I vented some after the game because I was frustrated about not getting a chance to help our team on the offensive end. It’s hard to get into the flow very much when you only get 10 shots and not very many touches at all.
My only point is that we’ve been an inside-out team all season and we’ve had a lot of success with that. But now it seems like we’re getting away from that game plan. I wasn’t even touching the ball late in the game, much less shooting it.
I just think that’s the way we have to play to win. We got the lead against the Celtics by running, moving the ball in and out and defending. But we stopped doing those things and the Celtics never died. They are the defending champs, so we know they’re never going away.
I just hope that we, as a team, see that we can’t keep dropping our heads when things go bad and when we aren’t getting calls. The Celtics keep fighting and they are never out of games because they have that trust in one another in the fourth quarter.
I still have a lot of faith in my team. I still believe we can win this series. We have to get one win on our homecourt and do what it takes to send this series to a Game 7. We all know anything can happen in a Game 7, even with that so-called Celtic mystique I keep hearing about.
Yes, I was frustrated about not getting the ball. But we’ll get things corrected and be ready to go on Thursday. We still have life.
– DWIGHT
Fans: Be sure to check out Dwight on Twitter and Facebook.
Hey yo
Now Dwight, I will tell you this man, your gonna have to start playing with more emotion, throw the smile to the side and play with more brute controlled force, your not gonna be able to keep tippy toeing around Kendrick Perkins, stop just tossing the ball in the rim barely touching the rim when you dunk…start slamming that bitch and put fear in there hearts. You could easily be the most dominating center in the league..but in my eyes, you play too happy…get mean, demand the ball..these are the things Alonzo, Pat, Hakeem, David, Wilt and Shaq did, you have to control the team from the inside, get mean man…I still love ya game as a player, but im gonna tell you like ive been seeing it. You wont be able to smile your way to a championship. You got to grit your teeth and fight thru like Jordan, Larry, and Zeke did. There are no friends when that trophy is on the line.
I feel you 100%, Van Gundy does need to stick with what is working; if the starters are making it happen, let them continue to do so, and if the bench is making it happen then let them do so. When U know someone can make big plays, allow them to do what they do. In reference to those who choose to criticize U for expressing your feelings about the coach, no, U weren’t wrong (but just to keep the unity, make sure that he understands where U were coming from). When U felt that U played a major part in game 2’s loss U spoke on it, so it was only right that U spoke on your feelings in reference to Game 5’s loss.
Ya’ll can definitely win, but ya’ll MUST be consistent throughout the entire game. If at any time your team is not within 8 or ahead 8, ya’ll have to start doing something different and make the game go in your favor. Because those probable four, possible three possession can go by so quickly especially in the 4th. When ya’ll get a lead whether it is 2 or 20 play hard, even as if you were down. Don’t look back and definitely don’t allow them to come back into the game AT ALL.
In order to win you guys need to play tough in every aspect of the game. You guys need to shoot at least 55%, be on those offensive rebounds as heavy as ya’ll go for the defensive rebounds, make more steals, draw more and give less fouls.
Don’t let yesterdays loss turn into frustration, but instead turn it into determination. Be determined to win 2 back to back; U guys definitely have the skill to do it 100% without a doubt. Make sure that the entire team is of the same mindset; that it’s going to happen NO MATTER WHAT.
As I have said before, BELIEVE that this series is the Magics’ and it will be. There WILL BE a game 7 and when the last second runs off the clock in the 4th, the MAGIC WILL BE ADVANCING to the ECF. I believe & U believe (when 2 or more agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven) therefore IT’S SETTLED!!! GO Magic!!!
God Bless,
Love
Dwight,
I’m a huge fan and know that you’ll be getting even better at your game, but if you want to get the ball more you gotta prove it first. Where’s your one-on-one game, big guy? We know you can out-muscle Kendrick Perkins, so post him and dominate that guy offensively. I know Coach didn’t make some good adjustments with the substitutions, especially bringing JJ out, but you guys didn’t have to run the clock.
Anyway, you can wrap this up and show that you’re better than the Celtics and can most definitely bring a trophy to Orlando.
Stay strong, Ed
Sorry Dwight, I just don’t see it happening. You guys don’t have enough heart. You guys don’t stick together. You guys give up. You’re not on the same page. It’s just not your time. It takes more than strength of body to win against a team like the Celtics. It takes strength of mind. What kind of guy blames his coach when the game isn’t won? You guys lost your composure, and now you’re losing your team spirit. It’s not all about you Dwight. Sorry. Looks like the Celtics have that kryptonite.
ATTENTION ALL MAGIC COACHES, FANS, PERSONNEL, PLAYERS, & UPPER MANAGEMENT…DWIGHT HOWARD IS THE GOTO GUY ON THE ORLANDO MAGIC.
You will NOT win if you do not go to him…Early & late, free throw shooting be damned. You CANNOT rely on the 3 late in the game, especially with the lead. You get it in low & grind it out. I respect Lewis, I respect Hedo, I respect your role players…but they are not franchise. It is what it is.
Hey Dwight,
I just wanted to tell you that I still believe in you guys. There are a lot of Celtic fans and overall haters saying that this series is over, but it’s not. If you guys just adjust a little bit and figure out how to keep these leads, I truly believe the Magic will take this series and hopefully Lebron in the next round. Don’t listen to any of this negative energy some people are putting out. You have an entire city behind you and we know we deserve a championship more than any other team in the NBA. So, tommorow night, go out there and take a look at the crowd at Amway. Remember that you have all of our support, and when we go to Boston and beat the Celtics in game 7, everybody who ever had anything bad to say will shut their mouths.
Best of luck to you….GO MAGIC!
Yo man y’all my team but u won’t get the ball if you keep turning it over bro.concentrate man and tell the guys to stop chucking threes.it’s different if you are doubled and then kick it out to the arc.magic are my team for life but you guys choked and took some of the worst shots ever.good luck in game 6
Dwight, I understand what you’re saying, but why would they feed you the ball on the low block when all you were doing is throwing up forced hook shots, or turning it over?
Remember that one play in the 4th quarter? You threw a missed hook, and instead of grabbing the ball (which hit your own feet), you looked at the ref to complain.
You gotta step it up bro. It’s do or die time now.
Hey Dwight! I’ve faith in you and I know you can do it! Every time you have the ball I know people Boo, but you are the best and they are just jealous! I believe in the whole team! you guys can do it! Celtics just have few good players but OUR team, every single player is amazing! so I know you will guys will be amazing in the game 6 and 7, you guys will win! Good luck!! I believe in you and rest of the team!
<3
like you said, gotta play MAGIC ball. its all about mental toughness, games not over til its over. celtics may have the playoff experience, but that doesnt entitle them to anything. you are right- magic has to play the way they have all season…thats why you are here in the 2nd round now. inside out team- thats what works for you and you cant let the pressure change your game. easier said than done i know, but everyone believes in you and the rest of the magic. you’re a great leader and one game, or even one series, does not change that. you’re positive energy will translate to the rest of the team….and there WILL be a game 7
You’ve got 2 games to restore the fans faith and the leagues respect. TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS!!! No more running hook shots, you’re not a finesse player. Back down Perkins, lay it in or dunk it.
Hey what’s up Dwight?
Regarding the style of play, I think you guys are playing well but not a full 48 of good basketball. I think you all should hold a players only meeting tonight so you guys can get on the same page.
I know the past two losses have been frustrating but the series isn’t over yet. When it is crunch time and Rafer is shooting jumpers and Turk is taking contested fall aways, you need to bring everyone together and get everybody settled down.
Also, talk to Stan about Courtney not playing much in the past few games. He played only 11 minutes in game 5 and he is a better defender and overall player than J.J.
If you guys have 10+ point lead in game 6, make sure you guys run your stuff and when things start getting out of hand, tell Rafer or A.J. to slow it down.
I know it isn’t your style to call for the ball but you should call for the ball when you’re feeling it. You draw the double sometimes and you get them in foul trouble.
All the analysts, Jalen Rose, Tim Legler, and other ESPN voices doubt you guys. That should give you all motivation to go out and prove them wrong. Just stick to the game plan and put the Celtics out of the game early. Go Magic!
While I think the Magic have a hard time realizing that a game is never over until the last second on the clock runs out, I want to comment on the terrible terrible calls that occur in the NBA (especially in relation to the Boston Celtics). I may come off bias because I call Orlando my home, but I KNOW I’m not blind. I see what the Celtics get away with and it’s ridiculous!
With that said; the Magic need to come to their playoff games keeping that in mind. The Celtics will play physical, knowing there will be no consequences and they will weasel every point they can when they feel the pressure of a team that may actually intimidate them.
Dwight! you’ve got to lead your team. Ignore what the people say about your persona being too soft. You didn’t win defensive player of the year by smiling at your opponents. You are the most AMAZING basketball player I have ever seen. Not only because of your defensive skill, but because you have the biggest heart out there. You are not just a great technical player. You are a FANTASTIC judge of character. My advice is to keep doing what you do so well. Block as many shots as you can! Get your hands on the ball when it counts and keep sinking those free-throws you work so hard on making. I will be there tomorrow night sending every bit of positive energy I can to you guys. Just do what you KNOW you can do best! Destroy the Celtics!
Hey Dwight. I feel your frustration but unless u start proving that u can handle the responsibility then the team wont trust you down the stretch. Perkins is fouling u really well and the refs aren’t calling it; u are gonna have to accept that. How u choose to handle it is up to u.
Composure, Strength, and Heart!!! Blue and White Ignite!!! Dwight!! You have the key to the city and a new events center coming!!! Lets get this series over with because we are the best team in the nba! Lets get that championship trophy and banner this year and next year you will be defending champions!! Step up and lead the whole team.. tell everyone how you feel and dont hold back.!!! GO MAGIC!!
I guess kryptonyte is really Celtic green
Dwight keep up the good work, I believe in you and the team, I know we will be playing the cavs next week. Some fans may be giving up, but not I, do you know someone broke my magic flag off my car, and some of my fellow classmates wore green today, just to make me upset, but you and the magic will always be #1, no matter what. So keep up the good work, and keep on motivating your team. LOVE YA, (FAN LOVE I THINK, LOL).
Hi Dwight. You guys need to continue to play defense at the end of these games. Don’t think its over before it is. The Celtics won’t give up. Just get up in their faces and make them work for it. You need that defensive intensity that you had in the regular season. Knock some of those shots away and make them think twice about driving. And please get up in Big Baby’s face don’t let him take those uncontested shots. Maybe if you block one of his shots he’ll start crying. Go Magic!
Dwight,
Keep your head up. Stay positive. You guys can win this series and prove to everyone that the Magic are for real with our backs against the wall. Just think…get these last two games and we head to Cleveland and play a team we match up with so well that I feel we got that series in 5 games. WE STILL BELIEVE IN THIS TEAM! GO GET IT DONE!
GO MAGIC!!!
#1 fan
Yo Dwight,
You guys are a BETTER TEAM than Boston. LIke you said play your style and get the W tomorrow and then take it to them in Boston. You have already proven you can beat them in Boston several times. The series is still YOURS TO WIN OR LOSE. Take it to them hard and leave everything on the court then win or lose you will have nothing to be ashamed of. Good teams can bounce back when everyone else says they are down and out. You guys ARE a good basketball team. Show us what you are made of tomorrow man. Be prayin for ya!
-RC
Blue & White Ignite!!! or Blue & White Goodnight!!!
Prayer has nothing to do with it, people. Solid play is what this is about.
You guys have it in you. Remember Christmas night? and how about that game vs Cavs at the end of the season. YOU KILLED THEM! So I say : I’ll see You in Easter Finals!!!! Good luck and stay together.
You guys had them down the entire last game! I don’t want to hear anybody complain about a lack of heart and desire out of this team. I know you guys want it, so do all of us Orlando fans who have grown up with this team. You have an entire generation of young people looking up to you Dwight, and they all understand that this is the greatest time in the history of our franchise, thanks to you and everybody on that court.
You outplayed the champs for 43 minutes of a 48 minute game. Tonight, you will outplay them for all 48.
Good Luck!
Clint
YOU GUYS GOTTA COME OUT CRAZED TONIGHT! LETS DO THIS!!
The Magic do have the better active players in this series. You must believe that you should win, not that you simply can win. There needs to be a little more “We” need to get points at the end, and less “I” need touches and “I” want to make the big shot. I’m not talking about only Dwight here, but I mean Hedo, Rashard, and everyone on the floor. Take smart shots. If you don’t have it, give it to the next guy. Magic can win this. “Believe in Magic!”
Dwight Howard has no game! The game of basketball is more than just dunks. If you put a body on him, he is as ineffective as his winning dunk in the dunk contest. How in the HELL do get to this level without a post game,without a go to move and without the basics…Easy! The league has been watered down to exclude all basic and sound basketball. Look at the entire game and not just highlights and you will see guys standing around,looking up at the rim, like th ball is suppose to just fall in their hands..Are these pro’s doing this? Look at how many dunks these clowns get without a body touching them under the rim.. This game has been designed for late night high-lights only. Look at the finals and you will see limited guys like Lamar Odum, who has only one hand in the game of basketball, practicing a layup with his right hand-IN THE FINALS. Not only that, how in the hell do you allow a guy who has only one hand to go to his strong side? This is a joke! This game is a joke. Howards game is a joke. Now watch next year as the NBA suck all you gullible minds in with a little return to the fundamentals of the game. But before they suck you in, make sure you preview games before they return to the basics. This game has been watered down a long time ago. OK-Dwight, now that we know you have no game and your playing on the highest level, you can start practicing on the basics you should have learned a long time ago,along with Lamar Odum and so many others.