By Dan Savage

Right now Magic fans are a lot like an expecting father, they’re doing a lot of sitting around and waiting. They’re also doing a lot of wishing, pondering whether they would rather play the Hawks or the Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

While some may argue vehemently for one choice or another, let’s preface this debate by first pointing out that there’s no such thing as an easy playoff opponent.

The Hawks and Bucks are both formidable postseason foes. While Atlanta can overwhelm the opposition with its high number of extremely gifted players, Milwaukee plays with immense energy and effort on both ends of the court.

But let’s face it, perhaps more than any other professional sport, basketball games are won on talent. And the Hawks have a lot more of it.

They have a perennial All-Star in Joe Johnson, a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Josh Smith, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year in Jamal Crawford, a veteran point guard in Mike Bibby and a versatile big man in Al Horford.

Milwaukee, on the other hand, is currently lacking in the talent department, particularly on the interior. While the Bucks have put their tremendous heart and hustle on display this postseason and spread their marketing slogan of “Fear the Deer” like wildfire, that’s only going to get you so far in the playoffs.

With Andrew Bogut out for the season, Milwaukee is forced to go to war with Kurt Thomas and Dan Gadzuric at center. Although you’ll likely never find a bigger Thomas fan than yours truly, at this stage of his career he has no business attempting to hang with the league’s most explosive center, Dwight Howard.

Orlando’s Superman could perhaps average 30 points and 15 rebounds per game against the diminished Bucks’ frontcourt. Unlike Charlotte, Milwaukee doesn’t have enough bigs to continuously foul Howard and send him to the charity stripe.

And after a frustrating first round series for D12, the only thing better than an Eastern Conference Semifinals series win for the Magic, would be an Eastern Conference Semifinals series win, where their All-Star center goes off.

By Josh Cohen

Why is everyone suddenly looking at me like I just claimed that nearly every sequel to movies made in film history is better than the original?

Well, maybe because I would make that argument along with the fact that I think it would be “better” for the Orlando Magic to play against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals rather than the Milwaukee Bucks.

Not only do I agree that follow-ups to motion pictures like Major League, The Mighty Ducks and Rocky (keeping it sports themed) are better than the originals, I also believe the Hawks would give the Magic exactly what they need to ultimately capture the NBA championship.

There is no denying that the Hawks are a more talented and versatile team than the Bucks. Atlanta possesses two All-Stars (Joe Johnson, Al Horford) and three other legitimate NBA superstars (Josh Smith, Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford).

But, sometimes when a team knows they are more capable than their opponent, there can be a titanic letdown. Orlando needs to prove it is championship worthy before competing in the Eastern Conference Finals and then hopefully, the NBA Finals.

A series victory over the Hawks rather than the Bucks is a much bigger statement and could instill more fear into their future adversaries (ex. Cavaliers, Celtics, or Lakers).

Last season, for instance, it was the Magic who had the tougher road than the Cavs leading up to the conference finals. Orlando had to play Boston (without the home court advantage) in the conference semifinals while Cleveland overpowered Atlanta in a four-game sweep.

I do think, however, that the Bucks would be somewhat “easier” competition in a seven-game series than the Hawks. Without Andrew Bogut protecting the paint, Dwight Howard should have a monster series. Also, it just seems hard to believe that a No. 6 seed could advance all the way to the conference finals. The last time that happened was in 1995 when Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets eventually won the title.

But for the Magic, it’s not just about winning a series. It’s about proving they are the most complete team in the NBA and showing the world that they will ultimately be hoisting the trophy in June.