Lewis raised his scoring average 2.3 ppg last year and would only have to raise his scoring another 2.6 ppg to get to 25 ppg. That's one more 3 or one basket and a free throw a game. I think he'll have no problem doing that especially since he'll finally have a true low post threat to play with.

I really like Lewis and I really like Howard. I'm going to love watching the Magic as a true basketball fan. When Lewis averages 25 ppg, I will remember to post something for you. Until then have fun watching the Magic be better than you thought they would be.

Next Year's Standing

1. Chicago
2. Toronto
3. Orlando
4. Detroit
5. Cleveland
6. Miami
7. Washington
8. Atlanta or Milwaukee (depending on who has the least injuries)

(Charlotte, Indiana, & your boys NJ miss the playoffs). The East has 3 new powerhouse teams in Toronto, Chicago, & Orlando. Sorry New York even Randolph won't turn you team around.

2.3 is a hell of an increase, and he's only done that three times since he became a starter. The first two you can attribute to him improving early in his career, the second I would say mostly to Allen getting hurt and a smaller sample size. That doesn't exactly happen often. Having a post player will likely help his percentages, but I don't expect much on the scoring front. He's only gone significantly over 20 a game once, which was last year, and that was on a team that plays at a faster pace than Orlando.

I really think you underestimate New Jersey, they got the #6 seed last year with Jefferson missing a lot of time and without Kristic most of the year, AND they beat Toronto in 6 in the playoffs. Plus Sean Williams could turn out to be a major steal, assuming he isn't still smoking pot.

My bad, I forgot about the division-champs thing with the seeding. Yeah, they can win that division. It's basically between them and Washington, and the latter has no size. Still, I'll take 3 all-star caliber players to 2. Ariza is the wildcard in that one. Still, I don't really see how Orlando is a powerhouse by adding Lewis. They're an 8 seed that got swept in the first round, and even though they added Lewis they're probably going to lose 3 of their top 6 scorers from last year. They're still only going have 3 good players that are likely to be back. Either those guys better be REALLY good, or Ariza or someone else better step up. Honestly, I like Boston better, they have 3 pretty solid players and more depth (though I can see poor chemistry or Ainge/Rivers tanking that team more easily).

Tell you what, how about a sig bet? If Lewis averages 25 next year, your buddy Steve makes me a sig that says something like "I wish Tyrus/Durant/Lewis was my lover", or whatever you two decide. If he doesn't, you gotta have a sig that says something like "Hinrich is my man-crush", to be displayed throughout the course of the off-season...

Well if you wont say it, then I will: I like Oden A LOT more than Durant. He'll have much more of an impact on his team than KD.

Dooooooooo it!!!!

Wow, I didn't realize that they signed him for 6-113. That's WAY too much money, especially considering that reportedly no one else wanted to go over 5-60. His contract is going to average over $18 mil a year, and will increase to $22.7 mil in the last year of his deal. All that for a guy that really wasn't the best player on his old team OR his new team.

They better hope this core can win, because with that monster of a deal they'll basically have no cap space for 5 years, and will likely drift into luxury tax territory.