regular season the Magic put together and making Shaq prophetic.

Doug, any word on continued draft work-outs and players coming in? I agree that there were no top 10 talents in yesterday but T. Williams had an exceptional year for the Cardinals and I could definitely see him as a high energy utility guy in the NBA.

Blogger's note: Next workouts here aren't until early June; the Chicago camp is at the end of this month. And no idea on players until at least after Tuesday

[Darko]

Howard boys are sure having tough time these days finishing games.
First Josh, with that Mensa membership worthy foul on Melo, up 4 and 31sec to go, letting Denver stop the clock. Than, Dwight getting burned by Perkins not once but twice, first on that shot/pass by Ray Allen, and than not getting rebound on shot that grazed the rim. He can rip Stan all he wants, but he did not distinguish himself with those defensive plays either.
When the series started I was going for Orlando, can not stand Celtics, but I've had it with Magic inability to close games and missing all those opportunities.
Doug, being our TV Guide, would you know who has the game tonight, and both games tomorrow. There is no info on Nba.com
Thanks.

Blogger's note: Tonight is The Score; and I've just found out the Thursday doubleheader is on The Score as well.

[Bob Sr]

Hey Doug

I think Pat Riley knew exactly what he doing that coaching change(Van Gundy in Miami) and for those who don't like the Celtics...you must respect them.

[Mike P]

Hi Doug, who will be the better nba player, big baby or tyrus thomas?

Blogger's note: I haven't seen enough of either of them to really have an opinion; I think it's fair to say Thomas has more potential but Davis is more effective today

[Darko]

doug, first I want to apologize to everybody for boring them with our little conversation.
How many replays you ran last night, I thought you'll never finish.

"Few people here mention 9 -4 to end last season as one of the reasons why Jay should get the job. I know W is W, but at the time, pressure of making the playoffs was removed and therefore I would not put much stock in it. Compare it to many hot Septembers by the Jays when they were out of it already, only to come back next season and still suck when it matters.
Better indicator would and should be found in the MUST win games, that 30 pts egg in New York, in Memphis or in NO...
One can only hope to see Jay build on that 9-4 rather than those other games when it mattered. Wish him all the best."

Show me, underline it and than print the part where i insult you and consider you a fool, and I'll eat the paper.
I do NOT dislike Jay, even wished him well.

As for : hey Darko...at least I have a opinion and stick to it.

Clear something for me here, you wouldn't be that doug that couple of days ago shredded Doug Smith to pieces on the Ron-Ron
topic, telling him how and what to write... and than this:
"Doug does a excellent job on this blog"
How did he go from bum to Pulitzer in 2 days. Only criteria is whether he or anyone else agrees with you.
I appreciate you having an opinion, it's just this little problem of not even YOU knowing what that opinion is.
Better yet, do not clear anything, I am tired of our running, mind numbing exchange.
Again, apologies to everyone.

[Tony]

Agree totally with Howard in calling out his coach. The team is in love with it's perimeter shooters. This has happened all season there. Any decent basketball strategist can see that the surest way to beat the Celtics right now, is to get their big men in foul trouble. You've got the best big man in the game that is capable of doing exactly that. Dugghh! Even if he's not scoring, keep giving him the ball. It will pay dividends in the end. Talk about beating yourself, Stan!

[Matt from Oakville]

Late in that game you could see confusion from that Magic squad...they didn't even know who to run off screens for or inbound the ball to. Makes sense having Rashard take the shot, yeah? Howard shouldn't have even been on the floor for both offensive possessions.

Previous to that I don't understand why Van Gundy insists on calling more plays for Alston than Howard - maybe a trust issue? Or he doesn't believe Howard has the post-moves to go up against Perkins/Big Baby. In response to Pete here, it does seem like Bargnani can do a lot of things in these circumstances where Howard seems severely limited. I think Van Gundy just did a brutal job running his team late in this game. It was theirs to lose.

[John Culligan]

Doug, did Bargs get any votes for "Most Improved Player" which came out yesterday?

Blogger's note: One third place vote

[Ken]

Doug, a question regarding the pre-draft workouts. Do the coaches actually "coach" the kids at these workouts or is it more of a case of giving them a few drills and let them play ? As an example Player X is at a pre-draft camp and a coach notices something he feels he can correct. Can he offer any sort of advice ?

I wonder then as well, does this give the coaches a feel as to how responsive a player is to them and their instruction ?

Blogger's note: They'd offer a small bit of advice but the flaws are noted rather than entirely corrected; not worth putting in too much time on a flawed player you may not draft.

[Rob]

Hey, Bosh didn't make any of the three all NBA teams. Does he really deserve a max-money contract? I know his team didn't make the playoffs, but isn't that saying something as well?

[Mike U]

Hey Doug,

Before the Lakers-Rockets series, I predicted an easy sweep for the Lakers and I said you were overestimating Houston. Just wanted to say great call on your part. Even without Yao, Tmac and DM, I guess I underestimated Houston real bad. I'm now putting my cash on all "Doug Smith" predictions. I keed I keed but much respect to you!

[anson]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2009/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-090513

I love this story, I think he is right this time. Please take a look.

[kevin]

in other news, Bosh is not named to first, second nor third team
Doug, can you explain?

Blogger's note: Yeah, easily. He didn't have as a good a year as Nowitzki or Duncan and I can see why voters would take Gasol over him for the third team. What's even more surprising is that Garnett didn't make any of the three teams.

[doug]

yes i am not a fan of Van Gundy's as I am a firm believer in the belief that teams take on the personality of their coaches....and Van Gundy is just to hyper, in the last quarters always....he's hyper not in a good way in a panic mode type of way, he instills this onto his team and you can see it in their indecisiveness, and frenetic style. Every team has a lead slip away in occasion, but this is more then coincidence against both the Sixers and now the Celtics the last quarters have been disastrous for them. One mistake piled on another, also they truly do miss Nelson at those times as they have no true point guard.

In the playoffs you can see the importance of coaching as soem teams make adjustments from game to game, quarter to quarter whereas others don't. Woodson and Van Gundy are the most quilty of the latter, they just keep running the same old sets, well did in the case of Woodson.

[Jojo]

Ha ha...not getting Howard more touches and putting Reddick out there to guard Ray Allen? Sounds like the Raptors game in Boston earlier in the season where Kapono was guarding Pierce and getting lit up while Bosh didn't take a shot in the 4th Q. Not a perfect analogy of course but I couldn't help but remember...

I can't understand why Howard hasn't developed a reliable jump hook. The guy's never going to be Hakeem but with that size and leaping ability he should be able to master a couple of basic go-to-moves in the lane. Also, for all of his strength, he doesn't establish deep post position as often as I'd imagine. Perkins has been able to push him out pretty consistently. I guess Howard doesn't really have a low center of gravity.