The Gang That Can't Shoot Straight

I'm in the middle of the ocean as I type this, which is fitting considering the Magic couldn't throw a ball in the ocean last night if they tried. When a team known for its shooting touch shoots less than 30% from the field it will always add up to a L in the win/loss column. But things could be alot worse for Orlando. They could have shot well and STILL lost - then they would have something serious to worry about. As it stands now, they can just chalk up Game 1 to a cold shooting night and expect things to be back to normal on Sunday.

What should be of more of a concern for the Magic is the way Kobe Bryant is playing. To say he is playing like a man possessed is an understatement. All his talk about it not being important to him to win a title without Shaq is a lie - he feels he needs it to solidify his legacy, just like the rest of us feel. The Magic players had no answer for Bryant in Game 1 and seemed clueless after the game as to how they should go about stopping him. Their whole "not much you can do but hope he misses" approach to things after the game doesn't bode well for Orlando. Neither does the fact that pretty much only Kobe went off last night for the Lakers - only two other L.A. players even scored in double-figures - yet Orlando still lost.

Nor does it bode well that Rafer Alston is already complaining about losing his rhythm while he is on the bench and Jameer Nelson is in the game. So while things aren't as bad as they could be with Orlando, they certainly aren't magical either.