Making a Magical Run

Looking to repeat their success from last season as Eastern Conference champions, this season the Orlando Magic are a step forward in making their NBA title run. This time around, they have a perimeter scorer in Vince Carter whom the Magic acquired over the summer of 2009. They let Hedo Turkoglu leave via free agency. With the new addition of Vince Carter, the Magic also have scoring forwards in Ryan Anderson and Brandon Bass. As Dwight Howard still dominates the middle of the paint, the perimeter is open up for three-point shooters as Jameer Nelson, Mickael Pietrus, Rashard Lewis, Matt Barnes, Carter, J.J. Redick, and Anthony Johnson can shoot the lights out. I can see the Magic seriously contending for a championship run. They will have challenges playing against the likes of Kevin Garnett and the Celtics, Lebron James and his mighty Cavs, the improving and always high-flying Hawks, Kobe and the defending 2009 NBA champions Lakers, the Dirk Nowitzki-led Dallas Mavericks, the Denver Nuggets led by Carmelo Anthony, the young Portland Trail Blazers, and Steve Nash leading the high-octane Phoenix Suns offense. The Magic will be a threat to the Lakers, but I can see Orlando either beating Boston in the east final or losing to the Lakers for a second time in a row.

Ron Artest's Emergence to the Lakers

Just how important is it for the Lakers to be successful in order for Ron Artest to simply fit in? The answer? There is no answer. Because Phil Jackson is the LA Lakers head coach, he knows how to blend in and out outrageous personalities and handling the likes of Dennis Rodman in the past should be no problem handling the volatile Ron Artest. The burly, muscular small forward is forever known in Detroit for charging into the stands and fighting with the NBA fans simply because someone threw a paper cup at him, igniting one of the worst NBA basketball brawls in sports history. For Artest's role within the Lakers organization, not much has changed. He has the task of taking charge of the team's defense, while his fellow teammate, Kobe Bryant ignites the Laker offense. Artest can simply dominate the perimeter defender, whoever he has, and on the offensive end, simply overpower his defender with his bionic combination of strength and power. The Lakers will be successful with Artest, if Ron-Ron can balance his off-court antics with his talents on the basketball court. He must not get involved with any kind of extracurricular activity, nor jeopardize his tenure while with the Lakers. I can see Artest simply dominating the opponents' offensive strategies, because he is so good and so dominanting on defense.