Tough, tough loss last night cause we really thought we let the Lakers off the hook and should have won that game. It was there for us so many times, but we couldn’t grab it because we didn’t execute and turned the ball over too many times.
I was frustrated and in the first game too, but being the leader on my team I can’t let my teammates see me frustrated. I’ve got to play through all the different situations and learn from them.
We’ve just got to take care of the ball better. There are a lot of times, I know myself, this is probably one of the games where I had a lot of turnovers, maybe my most in the playoffs. I’ve just got to do a better job of finding my teammates and being aware of the guards coming in the paint for strips.
As a team we’ve just got to do better with not turning the ball over. That’s how they got going on the offensive end, because of our turnovers, and it gave them the game tonight.
My boy C-Lee had a layup right at the rim, but just missed it. That was a tough blow for us, but it shouldn’t have ever come down to that. We don’t turn the ball over as much as we did and we don’t even need the lob play there in that situation.
Their defensive plan against me in the post has been really good. Phil Jackson is a smart, smart coach. I’m not saying the coach from Cleveland isn’t, but the way they’re using their bigs on the defensive end has been a little tricky for me. But it’s something that I’m learning from. Their bigs are doing a great job of forcing me to other the bigs. It seems like I beat one guy and there’s another one waiting on me or the guards are always there digging down and trying to strip the ball.
I just have to trust my teammates and allow those guys to hit shots, and that will open everything up for me. But I’ve also just got to do some more work on the offensive end, running, going to the glass and trying to get points that way.
We’ve just got to go home now and take care of business. The Lakers did a good job of protecting their home, and now it’s our turn to do the same thing. We’ve been in some tough situations and we’ve always been good about coming back. We’ve just got to fight our way out and I know that’s what we’ll do again this time.
This is going to be a long series and we’re a long way from done. Game 3 is all we’re thinking about, so let’s go get one win and really protect our homecourt the way the Lakers did. We still know we can do this. We tweak a few things here and there, we’ll be right back in this series before ya’ll know it.
PEACE OUT, HOMIES. — DWIGHT
Fans: Be sure to check out Dwight on Twitter and Facebook.
Tags: 2009 NBA Finals, 2009 NBA Playoffs, Courtney Lee, Dwight Howard Blog, Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Video
DUNK DUNK DUNK DUNK DUNK! That’s what you need to do…go back to your roots cause SUPERMAN needs to fly.
http://www.twitter.com/digwitty ———–> let me be the person 150!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!
i like the postivity here
Game 2 was painful but not the end of the world and definitely not the end of you guys
Game 3 is coming and i know yall are gonna play hard
Ball out till yall fall out
…well maybe not fall out
but playing hard is what i mean and is key
its the little things that hurt the most…
but small mistakes aside the energy& effort magic brought to game 2 made magic fans proud
we rather u lost that way ( we rather u not lose but if u have to u get my point) not counting out cuz u guys can do this
LETS GO MAGIC!!!
Dwight, I still believe in you. I still believe in the team. Tell Courtney Lee it will be okay. Most people do not give you or the team credit you deserve. You all played a good game last night. I think we all seen the frustation on your face last night. Just know you have a lot of people cheering you on. I believe we can come back and win this thing. Lets shut these Laker fans up and show them why Magics are the best in the league. Keep your heads up!! Have faith in yourself cause we have faith in you.
Say bro, that was yall game to win last night. Lakers is my team in this series but i was still pulling for u to win. Take advantage of Pau on the inside, he cant hold u. I know yall a jump shooting team but going to the whole draws in them fouls. Keep being agressive and it’ll come. You are the next Big Man- believe that shit. Tell Pat me and Spike said waddap. All the best -Q.
Dont worry you still got time I have faith in you Superman.
I’ve been waiting for this time since Nick missed those free throws in 95 96 series , I’m so proud to b a Magic fan specially since this city and team have never gotten the respect deserved till now thanks to you guys !! The playoff predictions simulator that ESPN did had you guys win in 7 games , by the way it had the Magic loose the first too… Hopefully the simulator was off by one game and you guys win in 6. If there is something that has really impressed me this year is the ability that you guys have of coming from behind , its INCREDIBLE mental toughness !!!! So obviously being down 2-0 it might be hard BUT NOT FOR THE MAGIC !!!! Ask Boston and Cleveland , the can tell you more about that…
Game 2 was great. I believed you when you said that you guys were gonna come back stronger in game 2, and you didn’t let me down. You guys had great defense and Rashard Lewis helped the team with 31 points, he’s a great 3-point shooter. I was happy when I saw your first dunk in the series, too bad it couldn’t have been the winning dunk
. But it was great. You guys gotta show the Lakers what yall are working with, even if you have to go to game 7. LET’S GO MAGICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
D-12 YOU ARE SO ON POINT! I WOULD ONLY ADD YOU TO TALK MORE AND COMMUNICATE MORE WITH YOUR TEAMMATES THEY LOOK TO YOU YOU CAN’T GO QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT THAT IS NOT YOU….YOU ARE VERY EMOTIONAL AND THAT FEED TO THE OTHER GUYS EMOTIONS AND INVOLVEMENT….SO THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO BE SMART ABOUT IT AND MAKE SURE THE REFS KNOW YOU ARE TALKING TO YOUR PEOPLE AND NOT THE LAKERS OR THEM BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE DUCT TAPE OFF IT IS NOT WORKING AND DO YOUR IMPRESSION OF STAN “WHEN IS THIS GOING TO CHANGE” I SAY TUESDAY NIGHT….I AM FEEDING YOU BECAUSE I FEEL YOU ARE TAKING AWAY FROM YOUR CHARACTED BY NOT BEING EXCITED AND EMOTIONAL…LIKE I SAID BEFORE STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF AFTER LAST NIGHT YOU GUYS ARE COMPETITORS AND I SAY CHAMPIONS….SO EVER STOP WITH THE BOWS AND TALK JUST CONTROL IT BUT KEEP IT COMING AND THERE IS NO WAY THEY CAN BEAT YOU GUYS STAY TOGETHER AND DON’T GET INTO THIS GAURD HIPE YOU ARE A TEAM FIRST AND INDIVIDUAL SECOND…CHEER AND ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER…YOU ARE THE BEST AT THAT AND THAT IS WHY YOU GUYS ARE HERE….STAN DID A HELL OF COACHING JOB LAST NIGHT…ONLY ONE MISTAKE IN MY BOOK BUT A VERY GOOD GAME….LET’S GO DO THIS….NO MORE REGRETS….IT IS OUR TIME TO SHINE! GOD BLESS…KEEP THE FAITH BE THANKFUL, BE FAITHFUL AND TRUST GOD FOR IT ALL….
Just show the heart and intensity you and your team had shown when you guys defeated the defending champs and cleveland…i know you guys can do this…this is the opportune moment… i know you guys can make this happen… go play your game man… we are all in this together… pump it up! defend the home….
peace
Despite last nights disappointing loss I still believe that the MAGIC will be the 08-09 CHAMPIONS! U guys didn’t repeat the mistakes that U made in game 1… kudos for that. Last nights loss was tough, but I believe in U & this team. When U guys played hard defense in the 4th, ya’ll had the Lakers playing scared…keep that coming! Be NOT discouraged; encourage Ur teammates & don’t let the fact that U guys loss the 1st 2 games be a factor. I know that winning the next 4 out of 5 will be a challenge, but it’s a fact that ALL things are possible with God!
As I have said, this is Ur season…don’t allow any doubt to creep into Ur mind whatsoever. I believe 100% that God will give U guys the keys to victory! Romans 8:28 All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose 08-09 CHAMPS!!! GO MAGIC!!!
Praying & Believing
God Bless,
Love ♥
Whats Good
Was Really Routing for yall to pull through Last Night. So Close on every end. Let me say that I dont watch b-ball much I can’t even tell u what a pick and roll is. But I think You and Your Team are Awsome aside from my Hawks of Course . Not a reall big Lakers or Kobe Fan. I think they are so overated these days cause its all about one man and not the team. Kobe Got skills and all but his name is the Lakers. So in the Next Games Just Remember TeamWork Makes the DreamWork. Peace and Much Love From the ATL
Man that game broke my heart but I still have faith in y’all. D-How u gotta death grip that ball cuz fisher n ariza was all over u. Like u said it was obvious u were frustrated but u can’t let that throw u off, u gotta follow thru w/ the play n run back down court 2 send their shots into the stands. They talk about Kobe but I could c it in y’all eyes y’all want it just as bad. ‘Shard was on FIRE last night n ‘Meer looks like he’s getting back into the swing of things. Like u said dude this series is far from being over. Take it back 2 ‘lando n shut em down.
Whats Good
Was Really Routing for yall to pull through Last Night. So Close on every end. Let me say that I dont watch b-ball much I can’t even tell u what a pick and roll is. But I think You and Your Team are Awsome aside from my Hawks of Course . Not a reall big Lakers or Kobe Fan. I think they are so overated these days cause its all about one man and not the team. Kobe Got skills and all but his name is not the Lakers. So in the Next Games Just Remember TeamWork Makes the DreamWork. Peace and Much Love From the ATL
Dwight you cannot get frustrated hun I notice that last night and don’t let fisher and kobe go in for the lay up be aggressive but dont be too aggressive because we need you!
Keep your head up guy. U can pull the next one out. School em’ Dwight!!!
God bless.
Come on home and get the job done….Nice to see you know what needs doing, you guys have our support and love always!!
FLY, Superman!
So proud of of you guys last night!!! You played a great game and i could have gone either way. Yes, there were disappointing mooments but that doesn’t take away from the unbelievable skill you guys have. You said you would bring it and yoou did. Be proud and let’s BRING IT in Orlando. LET’S GO ORLANDO!!!!!
Dwight great effort last night, We should
of won that game anyways, There were alot of fouls they should of called, your were getting hacked!..But lets get these next 4 in a row, lets do it!
lets go magic!
IT AINT OVA IT AINT OVA!!!! – Kirk Franklin: Stomp
Hey Man,
No on has given up on ya!!! You guy’s study the game films it speaks volumes. I’t’s just not my Magic team that showed up bro. Ya’ll will take them at home. Make sure you pray for mercy for LA, cause their fixin to get one big southern A– whoopin.
You can’t change a single play from games 1&2. mOVE UP AND ONWARD
pEACE
Just Go Hard the way you and Magic are used to playing. Don’t let this get you down. You guys played a really good game last night. Yes; WAY TOO MANY TURN OVERS. But your FANS know that you guys can and will recover. Keep your heads up! HOW HUNGRY ARE YOU GUYS FOR THE “PRIZE”. COME ON D…. YOUR FANS ARE ROOTING FOR YOU AND THE MAGIC……. WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!! AND THAT’S WHAT’S UP
~Andrena
I have 2say it was very frustrating watching the game last night specially knowing we should have won that game but then again it should have not gone 2the last second in order 2decide the game,we had our chances in the line & we missed 5straight at one point + the fact that we had 20+turnovers doesn’t help either it would have been better going back home 1-1 but is not the case,we have the next 3games at home & as good as the Lakers are theirs a good posibility we could win the next 3games at home if so we can be in a good situation & if im the Magic being down 0-2 we need 2bring our A game in order 2have a chance,So lets play D cut down on the turnovers & drive 2the rim & create contact easy lay-ups-Is obvious that Gasol is playing better than Howard at this point & that shouldn’t be if we’re gonna win this lets get that CaveMan in foul trouble eliminate that threat somehow,soo im hoping 2see a win in game 3 we can do this lets go out & leave it all on the line…..GOmagic & D-12
Orlando needs the Magic. Please winnnnn!!!!!!!!
SUPERMAN!! whats up bro?! look all season long they’ve been tellin us that the MAGIC have to much fun, laugh, and joke around and thats why we cant go all the way!! Well now look we made it here with all those smiles and fun out there on that court!! Dude I’ve watched every game and these last 2 games you guys dont look like your havin fun. You guys need to go out there and have fun!!! smile, laugh, and joke around and play ball like its a streetball game!! lets go out there and win a TITLE!!! GO MAGIC!!
Take the ball to the paint……make the easy shots…..3 pointers are killin us……. We all want to see the Magic win this series…. Triple teaming the superman…..we need help….quit the turnovers and destroy the lakers…… if we didn’t have so many turnovers we would’ve had the game……… Lee had a tough shot, missed by luck…
Take home and win win win
Ok Dwight… the “LOL” is over…stop scaring us! We expect greatness…Let’s finish ‘em in game 5…it’s our house!!!
My heart is broken but I still beleive in Magic. Dwight, you are a great player and you don’t need to prove this to anybody, just play, be yourself, nobody can do this better than you. Magics in six games.
Great effort last night we just came up a little short. After watching the first two games I believe we are the better team. Let’s take this one game one win at a time. We need to run with the ball more and get more points in transition. We will win the next 4 games! Go magic. Keep the faith Dwight, Orlando is still behind you!
Dwight, can you let Hedo stay at your place tonight so he can get some good rest? I heard him say his newborn has kept him from getting sleep, and I think he NEEDS his rest tonight and the rest of this week.
Well even though it wasn’t a W last night I think you can grab all 3 games at home and then come back to LA and take this. We still believe in you guys. GO MAGIC! God bless yall.
You played really hard last night Dwight and i am proud of that and it made me feel like i picked the right choice of being a magic fan.
Good Luck on next game, Dwight.. I’ll be watchin for sure
GO MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck next game its not over and you guys aren’t done I still have faith people want to count us out not me this is our house and we can and must potect this house gooo magic
Hey, Superman!
I was really proud of you guys last night. I usually am so upset about a loss that i can’t sleep but you guys showed a lot of spirit and fight. So I was OK with that. The game could have been ours. But it ain’t over till it’s over. We’ve broken records, proved the critics wrong, made believers out of fools so chin up. Keep on fighting, fans respect that. You’re right in what you say about your frustration bcz it’s showing. Don’t let it get to your head. Remember the Olympics, you have to take on different roles. You may not be able to score a lot of points so play smart and know that we still believe.
MAGIC ALL THE WAY!!!
You guys played a world of difference better last night. For heavens sake can one of our guards make some shots??? 6 of 26 from the field isnt going to get it done on any night. Take this as motivation or consolation or whatever but LA was supposed to win last nights game. We havent even played a home game here yet. I hope coming home is what some of our players need to put the ball into the basket. Because right now it seems like Hedo, Rashard, and you are the only ones doing the damage on the offensive end. We need some balance. I was really really hoping that before this series ends Jameer will find his shot and kill LA like he did in the regular season.
We extend this series out and we have a chance. I know you guys will fight. Go out there and get game 3. Rally the troops Dwight, You’re the leader. Get them focused on the task at hand. Win game 3 at home and you’re right back in this thing. Its do or die time and I know you guys respond to that. So make it happen one more time here. Game 3 on Tuesday.
FOCUS, DOMINATE, PUMMEL PUMMEL PUMMEL AND THEN WIN!!!!!
Dwight I believe man I know you can do it im not gonna stop believing lets go to Orlando and handle business there.THREE GAMES Dwight not 1 or 2 we need three.And you guys are pretty good road teams we can close them out in LA that sounds like a plan my man !!
P.S.I do not want to see LA with the Championship and I know you dont either so lets do this Dwight Lets do it !!
We’re still with you Dwight, Magic fans still believe our boys can pull off the greatest upset the NBA will ever see. I think everyone on this site will agree you are starting to let your frustration show. Even in the video above you look and sound frustrated. Get that in check baby it isn’t over 5 games left. Take a breath, relax, recoup, and smash the Lakers in game 3.
Dwight, You are playing phenomenal!! DO NOT GIVE UP! We are all supporting you guys and you must KEEP UP THE FIGHT! You guys are absolutely fantastic and can win this thing! DO NOT FORGET THAT! All of you play with SO, SO much heart. It’s heart breaking to see you lose. SO, home court. Break out that WILL to win. We are all cheering you on! Let’s go GET IT!!!! You are so, close!!! It’s in your heart! GO GET IT BABY!!!!!
I STILL BELIEVE IN MAGIC.
GO MAGIC! You can do it! We could all tell how hard you guys were playing in game 2. I thought you guys would beat em in overtime but its all good! Good luck with game 3! WE CAN DO IT!
Dwight! Keep your head up and trust your instincts. Don’t listen to what the media is saying. Your fans still believe in you. It’s not over and ANYTHING is possible. You guys are the Orlando Magic for a reason. I’m rooting for you in Chicago!
I’ve been an Orlando Magic fan since I was 9. This is the greatest feeling I have ever had in those 15 years. I just turned 24 recently and I still believe in Magic!! Not once in Game 2 did I worry about what the Lakers had to offer. Everything any team in the NBA has, we have equal or better. Honestly, I don’t see any team in the NBA who can beat us in a seven game series. I’m so ready and so focused for Game 3. Dwight, you made perfect passes in the game. However you can’t make the shots for people who miss them. Rafer missed some big shots that could have added to the score. But as a team, we have to get better. Let C-Lee know that everything is okay. You make some and you miss some. Regardless he still has the Magic on his chest to represent. Also let him know that Game 3 could very well be his make up game. I’m so proud of all you guys and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world!! I love you guys!! Thanks for everything!!
God bless
Bobby L. Rascoe
bobbyrascoe@gmail.com
Look me up on Facebook under my name! I’m your friend there as well!!
You guys gonna have ball it all out for the next 3 games. If you guys can win 3 in a row, I believe there is still a chance to change history and become only the 2nd team in history to come back from 0-2. GO MAGIC!!
Don’t worry, you did great last nite, Ya’ll should have won it the past is the past, just focus on the game tomorrow, we got this in the bag!
I want to see Superman tomorrow night. I know he’s in there – let him out to play BALL!!! Dwight, they’re basically carving the rings for you know who right now – the Magic have been all but written off to the history books. PROVE THEM WRONG!!!!! LET’S DO IT!!! GO MAGIC!
Tough lost, but you’ve got to move on and get a “W” at home. I truly believe that you guys can make it a series, it all starts with a win at home in the next game. Go out there and show us what you guys are made of and “Smash” the Lakers in Game 3.
Peace
Your Cuz in Japan
Hey Dwight – one more thing (if you read this stuff) here’s an article by Charley Rose – I don’t know, may be helpful to you – I know I would take someone’s constructive thoughts about my game if I were in your shoes:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/9659132/Lessons-to-take-away-from-Game-2
I’ve got some dirt on Kobe too – I read alot of blogs & come up with the best stuff!!! The Kobe dirt is personal, so I’ll pull that out later if needed….LOL
Good night!! See ya tomorrow!!
Some commentator named Jaime Irvine had some suggestions for you here:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/195181-5-suggestions-for-the-orlando-magic.
Take what you see with a grain of salt of course, but it can’t hurt to look at the suggestions.
I liked what I saw on the comments page earlier. The padded elbows are good, the tape on the mouth a little less so. If you can get your teammates fired up, then that’s one more thing you’ll have going for you guys. In a similar vein, if can get some dunks off, it’ll encourage boost team morale and encourage the Lakers to double you, whereupon you throw the ball out to the open man.
Keep the ball high; use your height to prevent the Lakers guards from stripping the ball. Don’t try to force things; if you can’t get a shot off through the double team, kick it out to your open teammate.
You guys can do this. You have the talent, the skill, and you have the on-court options to win this.
Dwight,
I love the way you make as a part of your experience. We are sooo behind you, can’t wait till tomorriow when OUR boys take over. What a season you have had. I love being the “underdog”, the Lakers are so tinsel town. Keep believing in yourself and us, your fans, we will never give up on you.
I think anthony johnson should be allowed to play instead of jameer nelson, not sayin jameer aint good, but he only just got bak from a huge injury, cant expect him to do well in the finals. Anthony johnson and rafer alston were the guys that magic had to beat celtics and cavs, so i believe if magic keeps that line up, they can beat lakers easy.
Best of luck for 2morrow
Jacky
keep ur head up “big d”! it may be 2-0 in favor of the refs, (what do you gotta do to get a call?!?) but you guys are still right in it. never give up, never stop fighting, tell hedu, and shard to attack more, an whatever you do, don’t ever BREATHE on kobe, cause you know thats a foul. magic in 7!