Basketball - Watch out for the Orlando Magic

Being an Orlando Magic fan, I’ve had to suffer for years. Sure great players have come in, like Shaq, Penny, T-Mac, Hill and Francis. But never have they resulted in long-term success. So now with leading scorer Steve Francis gone, how good could they be? Instead we should se saying how good they are.

Orlando has won 11 of 12 and 7 in a row. And this isn’t your common ground win streak versus the Bobcats and Hawks. No, the Magic’s win streak included wins against Detroit, Dallas, at Miami and at San Antonio.

The Magic are just 2½ back from the #8 spot, and in the risk of sounding insane, they still have a chance. For one, their next games are against the Bulls, 76ers and Pacers. Both the Sixers and Bulls play a game this week in Miami. Philadelphia and Chicago combine for 0-4 against Miami this year. So if the two Florida teams can win their games, the Magic should be ½ back of those teams.

Philadelphia is one thing. The Magic won the season-series and would advance if they tied. Chicago however has a better conference record than Orlando. So for Orlando to advance, the Bulls have to lose all their remaining games. They play a home game versus Wizards and then go to Miami and Orlando. Those games are tough and could give the Magic hope. But then the backbreaker: the Bulls’ last game is at home against the Raptors. Chicago has won their previous three games versus the Raptors.

The odds are heavily stacked that the Magic have no chance at the postseason (Ever since George Mason I’m not so sure). And while that may not happen, it is a great sign for Orlando next year. Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson are running the team and are flourishing since the Francis trade. Like teams that did well at the end of last year (the Nets and Hornets) Orlando could wind up improving into the playoffs.