New NBA 2010 Champs: Orlando Magic

There's no one that can self-destruct like the Orlando Magic can. Behind coach Stan Van Gundy's hollering and persistence for self-perfection, the Magic can play basketball like there's no tomorrow. Unlike the L.A. Lakers, they've shown that they can self-destruct. In that result they have lost three games in a row consecutively. The Lakers have not lost consecutive games since they acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis in 2008. The Magic have played together as a team together since training camp. They have had ups and downs which isn't exactly self-destructing, although they had a little problem with team chemistry incorporating all the players into SVG's playing system. The Magic rely on Vince Carter's perimeter moves and Dwight Howard's dunks and defensive presence. Orlando would love to have Rashard Lewis get down there in the paint and get those rebounds. Lewis' ability to shoot the three from the outside and to get rebounds on both ends of the floor are valuable for a 6 foot, 10 inch, 230 pound big man. His versatility and quickness are valuable assets for someone of his size and caliber. Matt Barnes' hustle and perimeter defense are worthy of a championship contender in the Magic to the 2009 NBA champion Lakers. His defense on Kobe Bryant in the Magic win earlier this season was terrific. He must play that way to get under Kobe's skin in the NBA Finals should the Magic and Lakers meet again. Orlando doesn't need to rely on Dwight Howard's domination in the paint to win ballgames anymore. They have other perimeter scorers who can lay the smackdown on opposing defenses. The Magic's defensive efficiency is top notch as a matter of fact. It will be a tough night for opposing offenses to score against a stingy and zone Magic defense. If the Magic do want to regain their championship form, point guard Jameer Nelson must be able to hit all of his shots from anywhere on the floor. He must score to his advantage if he is to beat the other point guards at his position and they will be plenty of speedy point guards in the NBA playoffs who can make shots on their term. If the Lakers are to win the 2010 NBA championship, their bench players must contribute to the game as much as possible in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, energy, and hustle than the Orlando Magic bench group of J.J. Redick, Mickael Pietrus, Jason Williams, Marcin Gortat, Anthony Johnson, Brandon Bass, and Ryan Anderson. My prediction for the 2010 eventually NBA champs will the Orlando Magic and their first franchise title in history. If the Magic self-destruct, it will be because of team chemistry.