When Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson said, "I'll see you in the second round" to Derrick Rose, most assumed he was looking past his opening-round opponent, the Atlanta Hawks. Far from the truth! He was referring to
Josh Smith has retorted, because of course he did, saying:
A lot of their players are already claiming they are already going to make the second round, so that gives us a little added motivation, too. If that doesn't get you geared up, I don't know what does.
According to Smith the Magic are aware that the Hawks are better than they were last year, making the Magic perhaps privy to something that the rest of us aren't. Better against the Magic, maybe, but not really better.
It's been a long time since the Hawks have had a legitimate rivalry. Probably back to the late '80s against the Celtics, right? This Hawks-Magic thing could turn into one if Atlanta can finally take a meaningful postseason series.
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