Orlando Magic to host Washington Wizards at Amway Center
Tipping off a season late is not always desirable; however, Orlando Magic have no problem with their opening game against Washington Wizards as they are certainly in a league of their own. Magic will be opening the beautiful new
Amway Center where they are due to host the Wizards, who have improved over the seasons. Magic have been the unlucky ones for the last three seasons as they have not made it to be the champions they are. They have enjoyed being winners of three straight Southeast
Division Titles starting from the 2007-08 Season. The flawless preseason has provided them with the momentum they wish to carry in the regular season. The exhibition play was all about Orlando as they blew out teams left and right with no looking back. The
confidence was high with the existing players as they stood still during the free agency, showing a stern belief in their already healthy roster. The 59-23 regular season was a record in itself.
Wizards, on the other hand are the underdogs with their worst ever 26-56 season. Then there was the magical Draft Lottery win by the wizards that gave them the right to pick John Wall, the point guard who was SEC player of the
year during his season at Kentucky. Averaging 15.7 points, 7.9 assists and 2.1 steals in seven preseason games, Wall is Washington Wizard’s Knight in the shiny armour. Even Guard, Gilbert Arenas is ready to become Robin to this Batman of a player, who has
a habit of finding the basket just at the right time in the game.
Orlando is the team with the real magic, yet being underrated over and again by the fans does not bother them at all. If someone does not believe that they are capable to repeat the magic fourth time in a row they are just fine
with it. Even the formation of a Big Three by the Miami Heat has had no effect on the Magic who are ready to gulp another championship, this time hoping for an 82-0 run. The revamped Washington Wizards do not scare Magic, who lost the 2009 NBA finals to Los
Angeles Lakers in 5 games.
Centre Dwight Howard, who is the twice reigning Defensive player of the year in the League, thinks losing is sometimes the best thing that can happen to a team, since it enhances team spirit, making them a better competition. The
confidence in the roster is quite evident, as most of it remained intact for the Magic, except for small forward Matt Barnes and reserve point guard Anthony Johnson, who were replaced by Quentin Richardson and Chris Duhon respectively. It seems that unlike
Heat, the Magic believe in their current talents and building up team chemistry. The only evident offseason change for Magic is possibly the opening of Amway Centre which is about three times the size of Amway Arena.
Wizards, on the other hand, have their major change in terms of Wall and wish to utilize him to the best of his abilities. Wall is the possible factor that will determine if the Wizards have gained enough confidence to end their
2 years post-season drought. Gilbert Arenas will not be a part of the team for at least the first couple of games due to an injured ankle yet the Wizards wish to go out in the court and execute their game plan to their best.
Another injured player is Josh Howard, who continues to recover from a knee injury, and Al Thornton will possibly start at small forward. Power forward Andray Blatche, who averaged 22.1 points in 32 post-All-Star break will be
starting for the Wizards. The only worrying injury in Magic is that of the experienced guard Jason Williams, whose knee problem makes him a consideration. The Wizards seem to lack the strength to keep up with the powerful rotations by Magic.
At the moment Wizards have put all their stakes on Wall, who has a lot of pressure on his young shoulders. Being the top overall pick is no guarantee of success; however, Wizard’s Coach Flip Saunders thinks he is the best with
things you cannot even teach, yet very coachable. Possibly, the next talented Rajon Rondo, but Wall has to prove his worth against the Magic in the game which is important for both the teams to establish their confidence.
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