Well, we’re coming back home for a Game 6. Let’s just hope that we get a few more breaks back at Amway Arena than we did last night up in Cleveland. I gotta watch myself, but that was kinda crazy.
Ya’ll can look at the TV and tell me what ya’ll saw. I’m straight up and down on that sixth foul against LeBron and he gets the whistle. I didn’t even touch Z on my third foul in the third quarter but they say I hit him on the elbow.
I’m not going to lie – I’m frustrated with the calls that we’ve gotten in this series, but I can’t let it take me away from my focus. I know there’s nothing that I can do about it and I just have to stay aggressive even when stuff like that is going against us. I can’t worry about these calls that just tend to be going against me and I have to play my game.
It should have never come down to that stuff last night if we would have started the game better. They were making shots, like 67 percent in the first quarter, and we just weren’t getting any tough stops. And on offense, we turned the ball over way too much and that just let to even more easy baskets for them.
We fought back again in that second quarter, took a nice lead in the third and we were right there in the fourth. But LeBron killed us making plays and again those turnovers led to too many run-outs for them.
We have to try something different on LeBron because it’s just too easy for him now. He’s catching it in the sweet spot and it’s one dribble to the basket for him. We have to make it more difficult for him and make him take tougher shots.
They defended their homecourt here at The Q, and now it’s on us as a team to do the same back at Amway. Our crowd will be loud and behind us and I know we’ll play better. This game does nothing to shake our confidence. As long as we defend better, move the ball, run and get a few breaks we still feel like we’re going to win this series. There’s a lot of work left to be done and it won’t be easy, but we’ll be ready to get that one on Saturday night. Believe that!!!
Holla at ya’ll Saturday at Amway. Bring the noise for us. — DWIGHT
Fans: Be sure to check out Dwight on Twitter and Facebook.
Tags: 2009 NBA Playoffs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dwight Howard Blog, Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
LETS DO THIS..Sat night is yours…Magic all the way!
Keep up the good work. You guys are playing amazing games. Just, as a team, block more shots at the basket. That’s my only concern. Other than that, I’m so proud of all of you guys; you are really stepping it up!
“C’mon Dwight! Get some rebounds!!!” Just kidding! You guys are a great team! Better than Lebron’s one man show. Even the King won’t be able to carry his team to the finals. Close them out on Saturday!!! I’m rooting for you!!!!
Yo, just keep doing what you’re doing. You’re doing great out there. We just need more defense out on the perimeter. If we focused less on LJ and more on their outside shooters, then we got the game in the bag. Cause as along as nobody else score more than 20 points other than LJ, than we’re going to win. If we can force him to do it all by himself and we come out scoring on the other end…We’ll win. Let’s have king James have it his way and lose. That’s all I gotta say. Other than that, I gotta say that last night…the better team won because they fed off the energy from the crowd. Which is what we’ll do. Good job Dwight and the rest of the team.
Keep you head UP, baby you the only el numero 1
Love u
You got the 6th foul legitimately. It’s not like your squad doesnt get away with fouls either. You should get the same treatment as shaq. When shaq does the same moves as you, he gets the offensive fouls called on him.
Slow starts kill us worse than the officials do. Fortunately, that hasn’t seemed to be a problem much at home. We need this one bad. This is our Game 7 and we need to come out swinging. Calls will probably go against us, just like they did all series, but the one way to keep them from hurting is bad is to flat-out dominate the game at both ends of the floor.
That starts with you, big guy. Get aggressive. Dominate the glass. Swat some shots. Pump your teammates up. The Cavs are still standing because of one man. But we’re a team. Let’s send this one-man team home for good this time. Get after it, play Magic basketball. If we get off to a good start and sustain for 48 minutes, we WILL win this game.
You do all that, and in a week or so, maybe we’ll see a certain two puppets watching the Finals from their couch.
Man I think ya’ll are going to do great!!! I was surprised when I finally got to the game on T.V. and the team being down that far!!!!! but when I saw it I looked at My wife and said hey I don’t care they”ll still win!!! and really meant it!! Because I seen yall down that much before and came back and won it!!!! Ya’ll are a way better team than them and I’m not saying that because I’m the Most biggest fan of The Magic and I was sceptical of Howard seeing you on the news with your superman cape dunkin balls!!! I said what on Earth is he doin I wont think your worthy of that status untill you bring a championship home to us in orlando!!!! well my man your surly making a believer out of me!!! so now I’m 100% behind you!! so go turn labron james in to laGONE james to Home!!!! LOL!!! your the man!!! got nothin but love for ya!!!!
Chicago141… I go through the same thing! I get so nervous, you’d think I was about to play in the game. You should have seen me at the end of the overtime game, I was so pumped up, I couldn’t sleep. Hopefully the Magic will get a nice size lead and make LeBron and his teammates look silly when they see the Magic celebrating!
Dwight..The only thing I think you can do better is getting more offensive rebounds. You are running away from the basket way too early when we have the ball and I think you’ve lost too many opportunities to get an offensive rebound and convert it in points. You are an awesome player I admire you a lot but if you get that fixed you’ll be even better. That’s something I like about Gortat. He might not be as strong as you are but he tends to get more offensive rebounds, he stays under the basket a little longer while we are shooting. I know you can get that you are better than that. See ya tomorrow! I’ll be praying for you. Stay blessed!! By the way, my 6-year old daughter loves you. She’s been wanting to meet you since day one she is a fan of the game!!
You my guy done watch you play your whole career! you the reason direct tv makes so much money off me! when you 20-20-3 points,reb.,and block shots u unbeatable just focus on that and you’ll be ok! i find it odd lebron jumps into you and you get called for a foul! but don’t let that get you out your game which is to dominate!
Yeah you are right the refereeing is a little sketchy in my opinion! When you don’t agree with a call just flash that beautiful smile and walk away. I know easier said than done! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!
Yall can do this. Yall have been here before I feel you guys got a little comfortable and relax but you have to fight like its yall last meal..your more than hungry…YOUR STARVING ! I beleve you can do it…You came too far to let iit goo. LETS GO GAME 6!!
Let’s close out this series Dwight. Game six is all or nothing, you don’t want a game 7 in Cleveland, where they seem to play their best at, so tomorrow is a must win for Magic. SO LET’S GET IT.
yo dwight ur the most dominant center in the league act like it destroy z and wallace and when lebron goes to the rim just side step him and go for the shot they are trying to get you in foul trouble
Please stop complaining. Also can you try not to be a punk and try and elbow people in the head like you tried to do to Wally in game 5. Thanks. Also the pressure is on you now….don’t Choke. LeBron is going to go to the Fairy Kingdom I mean Magic Kingdom and lay a Cleveland Beat Down to you and mickey
When they first replayed that I knew you didn’t do anything to foul him. You always take the high road and it’s beautiful to watch your grace and your talent.
Keep using all the bullsh*t to fuel your competitiveness and get it done, D-12!
Dwight, don’t wait for getting a break at home. If you do, the next thing you know it’d be Lebron who’s getting it and not you and your team. The only surefire way to win Game 6 is to build a big lead, that way you give Lebron & the referees no chance of setting up heroic last second plays. Keep the score tight and it will be curtains for you and your teammates. Again, CREATE A VERY HUGE LEAD TO KNOCK THE AIR OUT OF EACH ONE OF THEM. Please tell your teammates not to play predictably — if jump shots aren’t falling, 2 out of 5 should drive to the basket, one to make a shot and the other to follow-up/rebound. I know that the 3 ball is the lifeblood of the team but don’t waste time jacking up shots and missing especially when the other team is over the penalty, instead, make them pay for it by telling your teammates to drive to the hole for high percentage shots. This way you get free throws at the same time giving the Cav players a chance of fouling out of the game. This is what Lebron is giving your team every game — foul trouble. Time to turn the table on him. BTW, observe buddy system in the paint. No turnovers, no silly fouls, and pummel…pummel…pummel…
Just play SMART and you all win. Go Magic!
LET’S GET IT!! Ya’ll can definitely do this… I disagree with SO many of the calls, so I completely understand your frustration!! Ya’ll just gotta come out aggressive and stay that way for the whole game no matter how hard it gets. SATURDAY NIGHT IS ALL MAGIC!! I’ll be watchin’ and bringin’ noise all the way from the GREAT STATE!!!
Play in DESPERATION MODE, Magicmen. If you lose tomorrow’s game, your season is over. And don’t even think for a second that you can win game 7 at Quicken loans with the way you’re playing 1st quarters up there and chucking up 3s like you don’t care care if it misses. Like what Andrew said, RUN UP THE SCORE, play A+ defense, and NO TOs please.
Sorry about your loss. I didn’t see the game so I can’t comment about the fouls, but I will say this. At least you don’t have to worry about someone fishhooking you in the head and not getting a called for a flagrant. I can’t imagine the NBA wants to help people remember the Rondo Miller debalce anytime soon. Good luck Saturday!
Dwight,
Tough game Thursday night. Most of us agree that you are not getting the respect you deserve in the paint. However, I really feel that you need to get the ball more often when we have the lead. It’s frustrating to see our leads diminish because of quick/tough jump shots. You need to control the ball the way Lebron does.
One thing I noticed…be careful with the lateral movement when Lebron attacks the paint. Remember he is thinking foul first and continuation shot second. On your sixth foul you did move to your left when you jumped. I know it’s a touch foul on an agressive player but the refs want him to be “Amazing” per NBA subliminal messaging.
Good Luck! See you on ABC in the Finals!
Get it MAGIC!! I know yall are going to kill it tomorrow night!
Rootin’ for the Magic!!!!!! Finals, Here we Come!!!!!!!!!
Dwight and Magic,
Just continue to play hard for four quarters, play together as a team, attack the rim, attack the rebounds, minimise the turnovers. Trust in each other and the ability that each has bring to this game. and first of all ALWAYS put the Lord first. He wants you to succeed!
The bad call from the officials will not make any difference. None at all.
I know You CAN do it!!!! Do you believe that too?? Bring all to the court.
GO MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!
there where horrible calls… But now it’s game 6… I know you guys can do.. you’ve gotten this far when many didn’t think you could… You beat the champs from last year.. So anything is possible.. Look foward to the game tomorrow.. i will def be praying for all you guys…
GO MAGIC!!!!!!!!
LETS GO ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dwight, We Believe!!! YES WE CAN!!! All of Orlando is behind you… just make it happen Saturday night, and then you can show Kobe how you play ball on the east coast!!!
I believe in Magic this is the team I know you guys are going all the way !!
You can take the Cav’s in game 6. This Series belongs to you. D12, stay the cool prince of the game. Let’s hope that we get some fair ref’s for this game!!!!! Let’s GO MAGIC!!!and get the BIG WIN!!!!
Check out what Rasheed Wallace thinks about “king” James.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1oa4yWLQXY
C’mon “D” CLOSE this series tonight!
Dwight, dont let the league steal this from you. I have to say I dont know what kind of league plans to start the finals before both series are over and knowing how many games will be played. If you win tomorrow night, theres no basketball for nearly a week. Its like the league is planning a game 7 scenario and the LA series is over with so that leaves only your series to go 7.
I will be watching the game and I will be taping the game as will many in Orlando and I better not see a total screw job on you guys by the refs like I’ve seen so many times this post season. That will make me livid, this is a trip to the NBA FINALS on the line and it better not be decided by the damn referees.
That said, its obvious to me that no matter what happens when Lebron goes into the lane he gets every foul call imaginable, whether you actually foul him or not (and trust me most of the time there arent fouls). He makes the shot and gets the foul call and I say if you were really fouling him, he wouldnt be making any shot. I would do your best to save your fouls for the final period and if need be let Battie and Gortat roam the paint and when he goes charging (literally because thats about all he can do) to foul him hard and make him earn the points. No ticky tacky stuff. Im getting sick of watching him run into people throw up a shot and get an and 1 call every single time. Time for some of our bigs to make him pay for bringing the ball into the paint. Hardcore foul style where the ball just careens out of bounds with no chance of going into the basket.
Let him shoot jumpers all night like you did in game 1. Foul him hard when he drives into the paint so he cant make the shot, they do this to you all game by nearly and sometimes literally tackling you so it better be no big deal. If they can tackle you, we should be able to tackle him, end of story.
just face the 6th game at Amway,then move to the final.
Im not putting magic on any pressure , but this is a game you have to win.. or it’s back to the beginning again..
i’m with ya guys i and hope referees won’t make any stupid judgements on you. They key in my opinion is that turkoglu locks down LBJ ,Pietrus and Alston have to go insane beyond the ark and if one of them doesn’t , Lee will , Lewis will have to make his shots and you.. play just the way u play because u rock anyway ,haha
– Good Luck , Childsplay
bro the calls have been rediculous.. pietrus gets hooked and hes called for the foul, he gets stiff armed and nothing. just about everything the called on u have been bs.. and i dont know where they get off teching u up for nothing its rediculous… keep fighting man.. ur in prime position
come on,baby!
Hey Dwight,
I have a pointer that might help tonight. How we all know the officials are not helping us, that’s a FACT, so someone neeed to step up and be the leader of this team, that player is you. Be vocal and hard we the others before the game, and let them know that you are going to dominate and not letting the Cavs punks steal this game. We all know that LB is the best player BUT The Orlando Magic is a better team for far, we have more balance and tallented team. I’m more than sure that if you tell your players that tonight is our night, that with 48 minutes of hard work and Gods help we will be Easter Conference Champions. Lakers are waiting for us, LET’S DO IT!!!!!!
Top story on yahoo sports. Kobe vs Lebron finals. Kobe held up his end up the bargain, now its James (the other basketball god, it says in the article) turn.
Dwight, show them that its too soon to count out the Orlando Magic. Send the Cavs home tonight!
You can!
We believe it!
You absolutely HAVE to get it tonight guys, I have no fingernails left!! I really can’t handle a game 7… and how sweet it’s going to be tonight to win at home! the OM are so deserving of this championship, you have consistently worked hard as an entire team to get to this point, and this is how the game should be played. It will make me sick should the championship be won by a one-man-show. This is your year~! GO MAGIC!
I believe in Maggiiiiiccc! We will win tonight! Play aggressively, block shots, keep the ball out of Lebrons hands and maintain your cool smile and composure when you draw a foul. I have sooo much faith in this team…Keep your heads up!! Im from Detroit and Im rooting for you guys allll the way. Bring it home Orlando!! Love u Dwight!!
If James can lower his shoulder and drive into you like a running back, than you should defend him like a linebacker!!
Dwight don’t let us lose this game. James is going to take it at you early to get you in foul trouble so you have to play really smart tonight. But play your game. If Gortat has to come in, I know he will get the job done and I know you trust him, so don’t let up. I’ll be there and I’ll be LOUD. Let’s do this!!!
I hope the CAVS can bring a win on Orlando’s court. I find myself not respecting you as a player because you are like a cry baby. Everyone goes through “knick knack” files and everything, stop complaining and play basketball. GO CAVS!
You have the potential to be so good but you need to grow up and look to LeBron and Kobe as inspiration. Good luck
You guys can get it done tonite. I’m over at UCF and I can tell you that everyone on this side of Orlando is behind you 100%. We believe in MAGIC!
Hey Dwight,
I’m very much involved with the DeVos family, and I am a distributor in their Amway business…
I think the Magic are the epitome of a TEAM… you guys work together and can beat anyway with your team work. If you could pass this on to your teammates:
“Guys… Tonight is the night… Get it done.. You winning the NBA Finals would inspire millions of people across the world… We believe in you… I have been saying that I believe in Magic, and from the start I rooted for you guys. All it takes is teamwork and committment… We believe in you and love you… ”
I can tell you millions of people, especially those involved with the DeVos family (through their many businesses) are rooting for you across the globe… and lets shut up the nay-sayers, and prove to them that this series is about a TEAM not one man…
Dwight – Imagine playing on the playground and smirking and announcing 10 times per game, “He gets every call.” Do you know what everyone on the playground would say? You don’t want to know. Sixth foul…LBJ penetrates…you move to your left and twist your body to the contact… (watch it on review)…LBJ moves away from your movement and twist and there is contact. You know the basics behind the block call – NOT IN A DEFINITIVE DEFENSIVE, GUARDING POSITION. That’s it…it’s that simple. There is one basic stance where a block is called. It is your body set and still, and the offensive player displaces your rightful position. If you are sitting, twisting, your back is to the ball, you are running through the defender…and on and on…it is a foul. The question isn’t whether or not it was your foul; the question is whether or not you ever foul at all. When you foul tonight, and you know it is a foul, raise your hand and acknowledge it like the grown up superstars do. If you do that tonight, I know you will have read this post.
Orlando is on those big shoulders boy, put on for your city, bring us home Superman!!!
Привет! Жду Вашей победы! Должна победить доброта и искренность! Ты достоин этого. За тобой приятно наблюдать))спасибо, что ты есть))