Orlando C’s Green & NBA Ref’s Style

The Boston Celtics gave the Orlando Magic their first postseason loss. Boston played great defense all around during the game. The Orlando Magic made me puk green from their awful first half play, but made some adjustments and did better in the second half. I understand that it is unlike Orlando to go 0-9 from the 3 point line in the 1st half, and only make five 3s in the entire game. I understand that 32% shooting the 1st half is not Orlando, and that 32 points in the 1st half is Orlando’s usual points in a single quarter. The Orlando Magic could not get buckets to drop and sloppy play caused for a horrid double digit turnover value. A lot of things went sour for Orlando, no doubt, and credit to Boston for helping to create that through defense and making timely critical shots when needed.

As a Magic fan it flat out hurt me because it was the first loss, but after a few hours of Kleenex and tears, I started to think about how this game was good for Orlando. I know it’s hard to believe that this game could be good for Orlando in anyway but, there are a few highlights in this otherwise painful game for Orlando and Magic fans.

• Orlando came from 20 down to Boston and only lost by 4 when all was said and done; this is testament for how good Orlando can be even with nothing falling.
• Orlando played great defense in the second half to bring them back into the game.
• Boston made some shots that were buzzer beaters, which is just unlucky for the Magic.
• Jameer jumpstarted Orlando right out the gate in the 3rd quarter to spark some offense, which shows his role and how vital it can be at points.
• Howard still had many blocks, and altered shots, which came into play during the second half.
• This gives Orlando the underdog feel, even though they have the better record, which is how Orlando likes to play, and the way Magic fans like there team to be.
I know I sound crazy, but Orlando needed this and we want this as fans. Everybody on the media is going Boston now because of game 1, which can say a lot because I picked Boston over Cleveland after seeing that game 1. The reason I believe that this series is a different story is due to the fact that we are not Cleveland and we don’t get stagnate when Dwight, Vince, or Jameer catch fire. I still call Orlando in 6, and by the 4th game the series will be tied 2-2, and then Orlando will take over. Remember all Orlando needed to get back into this game was a good fourth quarter, that is scary!!!

This game really had me working at the way the refs were not calling fouls, and allowing many things to slide. Credit to the refs, and this is really hard for me to swallow or even accept so I feel your pain, but the refs called this game down the middle and allowed both teams to get away with many fouls. Dwight had many over the back rebound attempts, and the Celtics had numerous hacks on the hands of shooters. This game was a physical style, and the refs decided to allow them to slide.

This style type that the refs allowed to occur worked well for Boston because many of their players are physical, while Orlando has about 4 or 5 players that are physical. Many of Orlando shooters are more finesse.

This game got me to think how the refs call the game even can affect the turnout of the game. The Lakers will have a difficult time with teams if refs decide to allow things to slide on both sides because they are not too physical. I think the refs control more than just the calls of the game, but also the tempo of the game. Think about it, because if there are many foul calls in the L.A. and Phoenix series then that fast paced game that the Suns want will not be fully effective, and L.A. plays better with more fouls. Think about this and tell me what you think in the comments section!

Here It Is & Remember Orlando Magic fans, that saying of “It may be a blessing in disguise!”