Orlando is definately going to be a very difficult team to beat.  Sure, they lost Hedo and Courtney Lee... But they did get Vince Carter as well as Brandon Bass.

Not to mention, they will now have a healthy Jameer Nelson

You have a starting lineup looking like...

PG - Jameer Nelson SG - Vince Carter SF - Rashard Lewis PF - Brandon Bass C - Dwight

That is still an absolutely sick lineup.  Let's compare this to the team that beat the Cavs in the post-season

PG - Alston SG - Courtney Lee SF - Rashard Lewis PF - Hedo C - Dwight.

Looking at these two lineups I personally think that lineup number one is stronger.  Hedo really didn't even have the greatest season last year until the playoffs.  He just had a breakout post season and hit a lot of clutch shots because we didn't have anyone with enough height to contest him.  He was about a 16, 5 & 5 guy with a really low FG %. Also, keep in mind about  a healthy Jameer Nelson.  This is going to be huge for them, because he was an All-star PG last season before he got hurt.  I believe he was also their leading scorer at that point.

Vince has still been looking very good over the last few seasons.  I know stats don't mean a whole lot, but Vince has similar stats but averages 4 more PPG with a higher FG Percentage.  Vince also averages about the same Rebs and Assists. 

Long story short, I do not know why people count the magic out of being an elite team this year. 

I have read a lot of posts this morning where people seem to think, "The Cavs are good but not as good as the elite teams like Boston, LA, and San Antonio."

If anything, San Antonio should be taken out of the three.  I really do not see San Antonio being near contenders this season with or without Richard Jefferson.  LA is still superior to them and they're in the same conference.  I also feel that Denver has a much better chance at reaching the 2 seed.

Conclusion:  Sure Boston and LA are very good and should absolutely be considered Elite Teams.  But, I don't think San Antonio should be classified with them.  Last, I do think that Orlando is going to be just as good as last season if not better.

yea its in the back of everyones  mind what they did to the CAVS last post season. The CAVS, Celtics and Magic are def the top three teams in the East. It could either one of these teams going to the Finals

I'm not counting them out. The Cavs match up better with them this year so that'll be a good battle when we meet them. I think the Cavs have the edge on them this year. Obviously that remains to be seen but I believe the Cavs will be the better team this year. As for them against the Celtics, they simply can not beat Boston. Unless someone gets hurt again, I don't even think they have a shot. Boston just matches up with them perfectly. If the Magic face the Cavs in the playoffs, I see us winning in six or seven games. If the Magic face Boston in the playoffs, I see Boston winning in five or six.

Oct 22, 2009 -- 2:44PM, Maurice wrote:

I'm not counting them out.

 

Unless someone gets hurt again, I don't even think they have a shot.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I WILL NEVER SPEND ANOTHER PENNY ON THE CAVS...... I WAS BOOTED OUT YESTERDAY "NEWYORK" BECAUSE MAKING THE MOD "SUZIE" UPSET....... THATS FINE WITH ME .....ANYONE CAN FREAKIN CREATE ANOTHER SCREEN NAME WITH A DIFFERENT EMAIL.....FOOLS.....AND BOOT ME OUT AGAIN.....WHO CARES...... HERE WAS MY SPENDING FOR THE LAST 3 YRS.

2006 = $ 5,000

2007 = $ 8,000

2008 = $ 10,000

2009 = $ 10,000 + NOT ANY MORE

I AM 50 YRS OLD WITH 10 GRANDCHILDREN WHO WALKS AROUND IN CAVS GEAR THAT WILL NO LONGER GET GIFTS WITH cavs ON IT!

PLEASE PASS ALONG MODS THIS TO THE OWNER WHICH THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT!

THANK YOU SUZIE & MODS AGAIN FOR SAVING ME THE TIME & MONEY....WHICH I WILL BE HAPPY TO SPEND ON THE YANKEES GEAR!

YOU BBIIAATTCCHH!