We have lost six of our last eight games, have been struck with a nasty injury bug, and have a rough stretch of games to finish the month. Our team looks nothing like it did earlier this season and I'm starting to get worried. Last night we only had two of our regular starters in our starting lineup and our third stringers were forced to play a decent amount of minutes. There is no way we are going to continue winning games if we are relying on players like Pat Garrity to be productive off the bench. We are still second place in the East but if we continue to suck that's going to change really fast. Our next seven games are all against good teams. Cleveland Cavaliers - Home New Orleans Hornets - Home Golden State Warriors - Home Cleveland Cavaliers - Away Los Angeles Lakers - Home Washington Wizards - Away Miami Heat - Home There is a possibility that we lose all of those games. We are very inconsistent and have a target on our back because of our early success. So my question is, is it time to start panicking? I'm not happy with where this team is going.
Naw, it's too early in the season to start to panic. We'll struggle in the early part of that schedule, but once Hedo and Jameer come back we should start playing better.
Eh hmmm. In my article I predicted the Magic to struggle in December. Even without all the injuries, December's schedule began with a tough stretch of road games. When you get off to a quick start, teams don't underestimate you anymore, and they will protect their homecourt. Where I was way off in my piece was the strength of the East. I didn't realize the conference was this bad. The Magic have lost 6 of 8 and are still three games ahead of the Wizards in their division and four games ahead of 8th seed Miami. Philadelphi has completely fallen off after a 3-0 start. Obviously they won't factor into the playoff equation with the Iverson drama. At this point tanking is in the team's best interest. Atlanta has been a mess since JJ went done with a calf strain. They are also playing without the steady Josh Childress. With 4 straight losses they are closer to catching the Bobcats for last place than challenging for a top spot in the Division. The next 7 games to close out this month don't get an easier either. I wouldn't panic, but if other teams in the East start winning and improving and Orlando drops 5 of their next 7 games, panic has to set in.
I think they have injury woes at the moment, Jameer, Hedo, and Hill all not playing makes a difference.
