So the Magic are little more than an all-or-nothing jump-shooting team, according to Ira Winderman?  I think he forgot about Dwight Howard, who averages more than 21 ppg and more than 14 rebs per game at center, and I guess he isn't aware of the versatility of both our forwards, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis, who can drive to the hoop just as easily as they can drain outside jumpers.

I was watching NBA Fastbreak on ESPN Saturday night.  One of the hosts, J.A. Adande, said he believes the Magic have a good chance to win the East, because of the dominance of Howard and the good outside shooters the Magic have, and also because no team in the league has beaten BOS and DET more than the Magic.

Another one of the hosts, former NBA player Jamal Mashburn, doesn't believe the Magic can go very far, because he thinks the PGs, Nelson and Arroyo, aren't worthy enough and aren't good enough defensively; he also thinks the Magic turn the ball over too much and aren't good enough defensively; and I think he said something about Howard's mediocre FT shooting also.

Being someone who always tries and looks at the positive side of things, I tend to agree with Adande and his view of the Magic.  Mashburn is right when he talks about the weaknesses of the Magic, but I think their strengths will be enough to overcome their weaknesses, and should get them a good showing in the playoffs.

I am totally OK with the pundits, outside beat writers, and various hangers on dismissing the Magic.  I read Ira too and sense some "sour grapes" in his outlook and tone.  When the history of the mid-00’s Heat is written they will be compared to the 1975 Golden State Warriors, a team that won a championship yet nobody can figure out how.