Yeah. While everybody's glued to the Cleveland-Boston series, which will probably go the distance, Orlando has managed to cruise to the East finals in great post-season shape. Lakas ng bench nito, tapos healthy pa si Jameer Nelson. Mahihirapan either Cleveland or Boston dito.
Although it's a bit too early to tell, but I think the rematch of last year's Finals will come into fruition. Unless, of course, NBA is really way deep below the ratings game that only a Kobe-LeBron/Lakers-Celtics matchup can bail them out--to which Stern will do everything in his power to make that happen.
I'm a Magic fan, admittedly (goes without saying that it's obvious to which team I recline everytime I post on this thread
), and at this point in time the course of the playoffs have been on the Magic side. However with history on their side, looking back last year with the Cleveland LeBrons falling short on the ECF, it is frightening. I think the Magic is better this year than last, not because of the addition of Carter, but with the reemergence of Nelson as their PG; and complement that with a bench that has the ability to win the series against the Hawks' starting five. Like I'd said, it's still too early too tell and while a lot would claim that the reason why Magic cruised through the past two rounds was merely due to "weaker opponents" and they haven't actually had a tougher opposition. The Bobcats were one of the best in the league in defense (Gerald Wallace can shutdown LeBron), and Atlanta is a young, athletic team worthy to be third in the Eastern Conference standings.
Needless to say, whether Boston or Cleveland advances, it'll be a fun series to watch. Boston's physical defense can shake van Gundy's bum; and LeBron's one-man heroics can either save or sink the Cavs.
