May 28
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: “Most things are overstated in the ying and yang of the playoffs, but this is not one of them: Tonight’s the biggest night in the history of the Orlando Magic since 1995. Why? If the Magic win Game 6 against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, they will have …
May 26
George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel: “For [Orlando] Magic fans, it’s all about the heartbeat of hope. Their team showed a pulse in Monday night’s overtime victory against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. About time, especially after the 94-71 stinker a few nights ago. For Celtics fans, there is the cautionary tick of panic. …
May 24
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: “Historical evidence indicates the Orlando Magic are vacation-bound, unable to change the course of the series against the Boston Celtics. But maybe tonight they can change — or erase — an unflattering image that could dog them into the summer and beyond after Saturday night’s Boston Massacre.” George Diaz of the Orlando …
May 22
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: “A not-so-funny thing happened to the [Orlando] Magic on the way to a second consecutive Finals appearance: The 2008 championship Celtics have materialized.They didn’t step out of an Iowa cornfield or magically appear through some heaven-sent cigar smoke from the late Red Auerbach. The tough old birds got their legs back, …
May 18
Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel: “[Orlando] Magic coach Stan Van Gundy decided before the series that he would use [Vince] Carter to defend Paul Pierce and [Matt] Barnes to defend Allen — the opposite of how the Magic began games against the Celtics during the regular season. Pierce scored 22 points, and Van Gundy said Monday that …
May 16
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: “If their chance to construct a championship era was any grander, it would be lit up in blinking neon and announced by blaring horns. Surely, the Orlando Magic have taken a look around the shifting league landscape below them and admired the view. [...] If the Magic can’t see an opening …
May 10
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: “Want to play with Dwight Howard and the Magic? Only shooters need apply. It’s all part of the plan or “formula,” as General Manager Otis Smith calls it. When the Magic landed Howard in the 2004 draft, they decided to surround him with guys who could put the ball in the basket, especially from …
May 08
Tania Ganguli of the Orlando Sentinel: “One thing [Orlando] Magic coach Stan Van Gundy likes about his team is that their success will depend not on whether or not they put forth the right amount of effort each night or other intangibles. ”These guys have been great,” Van Gundy said. “They enjoy playing together. They play well …
May 06
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel: “[Stan] Van Gundy said his team was serious even though all the [Orlando] Magic did was watch film and shoot. He said players have been sharply focused ‘for the last three months.’ And, to a man, says small forward Mickael Pietrus, they are on ‘a mission’ to win the title. They …