Friday Free Throws: A Weekly Look At The NBA (January 2)

Welcome to Friday Free Throws, my new weekly NBA article published every Friday right here on LayupDrill.com.
Jose Calderon
One of the FFT’s heroes, Calderon sunk two more free throws on Wednesday to increase his streak to 75 consecutive free throws made extending from last season. This season, he is 72 of 72 from the line. Calderon is also third in the league in assists averaging nine per game. Watch him tonight at home against the Houston Rockets as he puts his streak on the line. Read more

In The Paint Southeast Division

In The Paint: Southeast Division
Youth is Served

The NBA’s Southeast Division is perhaps the most promising division in the league. The emergence of the Magic, the development of the Hawks, and the rebirth of the Heat are all storylines of the league this year. Sure, you still have the decline of the Wizards, and the Bobcats who cannot seem to get out of their own way, but both of those teams have talent, and could turn things around fast. Read more

Orlando Magic inching their way up on the rankings

After the Cavaliers loss to the Miami Heat, and the Celtics loss to the Trail Blazers (without Brandon Roy) the Orlando Magic are clearly moving their way up in the power rankings. They have ended the month of December with 12 wins and 3 loses.
Read more

LayupDrill’s Top 10 Fantasy NBA Players

Every 10 weeks LayupDrill.com will list the Top 10 Fantasy NBA Players thus far.

We begin with number 10…

10. Brandon Roy (SG, POR) Read more

Top NBA Moments of 2008

8 Biggest Stories of 2008
A LayupDrill.com Exclusive

As we close out 2008 today, we get a chance to look back and reflect on a very eventful year, both in our country, and in the sport we love. The NBA had quite a year, and these 8 stories made the biggest waves.

8. Pau Gasol traded to the Lakers
When this trade was announced, I knew the Lakers had just pulled off the trade of the year, and perhaps decade. Gasol was moved on 2/1/08 for Kwame Brown, Aaron Mckie, James Crittendon, and first round picks in 2008(Marc Gasol) and 2010. This deal turned the Lakers from pretender to contender, and paid off dividends immediately, as LA made the Finals last year. This year, the Lakers entered as favorites once again to make it to the championship.

7. Houston Rockets win 22 games in a row
The Rockets had an amazing run earlier this year, winning 22 games in a row, and showing their fans and the league what they were capable of doing when Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming were both healthy. Houston would eventually have their streak ended by the Boston Celtics. Read more

Do You Believe in Magic?

After winning their first playoff series in the last 12 years, the Orlando magic got a chance to experience what it was like to compete for the NBA title. You would think losing in the second-round of the playoffs destroyed the magic’s hopes and dreams of becoming NBA champions, but it just left the Magic wanting more…a lot more.

Before the start of the 08-09 NBA season, the Orlando Magic’s entire organization had high hopes of getting a chance at winning the NBA title. General Manager Otis Smith stated for the NBA.com Magic 08-09 Season Preview that, “There is nothing wrong with raising the bar..If you expect a ‘C’ that’s generally what you are going to get. You will get C-work. But if you expect an ‘A’, then we are going to die trying to get there.”

So far this season, that is exactly what the Orlando Magic are doing. Standing at 24-6, the Magic have the third best record in the Eastern Conference, and the fourth best record in the NBA. They are playing like a playoff contending team, but have not gotten much publicity being behind the curtains of the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Do the Magic have a better chance at winning the Finals than the Cavaliers?

In the past 5 games since Dwight’s return from a knee injury, Dwight has not recorded one 20+ point game. A year ago, you would guess that the Magic lost each of these 5 games since Dwight was the nucleus of the team. However, the Magic won all five games. While Dwight is still the nucleus of the team, this year the Magic have learned that they do not need Dwight to win NBA games.

In the 2 games that Dwight missed, (first game Dwight Howard has ever missed in his four-year NBA career), the Magic managed to put up two W’s against the Jazz and Warriors, both away.

This proves that the Magic have realized that it is not all about Dwight in order to win games and that they do not have to rely on him to put up a win. This statement clearly separates the Magic and their play from the Cleveland Cavaliers, making them the stronger team.

Who is doing magic for the Orlando Magic this season?

Jameer Nelson is putting up career numbers in MPG (31.9), FG% (53.1%), PPG (17.0), RPG (3.6), and SPG (1.3). He has scored in double-figures in each of his last 11 games and is on a serious hot streak. Nelson’s ability to play has been criticized by many, but if he can continue to play this way he will prove everybody wrong.

Rashard Lewis is leading the league in 3PTM with 84 on the season. Lewis has stepped up his game by not always relying on his shot and driving the ball to the hoop more often. He is on pace to make 270 FT’s and 549 FG’s, clearly breaking his last season’s 218 FT’s and 516 FG’s made. Rashard is in his prime and will be a huge contributor to the Magic’s success during the playoffs.

What can you expect from the Magic this season?

The Magic are on pace to win over 55 games this season. While it seems a little crazy, it is definitely not out of range, Otis Smith would say.

Season Prediction Record: 58-24

So the question comes down to this…Do you believe in Magic?

Next Page »