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Cohen: A New Rivalry Is Born
By Josh Cohen
July 12, 2010
ORLANDO -- It will be similar to the inscription of the movie West Side Story.
There will be two sides – comparable to the Jets and the Sharks.
There will be very impassioned, powerful and ruthless characters – just like Tony, Riff, Bernardo and Chino.
There will be drama – similar to the aftermath of the infamous “Rumble” that shook the streets of Manhattan.
It will be unprecedented competition – filled with similar detestation, resentment and action.
It’s the new-founded Sunshine State rivalry – and it encompasses the revitalized Miami Heat and the reigning powers of the Southeast, the Orlando Magic.
Never in the 20-plus years of professional basketball in Florida have the Magic and Heat engaged in such an enmity.
But finally, fans from sun-drenched South Beach to the picturesque coasts, East and West, all the way to the home of Mickey Mouse and Shamu can enjoy and celebrate the best hoops competition imaginable.
There will be plenty of kids in schools throughout the state that will be reprimanded for excessive Magic vs. Heat debates in classes.
Companies must make sure they fill their water coolers to the top in all break rooms prior to the start of the work day as it will be the meeting spot for all Magic vs. Heat arguments.
Relationships will be damaged as Magic fan Joe and Heat fan Brenda (I love making names up) are not going to get along.
Thanksgiving dinners will be a disorderly calamity. Instead of battling for the last portion of stuffing or mashed potatoes, family members will quarrel about who they think will win the division.
It will be an exhausting time for stock boys and girls at all sports retail stores, especially around the holiday season. Basketball jerseys throughout the state will sell out rapidly. As a result, employees at merchandise shops will have to disappoint many customers and inform them that all Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh jerseys are out of stock.
Chants of “Beat the Heat” at Amway Center will be more deafening than the earsplitting sounds of the vuvuzela at the World Cup in South Africa.
Although we still don’t know what each team will exactly look like when the 2010-11 season begins in the Fall, we do know that the Magic and Heat will be two of the best teams in the NBA.
NBA analysts and critics are already predicting that the Lakers, Celtics, Magic and Heat will be the top four teams in the league.
This will be the first time since the Magic entered the NBA in 1989 – one year after the Heat arrived – that the two Florida franchises will be championship contenders at the same time. Orlando and Miami met in the playoffs just once – but it was just a First Round matchup in 1997.
This could also be the first long-term rivalry for the Magic. Orlando squabbled with the Chicago Bulls in the mid-90’s, but that really only lasted for two NBA seasons. It’s had a brief enmity with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but that contention is officially over since LeBron is no longer involved.
Central Florida should be ecstatic. This is an opportunity to participate in something that very few cities will ever experience.
Although the offseason is far from over, I am already anxious and excited about all Magic vs. Heat games next season. And hopefully, we will see these two powerhouses compete in the Eastern Conference Finals next May. I thoroughly expect it to happen.
By Josh Cohen
July 12, 2010
ORLANDO -- It will be similar to the inscription of the movie West Side Story.
There will be two sides – comparable to the Jets and the Sharks.
There will be very impassioned, powerful and ruthless characters – just like Tony, Riff, Bernardo and Chino.
There will be drama – similar to the aftermath of the infamous “Rumble” that shook the streets of Manhattan.
It will be unprecedented competition – filled with similar detestation, resentment and action.
It’s the new-founded Sunshine State rivalry – and it encompasses the revitalized Miami Heat and the reigning powers of the Southeast, the Orlando Magic.
Never in the 20-plus years of professional basketball in Florida have the Magic and Heat engaged in such an enmity.
But finally, fans from sun-drenched South Beach to the picturesque coasts, East and West, all the way to the home of Mickey Mouse and Shamu can enjoy and celebrate the best hoops competition imaginable.
There will be plenty of kids in schools throughout the state that will be reprimanded for excessive Magic vs. Heat debates in classes.
Companies must make sure they fill their water coolers to the top in all break rooms prior to the start of the work day as it will be the meeting spot for all Magic vs. Heat arguments.
Relationships will be damaged as Magic fan Joe and Heat fan Brenda (I love making names up) are not going to get along.
Thanksgiving dinners will be a disorderly calamity. Instead of battling for the last portion of stuffing or mashed potatoes, family members will quarrel about who they think will win the division.
It will be an exhausting time for stock boys and girls at all sports retail stores, especially around the holiday season. Basketball jerseys throughout the state will sell out rapidly. As a result, employees at merchandise shops will have to disappoint many customers and inform them that all Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh jerseys are out of stock.
Chants of “Beat the Heat” at Amway Center will be more deafening than the earsplitting sounds of the vuvuzela at the World Cup in South Africa.
Although we still don’t know what each team will exactly look like when the 2010-11 season begins in the Fall, we do know that the Magic and Heat will be two of the best teams in the NBA.
NBA analysts and critics are already predicting that the Lakers, Celtics, Magic and Heat will be the top four teams in the league.
This will be the first time since the Magic entered the NBA in 1989 – one year after the Heat arrived – that the two Florida franchises will be championship contenders at the same time. Orlando and Miami met in the playoffs just once – but it was just a First Round matchup in 1997.
This could also be the first long-term rivalry for the Magic. Orlando squabbled with the Chicago Bulls in the mid-90’s, but that really only lasted for two NBA seasons. It’s had a brief enmity with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but that contention is officially over since LeBron is no longer involved.
Central Florida should be ecstatic. This is an opportunity to participate in something that very few cities will ever experience.
Although the offseason is far from over, I am already anxious and excited about all Magic vs. Heat games next season. And hopefully, we will see these two powerhouses compete in the Eastern Conference Finals next May. I thoroughly expect it to happen.
