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.