If you want my opinion, I will tell you that the Magic, who are inevitably playing the role of the ruthless underdog, will be far better than what many prognosticators have suggested. Friday’s home opener against the Denver Nuggets – a team some have predicted to finish in the top four of the Western Conference – presented an unfeigned sample of what you could see every time the Magic take the court. They were crisp, efficient, tenacious, unselfish and filled with unremitting energy and desire. Everyone was involved – from the starting five to the last man off the bench. It was just one game and we must understand that there will inevitably be some bumps in the road this season. That’s what happens during the infantile stages of a transition period. But, the Magic are a team that is capable of not only making the playoffs but being competitive once they get there. There is undoubtedly a chip on the shoulder of each player on the Magic after all the criticism and disparagement they endured after the Howard trade. They all want to prove they are far more superior to what they have been labeled as. So now, after one marvelous performance that may have already hushed the cynics, what’s your consensus? Are you ready to ignore the critics and conclude Orlando is more than capable of enjoying a fine season in this new and refreshing era? Or do you need more time and more games to make a more patent assessment? Regardless of your present outlook, you must be rather ecstatic after Friday’s invigorating win. If you happened to be at Amway Center for the game, you would have thought the Magic just won a decisive playoff game. That’s just how much optimism circulated around the arena. [poll:69965]Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by Josh Cohen are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors.
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