How do you beat the Magic?

"So how do you beat them? For all the matchup problems they create, you can't make them pay on the other end UNLESS you have a center to handle Howard and a big forward who can torch Lewis on one end and defend him on the other. "

This is from Bill Simmons' latest mailbag and it strikes me that the Blazers have exactly what a team needs to take down the Magic. I think the results of the season series support that claim. We have Aldridge who is good enough on offense to torch Lewis and big/quick enough on defense to bother him. Then we have the double headed monster at center to throw at Howard, plus 6 more fouls brought to you by Channing Frye.

If only we had made the finals.....

over 2 years ago Magnum 14 comments 0 recs |

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I would love to see a Portland/Orlando finals in the next few years

Also, if Oden becomes a top 2-3 center in the West it could be the return of true big man dominance. (Duncan and Garnett aren’t “big men” in the truest sense of the word!)

by Zaig on Jun 3, 2009 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

We would have swept Orlando this year

If it weren’t for Portland’s meltdown with 1 minute to go (had 8 point lead) as well as a Turkey-Glue 3-point BANK SHOT as time expired.

Ugh, that was a gut wrenching loss.

"Respect everyone, fear no one." -TP

by Arby on Jun 3, 2009 2:22 PM PDT reply actions

And also what kept us from playing the Hornets in the first round

which makes it even more gut wrenching.

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Jun 4, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions

i see a lot of similarities between orlando and portland.

so to beat orlando, use aaron brooks.

"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.

"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.

by Tofu Anonymous on Jun 3, 2009 3:15 PM PDT reply actions

Oden and Aldridge matchup really well with their team

by Falcao on Jun 3, 2009 3:39 PM PDT reply actions

Greg Oden matches up well with Dwight Howard, but I'd argue that LaMarcus Aldridge's inefficient ...

mid-range shooting would allow a soft defender such as Rashard Lewis to slack off a tad bit. Rather than Aldridge, I’d rather have a power forward like Chris Bosh who has a quick first step off his dribble from the elbow, can drive past Lewis, and draw a foul on Howard.

by AK1984 on Jun 3, 2009 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions

LMA

has improved his ball handling, adn I think he can do a good job defensively on Lewis

by Falcao on Jun 3, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions

While LaMarcus Aldridge is good at not turning over the ball and solid on perimeter defense ...

against tall, yet slender power forwards like Rashard Lewis, he still lacks a quick first step off of the dribbe and is thereby not a threat to drive past Lewis and get Dwight Howard into foul trouble.

Last season, Aldridge drew a foul on 11.0% of his field-goal attempts; on the other hand, though, Chris Bosh drew a foul on 18.4% of his field goal attempts. Against the Orlando Magic, Bosh’s ability to draw fouls — which is the main reason why his career TS% is 4% higher than that of Aldridge — and higher proficiency on the defensive glass would make him an awesome asset.

by AK1984 on Jun 3, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

eh

I’m not worried about LMA needing to draw fouls on Howard. I just think it’s important to make Lewis work on defense and LMA’s inside (mostly) outside game can do that.

"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"

by Magnum on Jun 3, 2009 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Orlando is not our problem.

They are a great team. But if Oden becomes an OK center, we are set against them. The rest of our squad is way better than theirs. We have what we need to hurt Rashard, Turkoglu, and Howard. PG defense would be our only problem against them, and that is true of every team we play.

by staylost on Jun 3, 2009 3:57 PM PDT reply actions