Outlook 2008-09

This year, the Magic are coming off a great offseason, surrounded by a lot of anticipation. Last year’s record of 52-30 was good enough to earn us the Southeast division crown. We also beat the Toronto Raptors and went to the second round. That’s where we met the Detroit Pistons who, like last year, were able to send us home early.

This year, however, there is a whole new attitude. The Magic come into this season with one goal.

Championship. Dwight Howard, the Magic’s leader, said that if they don’t get a championship, the season will be wasted.

This offseason we took a good veteran in Michael Petrius, we also drafted a young and athletic SG Courtney Lee. SG was one of our 2 big holes and we filled them very well with these 2 acquisitions.

What about the rest of the conference? Well, the 76ers picked up Elton Brand, Miami and Chicago got instant impact rookies, and the Celtics have been playing together for a year.

Even when you take all of that into account, I still see the Magic as having a very good season. We should be in the top 4 playoffs and we may cause some problems this year in the playoffs.

Here’s my prediction: I think we’re safe out of the first round. But this is where it gets difficult. Against Boston it would be the worst opportunity to advance. We are capable of beating them, but I would not like to face a team with so much experience and so good.

So there’s a 20% chance we’ll continue

How about against Lebron and the Cavs? Well, I think it all comes down to our shoot. If we can have 4 out of 7 good shooters, we move on. If not, then Disney here we go.

49% chance that we will continue

Then there’s our rival Detroit (at least they are to a Magic fan)

The most important thing to remember is that Billups is gone. However, all the other guys who have been very good against us are still there (IE Stuckey). Although I’m not a big fan of Iverson. He’s a very skilled player, but I feel like he’s getting old and the Pistons are more of a concept team.

65% chance we’ll continue (although I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a pretty good time in a best of 7 series).