Puns Predicts
Written by The Big Train   
Thursday, 04 June 2009 08:11

meer

Today is the day. After 14 years in purgatory, the Orlando Magic will have their second crack at winning the NBA Finals. Much like the Cleveland series, the consensus pick seems to be the Lakers, but don't count out our Magic. During the Conference Finals, 3 out of 7 Puns writers correctly picked Orlando in 6. It's time to see how we will fare on the biggest of stages. 


Supply and Demand:

After perfectly predicting the Cavs series outcome, this one is much harder to analyze and predict. The Magic presented serious match-up problems for our opponents that made guessing the outcome of the first three series much easier. This one has so many questions for both teams like: Can Ariza still be productive enough offensively to match his defensive prowess? Can Rafer Alston take advantage of Derek Fischer the same way Jameer did during the regular season series? Can Jameer come back from his season ending surgery to give the Magic what amounts to a big weapon off the bench? Can Pietrus play Kobe as well as he did Lebron? Can Bynum stay out of foul trouble and keep Dwight from dominating the paint? The Magic swept the season series but both of these teams have changed since then, my head tells me this will go the full seven, my heart has to pick the Magic in 7. This best road team in NBA takes the title despite home court.

Magic in 7

The Big Train:

So, here we are. The Finals. The matchup advantages that Orlando had over LeBron and Cleveland has been discussed, and discussed, and discussed. Orlando does not have the same luxury in this series. Don't count on Bynum playing much better than Z, and Ariza, Gasol, and Odom are pretty much better than anyone else on Cleveland other than LeBron... Especially the way Mo played in that series. So, the key to this series will be how LA's defense fairs against Dwight Howard. Will they double a lot? If so, will Dwight be able to either get to the basket before the help comes or find the open man on the perimeter? If LA plays Hack-a-Dwight will the big guy be able to step up and hit 70% like he did against Cleveland? Will the Magic let Kobe get his own, but shut down Gasol and the rest? These questions will be answered over the next few weeks. As for my prediction... It's going to be another round of heart attacks for Magic Nation. LA will take Game 1, with Orlando bouncing back to take Game 2. When the series switches to Orlando, the Magic will take two of three and will hold a 3-2 advantage going back to LA. The Lakers will take Game 6 by 15 points, and - here we go - Rashard Lewis will knock down a 3 with 4 seconds left in Game 7 to win it for Orlando.

Magic in 7

Paul Ego:

This team grew up after game five in Boston. It's like they finally got what Stan has been yelling about this entire season. I don't see them buying into the Laker mystique or the general consensus that they should be glad to have made it this far and prepared to step aside so the Laker's can step up and take yet another title. Stan has this team ready to fight and I can't wait to watch. Make no mistake, this won't be as easy as the Cleveland match up (which could have easily been a sweep), but the Magic have shown me that they do not fold, they are mentally tough. physically tough, and have come to play.Listen! And Understand! The Magic are out there. They can't be bargained with! They can't be reasoned with! They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And they absolutely will not stop, ever, until the finals are over! Thanks to you, Stan Van Gundy.

Magic in 6

Maxwell Effort:

I saw it in Dwight's eyes during Game 6. He wants this. I heard it from him in his halftime interview when he was panting and sweating like crazy and told Craig Sager he just wants it so bad. He is a man on a championship mission and has the cast around him to accomplish the goal. I know it is not supposed to be about the Magic but rather Kobe's validation and legacy post-Shaq. But I do not think the Magic players ever get caught up in the moment or the perspective of the national media. This team is so focused on just playing their game I kind of chuckle at the can the Magic handle this stage type chatter. They have been counted out all season in almost every sense including the playoffs and yet they find themselves 4 victories from the championship. I know the Lakers with Kobe and his supporting cast present the absolute greatest challenge to them but my heart tells me this Magic team is up to the task.

Magic in 6

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written by NotByChoice, June 05, 2009
Reading Paul Ego's prediction got me pumped up! Is that last part from a movie?

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Image of the day: Via Orlando Sentinel

The Mission. The Statement.

We are Terry and The Pump Fakes, Jareth Cutestory, Vile Feminista, Maxwell Effort, I 3 Freely, Paul Ego, Supply and Demand, El Fantasma de Carlos, The Big Train, The Nickel Steak, Ayo!, and Tyson J. Perfect. Together, we are Magic fans. We remember Nick’s steal against Jordan, Billy Donovan, Scott Skiles, Jerryl Sasser and Reece Gaines, The Mac Attacks, the NBA on NBC, and Grant Hill’s ankle. We also watch TV and read the internet, thus noticing the endless flow of unoriginal Orlando Magic related puns. We have combined to discuss the Magic, the NBA, and from time to time supply side economics and the life of Leonardo da Vinci. Together we are The Puns Are Starting to Bore Me.

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