DPOY: So obvious, even an idiot can pick it

Most of the debate concerning this years awards have centered around the MVP. Lebron? Kobe? Wade? However, believe it or not there are other awards to be given out. Of those, the one that doesn't even require a debate is Defensive Player of the Year.

Call me bias, or a homer, or whatever, but the DPOY is Dwight Howard. End of discussion.

Unfortunately, everyone doesn't see it as clearly as I do. For example, take this from Ball Don't Lie:

BDL reader "Tony J." on the MVP debacle: "I've been thinking about this whole NBA MVP race, and I see a potential problem around the corner. Let me explain. Okay, the big race is for the NBA Defensive player of the Year. The reason I say that is, because it appears to be an award that D-Wade is the favorite to win. Well, if that happens, and he leads the league in scoring, while leading his horrible team to the playoffs, it really creates a problem in naming anyone else the league MVP. As of today [Monday], he has more points, assists, steals, and blocks than the other leading candidate! It's going to be a really tough decision, and I hope the league doesn't choose to not give him the Defensive player award because they see the potential problem."

Wrong. Dwayne Wade will not be named the DPOY. Again, it's Dwight Howard. It's hard to make the argument that Wade should win considering his team is not only weaker defensively, but is also 16.5 games back in the division.

Howard will finish the year as the league's top shot blocker and rebounder, and is the anchor of what has become a damn good defensive team. This is not news to TPASTBM readers, as we have touched on this before. I'll say it again:

• Orlando gives up only 5.4 3's a game... 4th in the NBA.
• Teams only shoot 34% from beyond the arc against Orlando... 2nd in the NBA.
• Opponents average 43.0% from the field... 3rd in the NBA.
• Orlando scores the 8th most points in the league (102.1), but at the same time they give up the 8th least amount of points (94.8).
• Orlando leads the league in the amount of points per shot they give up (1.14).
• The Magic lead the league in adjusted field goal percentage (explanation here).
• And to tap into Hollinger's numbers, Orlando is right behind Boston in defensive efficiency... That's the number of points a team scores per 100 possessions.

Hmm... It sure does seem that their defense is what carries these boys. The scary thing about the Magic is that there is really only one defensive star on the team, Mr. Dwight Howard. Jameer Nelson and Rafer Alston were never known for their lockdown defense. Courtney Lee has a ton of potential but is only a rookie. Who knows what Hedo does. Rashard Lewis has met the challenge of playing out of position and has improved his defense but certainly isn't going to make any all-defensive teams any time soon.


That leaves us with Dwight, who is undeniably the best defender in the league. He makes everyone around him better. He changes the way the other teams play offense.

The best example of this was the last time Cleveland came to town. Check out the shot chart. Lebron ended up with 23 points on 10 of 27 shooting. A vast majority of his shots were jumpers. Now there is no way of knowing this for sure, but don't you think the man in the middle might have played a role in keeping Mr. James from taking it to the basket as he does so well? In their other matchup of the season Cleveland won the game and Lebron scored 43 points. Of his 27 shots in that game, 19 were out of the paint. To give it some perspective, in last nights loss to the Wizards, Lebron was 11-18 from the field... And 5 of 6 from inside the paint. So, against the Wizards 33% of his shots were in the paint and against the Magic (let's use the average of both games) only 22% of his shots were taken from the same area.

In conclusion, anyone who tries to argue that any player other than Dwight should win the Defensive Player of the Year award should be publicly humiliated.

Credit the AP for the image of Dwight and Dwayne and ESPN for the shot chart.

Magic at Cavs Preview

As we all know by now our very own Magic clash with the Cavs tonight in a game that is absolutely vital if the Magic have any chance of catching the Cavs for the 1 seed in the East.

Let's preview this clash of the titans.

• Stan tells BS of the OS that of course this game is important for seeding.


• AOL's Fanhouse has an extensive preview which states lots of neat things like the Magic's weakness at 2 guard but touting Delonte West as what makes that baby prrr.


• Dwight Howard says the MVP is of no concern to him and his main goal is to win games. Tonight would be a fantastic start if you ask me.


• In the USA Today preview Lebron says he is all team first and says he looks forward to tonight's challenge.


• John Denton of Florida Today says Rashard Lewis is the player to watch for the Magic and its time for him to step up. Could not agree more John.


• According to the Associated Press this is the Magic's best chance to prove they are title contenders. Thanks AP!
  
  
• Stan Van Gundy compares defending Lebron to which death penalty punishment you would want from the Magic's official website.


• To the right the Cleveland Plain-Dealer provides us with a picture of Dwight tickling Lebron on his way to the rim.

Well here is to hoping that the Magic hand Cleveland their 2nd home loss at the Q tonight. Enjoy the game everyone!

Courtney Lee Has No Fear

The OCTB is a popular cat, as you all know, and so I’m always a welcome site in the Magic locker room, especially after a win. So let me tell you about a locker room visit I made after the big win over the LeBron Crabaliers last Thursday.

In his post-game press conference, Stan Van Gundy (aka BCE – Best Coach EVER) talked about how the plan was to have Hedo Turkoglu guard LeBron (yo! BCE! What’s up with THAT!). But the offensive scheme the Cavs were running forced a switch and rookie Courtney Lee was on LeBron. Turns out, Lee wanted the assignment so much, he asked BCE if he could keep it the rest of the game! I was so impressed to hear this that I just had to get it from the rookie himself.

So after quickly recounting what BCE had said about him, I asked Lee to comment on it. To paraphrase, he said “Man, I’m just having fun out there. It’s exciting! I’m playing against all of these all-stars each game, even in practice (a nod to the THREE all-stars on his own team!) and its just fun to play against the best in the world.”

What I didn’t hear Lee say was that he was scared. He didn’t say that he wasn’t up to the challenge. He didn’t say that he was nervous in the least. Now, while I’m sure that all NBA players get nervous now and then, especially in big games, I wouldn’t begrudge a rookie a whole, uh, basket of nerves. But on this night, going up against the game’s most dynamic player for the first time, Lee not only held his own on defense (as good as you can do against the Crab-man) but took it strong on offense. The highlight for me was his hard drive to the rim with LeBron right on him. Lee took it straight to the top and finished it.

Lee is still a rookie for sure (last night in a loss to the Mavs he was only 2 for 8), but he doesn’t lack confidence, doesn’t hesitate, and he doesn’t show fear. Those three qualities by themselves are the reason the Magic have finally broken the string of wasted 1st round picks.

Credit for the photo: AP Photo by John Raoux

Playoff Basketball

Music Mondays is a perfect 100% when it comes to your Orlando Magic. This weeks selection was "Let's Get Physical", and get physical is just what Orlando did against LeBron James and the rest of the Cavs team. Judging by their loss of composure in the third quarter, I would say they didn't like it very much.

It was a beautiful sight to behold, watching our Magic men get physical, watching them play playoff basketball in a big game, instead of watching it get played against them. Boston came in and played a very physical game, and Orlando's response was to complain. It took the Magic out of their game and got them into a Boston style game that the Celtics easily won. Lesson learned?

A lot of people (who don't watch the Magic play), think of Orlando as nothing more than a 3 point shooting team. "Live by the three, die by the three", and "Jump shooting teams don't win in the playoffs" are the rally calls of opposing fans and talking heads in the media that seek to discredit the Magic. Now that he has witnessed the Magic play first hand, at least one of those talking heads is starting to see what we Magic faithful have known for quite some time. Hollinger has a great article about the real Orlando Magic, and how they really win games. Last night was a beautiful example. It was well into the third quarter before Orlando's three point shooting surpassed the 30% mark. Dwight and company already had a 6 point lead by that time. Once the threes started falling in the fourth, Orlando pulled away easily. How did they do it? Defense. You know, that thing that Cleveland and Boston get credit for, but Orlando doesn't get mentioned. Keeping James out of the paint (after rolling out the red carpet for him in the first), and off the free throw line.

A lot of the defensive assignment in the second half fell upon rookie Courtney Lee. You know, that skinny kid Orlando picked up in the draft. He has to be giving up around 100 pounds to King James. He managed to keep LeBron out of the paint and content to shoot jumpers for most of the second half. It wasn't just CLee though, Pietrus took his turns (getting a steal and an assist to a streaking Hedo in the process), even Lewis guarded him at times.

The Magic played their style of basketball, with playoff intensity, and it paid off. LeBron seems to be getting a little more accustomed to getting the calls than I would like to see, if I were a Cavs fan. Speaking of Cavs fans, I read a lot of complaints this morning about LeBron not getting calls and getting hacked in the paint. I don't think any of them have watched Dwight play very often, or they wouldn't be complaining.

Parting thoughts...

Lots of Cleveland fans in the house last night. Somehow the seats next to mine always seem to be filled with opposing team fans for big games. In the past month, I've had to sit beside fans of the Lakers, Spurs, Celtics, Cavs, and had an obnoxious Wizards fan behind us. Come on Orlando, lets fill this place with Magic fans!

Every month I keep track of the Magic wins and losses on an Orlando Magic calendar. I put a big blue "W" or "L" for the day, depending on the outcome of the game. It's nice when people who don't follow the Magic faithfully see it on the wall and remark on how many wins the Magic have. Orlando has not lost more than three games in any month so far this season.

Watching LeBron argue with a ref after a missed shot and no foul call, I asked the person next to me what he could possibly be saying to the ref. This was her reply:

(said in a horrible imitation of Dave Chappelle) "I'm King James, bitch!"

ESPN's coverage
NBA.com Video
Magic give King James and the Cavs a royal whoopin' - Orlando Sentinel
GM Otis Smith's faith in Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson pays off - Orlando Sentinel
A closer look at Magic vs. Cavs - Orlando Sentinel
Star-crossed Cavaliers get drubbed after snub - Cleveland Plain Dealer
Orlando too much for Cavaliers - Florida Today
Star-Studded Magic Top Cleveland - Lakeland Ledger

The coming of the King and his court (i.e. the national Media)!

Tonight the King, who is foretold to one day take his throne in the center of the media world, comes to grace this backwater town with a visit. He will of course be followed by his adoring subjects in the media kingdom that will tax the media buffet at the Amway tonight.

While Lebron is easily one of the top players in the league along with Kobe, Dwayne Wade and our own Dwight Howard, what has he won so far to justify this media lunacy?

The Cleveland Lebron’s (they will likely offer to drop Cavs and rename the team in 2010 in an effort to keep Lebron out of NY), will be on National TV a league leading 17 times over the rest of this season. Our Magic will be seen only 6 times with 2 of these games being played against Cleveland. To put it into perspective the World champion Celtics will be on 15 times and that other finals team, the Lakers, will be on national TV 12 times.

If it is this bad already considering King James has never won an NBA Championship and plays for a team that the National Media usually ignores, consider the media orgy to come if the predictions come true?

Credit: To whoever created the chopped photo of James in a Knicks uniform.

The Week Ahead

With a winless week behind them, the 33-10 Orlando Magic look to regain their swagger against the Pacers, Cavs, and Raptors this week.

Tuesday:

First is a Tuesday evening home matchup against the Central Division's worst team. Orlando is 2-0 against the Pacers so far this season with wins of 100-98 in overtime on the road and 110-96 at home. Look for Dwight to have a big game after putting up 24 points and 17 rebounds in the first matchup and 32 and 21 in the second. Lookout for Indy's Danny Granger, he's good.

Prediction:

Orlando - 107
Indiana - 96

Dwight Howard - 28 pts., 16 rbs., 4 blks., 0 techs
Jeremy Richardson - 0 minutes

Danny Granger - 32 pts., 0 help from other teammates

Thursday:

The Cleveland Lebron's come to town for a TNT matchup. Cleveland goes into the week with the best record in the NBA (34-8) and will play Sacramento on Tuesday night before flying down to Orlando for Thursday's game. In other words, they will be 35-8 going into the Orlando game.

Prediction:

Cleveland - 97
Orlando - 92

Rashard Lewis - 26 pts., 6 rbs., 3 ast.
JJ Redick - 5 missed FT's.

Lebron James - 30 pts., 8 rbs., 8 ast., 7 friendly superstar calls.

TNT announcers and studio talking heads - 364 uses of Lebron, King James, or James. 4 incorrect statements about Orlando (example: "They haven't even made it out of the first round of the playoffs!").

Tiger Woods shows up, Orlando moves to 0-2 in Woods attended games.

3 Magic related puns the next morning.

Sunday:

In another early Sunday game in Toronto, the Magic will try to make up for their loss up north earlier this month. In the previous matchup Dwight had 39 points, Rashard had 20 points and 9 assists, while Hedo shot a sizzling 4-12 from the field. For some reason Toronto's Anthony Parker played like his sister, Candice Parker, scoring 26 points.

Prediction:

Orlando - 112
Toronto - 103

Dwight Howard - 29 pts., 15 rbs., 5 blks.
Hedo - 20 pts., much better than 4-12 shooting.
Jeremy Richardson - Once again, 0 minutes.

Anthony Parker remembers he's Anthony Parker and scores 12 pts.
Chris Bosh - 35 pts., 17-18 FT's.

Raptor superfan Nav Bhatia goes home unhappy.


Also, on Wednesday the World Economic Forum beigns it's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland... So we have that going for us, which is nice.