What They're Saying: Hawks vs. Magic 10/23

-Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel previews the Southeast Division. Hint: the Magic win it.

-Ryan Anderson and Mickael Pietrus will get the start tonight. Can't you just see that starting five settling in? My guess is these two will be there for the first 10 games. But I could be wrong.

-Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is playing the disrespect card. He wonders why the Hawks are not projected to do better after retaining all their major free agents and strengthening their bench with the acquisition of Jamal Crawford.

-Here is the Associated Press' writeup of the Hawks win in Jacksonville over the Heat. Joe Johnson had 14 points and Al Horford and Jamal Crawford each had 12.

-Zach McCann of Orlando Magic Daily talks to Marcin Gortat about his strong preseason performance so far.

-The Puns are Starting to Bore Me wonders if Dwight Howard will ever improve his free throw shooting. They cite that question asked a few years ago that wonders if we will see Howard miss 5000 free throws. Back then it was a possibility, now it still might be. I think Howard's shooting has improved greatly -- I saw him hitting turnaround fade aways in warmups Monday night. But in that same game, I saw him rush through some free throws late and miss them badly. It is all a confidence and comfort thing for him and I think he does not have that comfort in games yet.

-Reason No. 7 to be excited for the Hawks, according to Peachtree Hoops? Zaza Pachulia!

-This has nothing to do with the game tonight, but watch this video of video game Zaza Pachulia (via Peachtree Hoops).

Magic Wands: October 23, 2009

-Craig Smith tries to be Dwight Howard.

-Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times takes a look back at the development of the 3-point shot and how the Orlando Magic are at the forefront of the 3-point revolution.

-Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus named Marcin Gortat the second best prospect in the NBA, behind Philadelphia's Marreese Speights. Not sure what a prospect means, but Gortat might be pushing for minutes someway some how.

-Tell me if you have heard this one... "a coach, a referee and a Rabbi walk onto a basketball court" (from Newsday).

-And so the previews begin! Here is ESPN's panel of experts' thoughts on the Magic this year. And here is Sporting News weighing in.

-Word is the referees are on their way back. ESPN and NBA.com say so.

-A recruiting promise from UCF to Marcus Jordan, son of one Michael, is getting the Knights in some hot water with adidas.

-I am sorry, I can't not post this video of a video game Zaza Pachulia.