Is The First Round Just A Formality? Jameer Nelson Thinks So

"I'll see you in the second round,"

That was reportedly what Jameer Nelson told Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose minutes after the Magic's 102-99 loss to the Bulls on Sunday. There is just one problem with that, the Magic face the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. The same Hawks that have beaten them 3-1 in the regular season series. Does that mean anything to Orlando? Apparently not. Should it?

If you watched Atlanta play in Indiana and Washington over the weekend then you probably agree with Nelson. However, for a team like the Hawks that at times lacks motivation, Nelson's comments couldn't have come at a better time. If going to the playoffs weren't motivation enough maybe the complete dismissal by the Magic will be sufficient. Who can really blame Orlando, after all it was at the hands of the Magic that Atlanta was humiliated in the second round last year. Over the weekend Orlando lost a tough nail biter to Chicago, Atlanta lost by 30 points to Washington. However, if the Hawks 3-1 record against the Magic doesn't count come playoff time then neither does this past weekend. 

See you in the first round Jameer. Go Hawks!