3 Point Blogs - 3PointScore.com

Hey hey hey everyone! it's me Mike, or as some call me, 'Mike Believer of Magic'. Doesn't it have a nice ring to it? If anyone was trying to check out 3 point score on 10/19/06 in the morning time we apologize. It appears that someone was hacking into the server for reasons unknown. It's not like we're a bank or making any money off the site or anything. Well any who, let's get down to business. The NBA season is here and I think this is going to be a very Magical season for the Orlando Magic.

My love of the Orlando Magic started back in the 92-93 season when Shaq was breaking rims. This was also thier first season as a club. I stuck with the Magic even after Shaq left for the Lakers. I'm not really sure what it was that made me fall in love with the organization, and at this point I really don't care. All I know is that no matter what type of bone head decisions they make, I can't find it in my heart to root for another team (although I'm supporting the Knicks this year, I'm still Magic all the way). Even when they won only 21 games back in the 03-04 season I still believed in Magic. Now it's the 06-07 season, 16 years later and it looks like the hype is back in O-town. For the first time in a long time, games are sold out. Last time the hype was all about Shaq, this time it's all about Dwight Howard.

Sure, Howard hasn't broken any rims like Shaq did, but after watching some videos of Shaq back in his Magic days, then comparing them to some of Howard's videos, you'll almost swear that you're watching the same person. If you don't believe me, go to youtube.com and search both of them out to see for yourselves. Eventhough most in the NBA still consider the Magic a warm up team, that's not deterring the Magic from believing in, well; Magic.

Young Howard's Shoulders has broadened up since his rookie season and those shoulders are preparing to be put to use as he is expected to carry the Magic to the playoffs this year. If the Magic are truly going to have a good year though, Howard, aka Daily Double, is gonna need a good supporting cast.

If Darko Milicic has the season that everyone is expecting him to have, then he and Howard might become the seasons best front court duo. Darko doesn't play as a normal 7 foot player plays. Darko has a good outside shooting game and passes the ball just as good as any point guard. In fact, he playing style is very much like a point guard. Opposing team's big guys are not use to guarding people with Darko's skills so this can cause lots of match up problems for other teams.

Jameer Nelson, Carlos Arroyo, and recently Travis Deiner are all creating a strong case for the point guard position. It's a problem that a lot of teams in the NBA are willing to help the magic with, so don't be surprised by a nice trade this season. We all knew that Nelson and Arroyo was gonna have a hard fight for the starting position, but Deiner has also stepped up his game and can no longer be ignored. Travis proved himself in the eyes of a lot of people last year when both Francis and Nelson where out for a bit. All Travis needed last season was confidence and this year he has it. For certain teams, having all three of them on the floor might cause major problems, but it would only work for some teams. I can't wait to see how Brian Hill deals with this situation.

Hedo Turkoglu and Tony Battie are always hard, solid, dependable players, which leaves the X-factor known as Grant Hill. Hill still can play the game and if he can stay healthy for the whole season, good things will happen. Just remember that when he was able to play most of the games 2 seasons ago, he made it to the all-stars; and he still can this season. All these years of resting has really paid off because players his age are usually beat up by now. Although it would be nice to get a full season out of Hill in his final year of that God forsaken contract of his, it doesn't really seem to be much of an issue as the Magic seem to be taking a new approach and handling Hill with stride. Instead of putting all their eggs in Hill's basket as they've been doing for the past 7 years, they are confident enough that should Hill fall once again, they have plenty of fire power to compensate this time. Plus the Magic are happy with Grant because he provides great locker room leadership and helps create chemistry, which is hard to come by in this league. Don't be surprised if the Magic resigns him after the season.

I didn't even talk about J.J. Redick, Trevor Ariza or the fact that the last time the Magic went to the finals that their coach was Brian Hill. Even sorry Garrity had an outstanding game recently during this year's pre-season. These are just a few things that I believe will contribute to the Magic having a good season, and there is another reason. After this season, Grant Hill's salary will finally get off the books, which means that the Magic can really shake n' bake for a star next summer that will help young Howard grow into a true star. Major players will already show interest because of Howard and the fact that O-town is getting a new arena, but if the Magic makes it to the playoffs, it will only attract stars to the team even more, the Magic must know this.

A lot of people are saying that there is no way the magic can improve because they didn't change the roster this summer. But if you look at it, although this is the same Magic that ended with a 36-46 season in 05-06, this is also the team that ended the season winning 16 of their last 20 games and this is a different team then the one who started that 05-06 season.

Right before the trade deadline last season, Otis Smith got rid of the talented, yet problem causing Steve Francis to New York for washed up Hardaway's contract and Ariza. Smith also sent Kelvin Cato to Detroit for Arroyo and Milicic (Is Kato still in the NBA?). After these trades the Magic began turning heads as they made a surprising last minute, impressive run for the playoffs. Now this team will have a whole season together and we can truly see what they are capable of, and by the looks of the talent we have this year, I'm pretty sure a lot of those nay Sayers will become believers of Magic by March. Till next time, see ya!