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(Author's note: This article was originally published at www.aarontorres-sports.com.  To read Aaron's Western Conference Finals preview, please click here)

When Charles Barkley opens his mouth, you pause, and stop what you're doing and listen. Just like when Warren Buffett talks about the economy or Bill Clinton gushes about his time in the oval office, it is must see TV.

After recently being challenged to a pushup contest by a female producer on TNT, Barkley simply replied that the only thing a woman could beat him at was "cooking and cleaning." And last fall when Barkley was charged with a DUI, his excuse for driving intoxicated was that he was on his way to get oral sex from a woman. The NBA Where Caring Happens!

Essentially there is nothing that Barkley won't say, so needless to say, I am rarely surprised at what comes out of his mouth.

But even Sir Charles can throw us a curveball from time to time, which is exactly what he did Sunday night, picking the Orlando Magic to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Cricket, cricket.

His studio mates, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber were befuddled, looking at him like he had just threatened to blow up TNT's studios. Smith asked Barkley something we were all thinking when he said, "You mean in basketball."

Even Barkley seemed taken a little aback at his own comments, looking over his notes for a second time, like a straight "A" student that had just received the first "B" of their academic career, unsure how to react.

Confused but confident, Barkley reiterated his statement, "Yeh I like the Magic."

At first I just assumed it to Barkley being Barkley, trying to be controversial and different, while also trying to drum up interest in the series, which will be played entirely on TNT.

But then I sat down and thought about it.

Thought about the fact that the Magic beat Cleveland twice in Orlando, including a 116-87 drubbing a little over a month ago.

And how they beat the Lakers twice this season.

And how because of their depth and athleticism, the Magic could give Cleveland big-time match-up problems, making the Cavaliers guards play big, and their big guys play small.

Oh my God, Charles might actually on to something here. The Orlando Magic can absolutely beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now will they? That's another story.

Cleveland comes into the series, having won all eight playoff games they've played, all by double digits, and are currently hotter than Seth Rogen's acting career. It was these statistics that left Johnson, Smith and Webber befuddled in TNT's studios Sunday night. The Cavaliers have dominated their competition in a way few teams have in NBA history, with everything they do obviously starting with league MVP LeBron James.

But outside of the King, Cleveland certainly has their flaws, all of which the Magic can take advantage of...

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