Post by JScott on Oct 12, 2004 16:45:49 GMT -5
ORLANDO---What began as a team that looked like it would contend for a top 5 draft spot, has now been playing playoff caliber basketball. The Orlando Magic had started the season with a 13-8 record, and 9-3 at home.
"You gotta win at home.." said Outspoken Power Forward Charles Barkley. "You can't expect to win if you go belly up in you're [editor's note: I realize that the use of "you're" right there is incorrect as it should be "your" but it adds to the Barkley persona, so please bare with me] own place. Winning on the road, it's always tough, but if you can go out and with 50% of those games, while still winning at home, you've got a championship basketball team."
"Ya" added Orlando newcomer Vlade Divac.
While the play of Rod Strickland hasn't quite lived up to the coaches high expectations, they do feel that he is still their man for the job. They might tinker in the near future by starting Nate McMillan at the point to see if his more laid back approach is better for the offensive flow.
"Yeah, I can see the coach doin' that. He's a punk anyway, I wish I could go all Latrell Sprewell on his ass." said Rod Strickland, but the Latrell reference is over this reporters head as it is only 1989 and Latrell won't even be in the league for a few more years.
The overall objective in the locker room was obviously to secure a spot in the post season, a feat which they believe is reachable. It will still probably be a few more years until Orlando fans are ready to truely compete for the ring, but it's exciting to have a winner where there was only supposed to be a team vying for a high lottery pick.
"You gotta win at home.." said Outspoken Power Forward Charles Barkley. "You can't expect to win if you go belly up in you're [editor's note: I realize that the use of "you're" right there is incorrect as it should be "your" but it adds to the Barkley persona, so please bare with me] own place. Winning on the road, it's always tough, but if you can go out and with 50% of those games, while still winning at home, you've got a championship basketball team."
"Ya" added Orlando newcomer Vlade Divac.
While the play of Rod Strickland hasn't quite lived up to the coaches high expectations, they do feel that he is still their man for the job. They might tinker in the near future by starting Nate McMillan at the point to see if his more laid back approach is better for the offensive flow.
"Yeah, I can see the coach doin' that. He's a punk anyway, I wish I could go all Latrell Sprewell on his ass." said Rod Strickland, but the Latrell reference is over this reporters head as it is only 1989 and Latrell won't even be in the league for a few more years.
The overall objective in the locker room was obviously to secure a spot in the post season, a feat which they believe is reachable. It will still probably be a few more years until Orlando fans are ready to truely compete for the ring, but it's exciting to have a winner where there was only supposed to be a team vying for a high lottery pick.