RealGM

We are on the way to either the fifth seed or the sixth seed right now. Depending on what seed we get we will meet either the Cavaliers (if we get the fifth seed) or the Magic (if we get the sixth seed). Who would you rather face and why?

Cavs. Because the Magic are a better team.

phiphan wrote:Cavs. Because the Magic are a better team.

+1

magic....no leborn factor....les experience, and if there shooting is cold thy are very beatable. Howard is a beast, but I don't trust the rest of the team to win a playoff series against us if we play hard

The Cavs, our games so far have been relatively close. The Magic would rip us apart with their 3 point shooting.

Lebron is Lebron. He'll take us alone. I'd rather play the Magic.

we'll probably end up playing detroit

Everyone says that about Lebron but he has had a great regular season and they continue to struggle. I don't know how much someone could possibly elevate their game from that high a level.

Cavs. The Magic's 3 point shooting is an absolute disaster matchup for us.

Agree with the above.

Cavs. We can't stop Lebron BUT the Cavs are built around Lebron doing well so they are easy to deal with because his success is expected with a weak supporting cast. We can't stop Hedo, but the Magic are impossible to beat if Hedo has it going with all of those shooters spotting up for 3's, plus Dwight Howard could potentially destroy us.

Magic!

They are unexperienced and are young.
Cavaliers have experience and our too good for us, I'm afraid

I'd always rather play a team that relys on 3 point shooting for offense in a series.

With LeBron, Cleveland can score a number of ways. If the Magic get cold they are vulnerable.

Well, the magic may rely on 3 point shooting but if Howard gets going inside, they're going to be almost impossible to beat. Sam will pick up early fouls and be irrelevant. Now, IF we had a backup big like Thabeet, etc., coming off the bench behind Sam, I think this series could be more winnable. But with just one true 5 on our squad, I think we're pretty much doomed. The matchup with Orlando reminds me of our matchup with the Lakers when they had Shaq. Howard will steamroll Sam the way Shaq steamrolled Mutumbo and once our interior D is gone, good bye fast-break offense. The ONLY way I think we can take games from the Magic is if we tag Howard will foul trouble early on - the way the Wizards beat them recently. I'd still rather take my chances with Cleveland.

STChaser

STChaser wrote:Well, the magic may rely on 3 point shooting but if Howard gets going inside, they're going to be almost impossible to beat. Sam will pick up early fouls and be irrelevant. Now, IF we had a backup big like Thabeet, etc., coming off the bench behind Sam, I think this serious could be more winnable. But with just one true 5 on our squad, I think we're pretty much doomed.
STChaser

I agree about the need for a big back-up C to throw his body/fouls at Howard. Even if we don't play them this year, tu have to expect several series against Howard's team in the next 6-10 years. Thabeet is 7'3, athletic and has a good wide frame. Spending a mid 1st on such a raw prospect would be risky- since good players will still be on the board. I would be more willing to but an extra 1st to get him.

When you consider the going rate for big, athletic low skill centers is ussually 6M, getting one for cheap in the draft would be great. Look at what Jerome James and Ratliff were paid. I'm sure Diop will get overpaid this summer too.

If we could get a player like Blatche from the Wizards, I think we'd be able to insert him at the 4 (as a starter) and 5, providing us with that backup 5 we need to put up against players like Howard or Bynum. This is the benefit of targeting a 7' PF rather than an undersized 6-8 player.

STChaser

I want to face Cleveland. Detroit has a history of embarrasing us in the playoffs and Dwight and Turk scare me more than anyone on Cleveland...except Lebron. Basically I dont see us beating the Magic since we don't have any 3 point shooters to counter their 3 point shooters. What I see happening if we play Orlando...We double Howard and he kicks it out to Turk for the 3 point dagger...or we defend the perimeter and they feed Dwight...we cant win. Cleveland on the other hand...as long as we can stop Lebron...as hard as that will be...we should win

Cavs. Howard has the ability to dominate us in addition to their 3 point shooting.

Cavs. Evans can only grab Howard's nuts so many times before he gets suspended.

The Magic because I'm selfish I may actually get to see a game. They won't win though. Cleveland, maybe if the stars align just right...