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By Live or Die Magic, Friday, June 12, 2009, 3:15 PM
Reflections On Pain
I had this really great write-up ready to post today. I was writing it last night as I was sitting in the media area before, and even during the game. It was this really positive piece about the O-Rena and how great it looked and how much excitement there was surrounding it. I thought the piece would be good counterprogramming to a write-up recaping the game or providing stats, etc. But as the game ended, I immediately realized that I could no longer go with that piece.
It didn’t include enough pain.
Pain, a deep numb pain, is what I felt at the end of Game 4 and is what I still feel now, many hours later. I feel the need to write about this pain for this reason: every other Magic fan is feeling this pain too. We may handle the pain differently – some of us deny it, some of us sit and wallow in it, letting it affect all aspects of their lives, some of us turn it into motivation for doing something constructive. Then there are those like me. I want to feel this pain and acknowledge it, because this pain can be just as important as the incredible joy that we have already felt so many times this season. It might even be comparable in magnitude to the joy of winning a fourth game in a Finals series. The pain means that I care, it means that I have placed value on this experience. It also means that I will feel something truly special when, hopefully one day, I get to be on the other end.
After the game, I sat in the press conference room for every interview – Phil Jackson, Stan Van Gundy, Hedo Turkoglu, Trevor Ariza, Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard. I didn’t speak; I barely moved. I realized that with the exception of the Magic players, and staffers, no one in the room was as crushed by the loss as I was. Media members have the need to keep themselves at arms length from these events, at least emotionally, so that they can tell their objective stories. Seem strange doesn’t it? I don’t have that problem. Being a Magic fan first and foremost, I simply need to provide my admittedly biased perspective as a Magic fan. I say “simply,” but it is times like these when it is as hard as anything I can think of doing.
On the drive home from the O-Rena, I turned the radio off and just sat in silence and reflected. Getting away from the scene didn’t help with the pain much. Perhaps if I actually owned any “emo” music, I might have listened to it, maybe.
When I walked into work at 7:30 AM this morning – bleary-eyed, shuffling in – I passed multiple co-workers, all of whom realize I’m the biggest Magic fan in the building, and they all gave me that head tilted to the side “are you going to be OK” kind of look. You’d have thought I’d lost a family member the way they were acting. But it speaks to how much this incredible Finals run has swept up the people in this city. The average person who may not have paid much attention to the team before April suddenly caught up and enjoying this experience as much as a 15 year season ticket holder. Here’s another great example. I was supposed to have a dentist appointment at 7 AM this morning. Realizing how late I’d be at the O-Rena and how difficult it would be to make that appointment, I called yesterday to reschedule. When I quickly explained what I did with the Magic and why I needed to reschedule, the dentist receptionist pulled the phone away from her ear and yelled to her co-workers “Hey, this guy writes for the Magic and says we can all come to the arena!” Cheers ensued. I mean, hell yeah! It’s that kind of excitement!
But it is that heightened excitement that carries you up that steep precipice but doesn’t prepare you for the long fall. That long fall that ends in pain. I’m going to take my pain home with me this weekend and see how long it lasts. Considering how much sleep I need, it probably won’t last long. Talk about small blessings... at least in a dead sleep, you don’t feel pain. Speaking of sleep...if the NBA is a spectator sport, why the hell do I feel so exhausted? Is anyone else dealing with this? It has been mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting, and that’s after a win! A good Magic buddy of mine, let’s call him “John,” said to me:
“I really do stress all these games more than I should... and it's been well over a month now of insanely stressful evenings. All day yesterday I was wishing there wasn't a game. And before the game started I didn't really want to watch it. It's like 3 hours of high blood pressure.”
He nailed it. I was literally shaking during the 4th period and overtime. I’m sure my blood pressure was up. As fans, we hang so much emotion on the outcome of the games – imagining the feeling of victory – “if we can just make this one free throw” – that it becomes almost a daunting task to sit comfortably through a game. I suppose this might be why spectator sports and alcohol/beer sales go hand in hand!
But as tough and as grueling as this all might be at times. I am quite sure that not one of us would trade it for the alternative. After all, we all know what the alternative is because it has been the reality of Magic Land for far too long. There have been two schools of thought for how to view where the Magic find themselves in 2009: there is the Dan Marino “take advantage of the moment, you might not ever get back” school of thought; and there is the “hey, our window opened a season or two early and we have plenty of time” school of thought. Both of them have their merits, and frankly, I don’t see how any fan who experiences any emotional anguish when watching his or her favorite sports team can fail to utilize both options. See, we have enjoyed a pretty special run this season, and while it would be great to capitalize on it by getting a title “early,” I also see a team and a coach that are primed to do even more damage next season. Questions need to be addressed during the offseason, but there is no reason to think that the players who remain cannot be an even great team next season. The point is, hope springs eternal, especially with sports, or else there wouldn’t be any Cubs fans.
So, yeah, we’ve been rooting for these guys for 8 months now, but we have at least one more game to go. I plan on enjoying a relaxing two days off, and much like the Magic players, I am going to leave everything in the O-Rena on Sunday night. At the end of Game 5, my heart will be spent. The question is whether or not a defibrillator will be needed.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, Thursday, June 11, 2009, 10:45 AM
Let's Get Greedy!
The mood after the Magic’s victory in Game 3 was one of excitement and relief. Excitement that we had closed out a great game with a record-breaking display of shooting. Relief that at long last we had won a game in the Finals, we had protected our home court, and that, if nothing else, we were not going to get swept this time.
As I watched the confetti falling all over everyone in attendance, including the court where there were still two Rashard Lewis free throws to be made, the feeling I had was a bit more simple: hope. Hope that this season still has a few more games to go, and that within those games, the Magic faithful will be able to enjoy something special.
Magic fans know that we root for a tremendous, resilient team. Even if we all might agree that we did not expect a trip to the Finals this season, we knew that we were a team on the rise, and a team that would get to this point soon. But in the first two games, we collectively wondered if we were ready, if we were overmatched. I said that if the Magic team from Game 2 showed up in Orlando, we had a shot.
Sure enough, they did. Now, I’m beginning to think that this team has what it takes to extend the Lakers, get this back to LA, and maybe make this into one of the better Finals matchups in the last few years. Game One may have been a dud, but Games 2 and 3 have been extremely exciting, regardless of your rooting interest.
The Magic detractors were out in force after Game 3. Instead of marveling at our brilliant display of shooting, they wondered how we could only beat the Lakers by 4. One local Magic blogger even had the audacity to suggest that the Magic didn’t do anything special because the Lakers still had a chance to win the game in the end. I’m just curious how many of these people made the same comments after Game 2, when the Magic were a missed layup away from stealing home court advantage. Seems to me that the rhetoric labeled it a brilliant Laker victory as opposed to a close Magic loss. Whatever...I sure saw plenty of national media members eating cake in the media dining tent at the O-Rena.
But let’s get back to why I titled this piece, “Let’s Get Greedy.” Immediately after Game 3, comments on the official Orlando Magic Message Boards had a similar bent. Most of them were along the lines of “no sweep,” and “with a victory in the Finals, this is the greatest Magic team ever,” and my personal favorite, “Dwight is now the greatest Magic center ever, because Shaq couldn’t win a game in the Finals.” I agree with all of these sentiments, while also finding them humorous. After all, it is our right as fans to revel in the joy of victory (God knows that Magic Land likes to wallow in the agony of defeat!).
But then I got to thinking that as nice as one victory is, two would be even better. I said as much on the message boards. Quickly, several fellow board members responded with “No, I want four victories!” Exactly.
As I said earlier, we know this team is capable of winning this thing. If the players' reaction in the locker room is any indication, they know it too. Obviously they were happy to get the win, but it felt more like they viewed the victory as just part of the progression of getting back to their style of basketball after a horrible first game. They know they are facing a team that can defend them more effectively than any team they’ve faced yet, but they are slowing chipping away at that advantage.
It is quite possible that the Game 2 performance, followed by the Game 3 victory, is momentum in action. The Magic simply need to continue to perform better each game. Just because we need to go back to LA doesn’t mean that momentum has to be stifled. If the Magic players find that the taste of success in the Finals suits them, then greediness for that success will be a formality.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 3:30 PM
Nothing 'Final' Yet
The three days in between Finals Games 1 and 2 felt like forever. It didn’t even help that two of them were weekend days. I wanted to quickly forget the awful feeling I had after Game 1 and I knew that the only thing that would help would be a solid performance by the Magic in Game 2.
Countless times throughout that three day waiting period, I was asked by family members, friends, and co-workers what I thought about the Magic’s chances after the big loss in Game 1. My response was the same each time: I’d rather wait and judge their chances after I see how they respond in Game 2. I even went so far as to say that a loss in Game 2 wouldn’t be a death blow, provided it was a close loss in the final minutes. Well, this turned out to be the case, though I wasn’t expecting another heartbreaker of a play at the end of regulation.
Perhaps I should have expected it though, because this Magic team has shown us all season, and certainly in the playoffs, that they play an exciting brand of basketball that utilizes wild momentum swings, sudden disappearance (and reappearance) of players’ shots, and most importantly, the ability to shake off tough breaks and come back stronger for it.
It is this last trait that the Magic team, and those of us who live or die by their actions, must grab onto with all our hearts and minds and whatever else we can throw at it. If it means sacrificing an O-Rena Chicken Tender Basket, then so be it. We are in a hole, and things aren’t as rosy as they were a few days ago, but we have three straight games at home, and the Lakers have to beat us two more times. I feel very strongly that if we play with as much fight at home the way we did in Game 2, that we can beat the Lakers two out of three here. And then, well, hey we go back to LA with a puncher’s chance, right?
In discussing Game 2 with people, reading the boards, and especially reading the national media, I’d say that Courtney Lee is taking way way too much heat for his missed layup at the end of regulation. It is actually quite upsetting that anyone would give him flack for that. Coach Stan Van Gundy deserves praise for a well designed play for the one player on the court that could make the shot and would be open to do so. Hedo Turkoglu made a tremendous inbounds pass – something he is becoming known for. If Lee had had more than .6 seconds, and if he hadn’t had to fight through a Kobe Bryant screen, he could have caught the ball closer to the rim instead of underneath the rim.
This difference would have made it a gimme shot. Don’t even bring up Pau Gasol’s defensive interference...even if it did affect the shot, we had one coming, considering Howard’s blatant through-the-rim block on Gasol earlier in the game. If Lee makes that shot, it goes down as one of the biggest, probably the biggest in Magic history. We’d all be marveling at how difficult it was. Just because he missed it, doesn’t mean the same logic no longer applies.
We had a great shot to win Game Two, both in regulation and in overtime, but it just didn’t work out. However, our effort was there. We showed that we can play with the Lakers and stay in a game with them on their court. The breaks went their way, not ours. Even so, it was great to see some dominating performances on our end. Our three biggest scorers all shot the ball well and took over the game. Turkoglu, Lewis, and Howard made 25 shots combined in Game 2. The rest of the team made 8 combined. The problem wasn’t the 8 shots, it was the fact that it took them 31 attempts to make those eight. Even though most of the team was cold, that shouldn’t carry over to the friendly, familiar rims in the Amway Arena.
So, now we just have to keep our stars hot and have everyone else show up. I expect all of the Magic players to feel an extreme sense of urgency. I expect players like Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, and Jameer Nelson to feel the need to redeem themselves. I expect Dwight Howard to say, “enough of this!” I expect the O-Rena to be epically loud this evening. I expect it to be a madhouse. I expect the smattering of fans wearing yellow and purple jerseys to be ribbed mercilessly. Most importantly, I expect Magic Land to sleep well tonight.
And hey, if nothing else, we got Gina Marie Incandela!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, Thursday, June 4, 2009, 7:30 PM
Want Storylines? We Got You Covered!
The interwebernets are chock full of articles, columns, and blogs that offer prognostication, analysis, and breakdowns of the 2009 NBA Finals. So, in this space, I wanted to offer you something slightly different: a list of the intriguing storylines – things that aren’t necessarily about what is happening under the nets – that I feel make this Finals match up just as interesting as the one that everyone outside of Orlando wanted to happen. Let’s get started…
Trevor Ariza
Regardless of how much of an impact that Ariza has on the series, his presence will be felt by both teams. He is developing into an athletic and aggressive wing-man for Kobe Bryant and his injuries seem to be behind him. It is these past injuries, specifically his foot, that make up much of the rationale behind him being traded from the Magic in the first place. After all, it is never a good thing to mention “small forward” and “foot injury” in the same sentence around the Magic offices.
The match up will surely provide some extra motivation for Ariza. Although he only spent one full season (and small amounts of two others) in Orlando, he seemed to bond quite well with the Magic’s other young and promising players Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. Many Magic fans are still sore about this trade, but that is it’s own discussion.
Rafer Alston
Rafer Alston and Otis Smith have both received much deserved praise during the Magic’s run to the Finals. Alston quickly acclimated to his new teammates and the Magic’s style of play, allowing the rotation to stay as it was prior to Jameer Nelson’s injury. Considering that Otis Smith gave up a player that wasn’t being used and a 1st rounder that will be one of the last two picks in the round, it was a brilliant move to get a starting point guard who has kept this team on track.
But here is where things get intriguing. I would argue that if the Magic were to win the Finals this season, the Rafer Alston trade would have a justifiable claim to the best in-season trade in NBA history, or at least in recent memory. The only recent in season trades that I remember that led to a title were the Rasheed Wallace trade from Portland to Detroit (via Atlanta) in 2004, and the Clyde Drexler trade (also from Portland) to Houston in 1995. But neither of those trades involved injuries to major starters. In Detroit’s case, they were coming off a loss in the ECF the previous year, had a brand new Hall of Fame coach, and made one final move to put them over the hump. My point is, the Pistons were expected to get to the Finals. As for Houston, they were the defending NBA Champions, so it isn’t like they came out of nowhere.
But Orlando’s run this season has been surprising. Yes, a 2nd round playoff appearance, a division title, and 52 wins were great last year. But the national audience was surprised to see the Magic hold the best record in the league (ok, it was only for one day) during the season and to have an impressive record against all the “real” contenders. Certainly the Magic were not expected to knock off both the Celtics and the Cavaliers on their way to the Finals. So, it is fair to say that had we not made the trade for Rafer Alston, the Magic wouldn’t be in this position.
I would love to hear from you guys on this one…can you think of any other in-season trades that had this great of an impact and led to a title?
Tyronn Lue
He was a key contributor off the bench for two of the Lakers three most recent titles. He is likely to see little playing time during the series, but his familiarity with Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, and Phil Jackson may have value throughout what is likely to be a long series. If nothing else, he could be a wise voice in the other players’ ears while on the bench. I’ve heard him speaking to Dwight several times in the locker room since he arrived, and he always seems to be offering sage advice to the younger player and putting things in perspective for him. The Rafer Alston trade may have been intended to correct the Tyronn Lue trade, but if Lue’s experience ends up being put to use during a Magic series victory, then this trade will most definitely have merit of its own.
Shaquille O’Neal
Considering that this is a player no longer involved with either team, it is a shame that this is the storyline that is likely to get the most attention. We could call these Finals the “Shaw-Shaq Redemption” Finals or the “Monkey Off Our Shaq” Finals. Truly, whichever team wins, the ever-imposing presence of O’Neal will be reduced substantially. In the case of the Lakers, Kobe Bryant (and his legacy) will be the main beneficiary, as he will no doubt view a Shaq-less title as his most important and most special. Shaq has already tried to lessen this potential impact by publicly coming out with the fact that he will be rooting for Kobe to get his fourth ring. No doubt Shaq made sure to emphasize the number as a way to draw attention to the fact that he already has his fourth.
But I would argue that it will be more substantial for the Orlando Magic because it will be not only the organization but the entire city of Orlando that will breath a sigh of relief. It was bad enough that Shaq devastated this franchise 13 years ago, but since that time he has taken every opportunity to criticize the organization and the city which he still, ironically, calls home. This season, he took things up a notch when he turned his comments toward Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy.
If the Magic win, no Magic fan will ever again care what Shaquille O’Neal has to say.
JJ Redick vs. Adam Morrison
Just kidding.
Disneyland vs. Disney World
I’ve been to both parks and both of them are great. The fact that this is even a storyline is quite sad. But there it was, on the front cover of today’s USA Today. I suppose the nation is more fascinated with these two destinations than the locals. Feel free to gasp in amazement, for there are entire weeks that go by in which I don’t even think about Disney World! Perhaps a title by the Magic will be a small step toward being known for something besides Disney.
Tiger Woods
Many of us on the Magic Message Boards have long-questioned whether Tiger Woods was actually a true fan of the Magic. Yes, he was a season ticket holder, but only seemed to show up for the bigger-name opponents. Now, he has publicly come out with the fact that he will be rooting for the Lakers. First off, did we even need to know? It was released in his monthly newsletter, so it isn’t like an interviewer put a microphone in his face and asked the question. My guess is that this will get enough press locally that Tiger may get booed when he appears for the a Finals game here in Orlando.
This is a situation where actions trump sentimentality. I don't care where he is from or who he rooted for growing up. He made a choice to make Orlando his home and has been coming to Magic games for many seasons now. The Magic should have long ago become his team of choice. It will be weird watching him rooting for the Lakers during the games here in town and then seeing him rooting for us in a regular season game next season.
All-Time Great Big Men
Look how many of the all-time great NBA big men have a stake in who wins this match up:
Shaq (already covered).
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lakers assistant coach).
Patrick Ewing (Magic assistant coach).
Bill Walton (Rooting for his son, Luke, forward for the Lakers)
Bill Russell (yeah, this one is a bit of a stretch, but you have to figure that he is pulling for us to keep the Lakers’ total title count from creeping closer to Celtics territory, not to mention keeping Phil Jackson from passing his beloved coach Red Auerbach.)
Dwight Howard (yes, he belongs in this category, if for no other reason that he is the only one actually on the court!).
Oh, and hey, I’m just curious….anyone wondering who Fran Vazquez is rooting for...his national teammate and countryman, Pau Gasol, or the team who owns his NBA rights? Somebody? Anybody? Didn't think so.
Enjoy the Finals Magic Fans!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, Monday, June 1, 2009, 11:15 AM
The Magic Won...Deal With It
So sorry to disappoint the rest of the nation, but the Orlando Magic are going to the 2009 NBA Finals. Against the wishes of the NBA, the networks, Nike, and any NBA fan not wearing Magic blue and white, the Finals will feature a matchup of two teams, not a game of one-on-one between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
As I was walking out of the O-Rena after Game 6, I was thinking about how disappointed the casual NBA fan must be. Frankly, it made me chuckle and say to myself, “too bad.” I would argue that the more exciting team won. I’m probably going to lose this argument to anyone who is not a Magic fan, and that is just fine with me. As Magic fans, we have grown accustomed to a lack of consideration from anyone associated with the NBA outside of Orlando.
Was anyone else bothered by the number of times that Nike’s Kobe/LeBron puppet commercial was aired? It even aired after the Magic eliminated LeBron from the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, I realize that Nike is careful to not explicitly say that the commercial is an advertisement for their two biggest endorsers to meet on basketball’s biggest stage, but then again, they don’t need to explicitly say it, do they? I have no clue how much potential revenue was at stake for Nike, but my guess is that they stood to gain a pretty penny from a Lakers/Cavaliers matchup. Well, again, too bad!
Look, I’ve got nothing against Nike personally, but it seems that ever since Michael Jordon laced up his first pair of “Airs,” Nike has been an extremely powerful force in the NBA, and in basketball in general. I mean, since when should the manufacturer of the shoes that player’s wear have this much influence – real or perceived – on the game itself? Can you guys imagine Goodyear having this much influence over NASCAR? I mean, if anything, shouldn’t Spaulding be the company in this position? At least they make the actual ball that’s used! If LeBron or Kobe went to the local Wal-Mart and picked up a pair of off-brand hi-tops and wore them for one game, or even for one quarter, would either of them be less of a player?
The NBA’s network partners weren’t much better. They clearly wanted the more marquee matchup. TNT’s Kenny “the Jet” Smith could not face the truth and never seemed to back away from his stance that the Cavaliers were the better team. Once LeBron was eliminated, he couldn’t jump on Kobe’s back fast enough. I understand that in business, especially in a time of recession, it is important to maximize your potential revenue. This means offering the matchup that most people in the country are likely to tune in for, allowing the networks to charge top dollar for an advertising spot. But surely these things are pre-set as far as cost, right? I can’t believe that TNT or ABC can suddenly, just a couple of days before a series begins, decide to raise the price for how much they charge for an ad spot because the matchup is more attractive.
I don’t buy in to the idea of an NBA-led conspiracy. I think that as a business, the NBA has their preferences; outcomes that they deem to be more financially rewarding. But I think there is a big gap between having preferences and taking steps to turn those preferences into actual outcomes.
The NBA and the networks are hardly the only ones that seem to push for these matchups. The national media are probably as guilty as anyone in feeding the LeBron/Kobe hype machine. Even now, two days after the Magic eliminated the Cavaliers, all that the national media can talk about is LeBron James and his lack of sportsmanship. Who cares? Shouldn’t you guys be talking about the Magic and the Lakers? At this point, I’d rather see headlines and articles talking about how the Magic have zero shot against the Lakers than to hear someone’s opinion on why LeBron “dissed” Howard. Outside of Cleveland, and especially in Orlando and LA, the NBA focus should be on the Lakers vs. Magic.
What’s not to love about this matchup? The Magic are truly a balanced team. Dwight Howard may be the focus, but he is not the only weapon the Magic have at their disposal. Rashard Lewis has become a stone-cold marksman from the arc, hitting numerous big time shots, just when they were needed. Turkoglu has practically turned inconsistency into a virtue, finding ways to positively impact the game, even if his shot isn’t falling. Rafer Alston, who had been a steady facilitator, now has altered his game slightly to provide a timely scoring punch to the Magic’s offense. And Courtney Lee, I cannot say enough about this supposed “rookie!” The cat does not get fazed!
As good as our starting five are, the best reason that you shouldn’t assume the Lakers are going to win the Finals is the Magic’s bench. We have incredible depth; depth that we have particularly developed over the 2nd half of the season. Our third-string shooting guard started in a 7 game series against the defending NBA champions. Our 2nd string shooting guard just finished playing admirably against the second-best all-around player in the game. Our backup point guard has logged more playoff games than anyone on the team, and our backup center has filled in so well, the team and fans aren’t worried when Dwight has to sit for awhile.
Maybe I’m biased, but I think that NBA fans across the nation and overseas are going to be very satisfied with the quality of the entertainment in this season’s Finals. Two great teams, each featuring one marquee name but multiple marquee talents, are likely to play an extended series. In fact, I’d argue that the Magic are the East team that is most likely to take the Lakers to a Game 7, thus allowing everyone – fans, NBA, networks, and yes, even Nike – to benefit in whichever way they deem most important. I’m sure they will still figure out a way to market the individual stars, but it is the teams that will shine.
I’m pretty sure that no NBA title has ever been awarded to a single player, no matter how great he was. The Eastern Conference Finals showed us that one great player can will a team to a tremendous regular season; however, it isn’t enough to win a title. If you need another example, just look at the Magic’s opponent in the Finals. The Lakers missed the playoffs entirely the year after Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton left the team. The next two seasons, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round. It wasn’t until last season, when the Lakers added a legitimate low-post scorer in Pao Gasol, that they were able to take advantage of having the greatest player in the game.
So, to all the fans who are upset that they won’t see Kobe and LeBron go one-on-one, believe me, you likely wouldn’t have seen much of that anyway. Furthermore, the game is played by 5 guys on a court together, not one. If you want to see LeBron and Kobe together, go check out that puppet commercial that is probably going to air all throughout the Summer. But if you want to see an impressive display of team basketball, just tune in to ABC on June 4th.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, Friday, May 29, 2009, 10:15 AM
Bounce Back Magic
The Orlando Magic cannot point to bad officiating or a miracle shot this time. No, this time they need to look a bit more at themselves. It is one thing to allow the Cavs to once again move out to a big lead off of a fast start. But when you add poor shooting to the mix – especially from the free throw line – then any good you’ve done yourself by clawing back into the game is negated. The Magic shot 68% from the free throw line, and it was the timing of the misses that seemed to really hurt them. If the Magic make just 5 more of the 13 they missed, it might be a different ballgame.
Beyond that, we have to touch on the hero-to-goat angle. Rafer came back down to earth last night from his huge Game 4 performance, making only one of his 10 field goal attempts. The Magic’s “live by the three; die by the three” mentality was showcased in Rafer’s 1-for-7 night from behind the arc. The telling part is that only three of his attempts were from within the arc. His decision making was suspect as well. One poor decision that really stuck out for me: late in the fourth quarter, when the Magic were down by 8, but still in the game,
Dwight Howard had incredible position on Anderson Varejao in the post, and the double team wasn’t coming. Alston was on the weak side – same as Howard – but instead of throwing it into Howard, Alston elected to launch a bad three point attempt. The Cavs quickly rebounded and Varejao converted an “and 1” play at the other end for a commanding 11 point lead. Considering that Howard could have converted the basket and possibly drawn a foul, then we are looking at the classic 6-point swing right there.
But once again the Magic’s resiliency was evident. The Cavaliers are pretty much incapable of sustaining a big lead against us. This is the first time that a breakdown in the fourth quarter has cost us a game against them. As good as this win must feel for the Cavaliers players, coaches, and fans, it must be frustrating as hell to play this Magic team, especially in their building. The Q is rocking, the stars are gawking, the Cavs shots are falling, and things are amen pass the gravy.
But then here comes that pesky Magic team chipping away at that lead. Here is Dwight Howard smiling and swinging. Here’s Turk with that almost smug look on his face after burying a three. Here’s Rashard making everyone shiver cuz of how cool he is. Here’s Pietrus doing that head-bobbing thing after every made shot. And here’s Courtney Lee stealing from LeBron James, going up for breakaway dunks and getting fouled, and basically walking around forgetting he’s supposed to be affected by all this. If I were a Cavs fan, I’d be hating the Magic with every fiber of my being. And I love it! I loved watching the Cavs fans booing Howard every time he got another Cavs player upset. I loved the way Howard was eating it up, yet keeping his cool.
The Magic lost the game, and there were plenty of not-so-pretty things that led to it. But I didn’t see anything in this game that makes me think that the Cavs can do this two more times, especially considering the next one is back in the very loud, very intimidating (you listening Barkley?) Amway Arena. The Cavaliers still have not made adjustments, and have no answer for Howard. Big Z finally hit his outside shots and Mo Williams finally managed to play like the third-choice All Star player he thinks he is. Otherwise, another brilliant performance by LeBron James would have been wasted. But here I go banging on the Cavs when it was the Magic who should have done more.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Game 6 is the biggest Magic game in more than a decade, because of what is at stake. If we lose Game 6, all the momentum goes back to Cleveland and the entire country will be delirious with renewed dreams of Kobe vs. LeBron. Sickening, yes, I know...but we are in a position to crush that dream again. I can’t wait to see it happen.
All season long, this has been a team that has bounced back from adversity and has played its best games against the best teams. They have regrouped from injuries and bad play, and have been able to win despite lineup changes. The depth of this team is as good as any team we’ve ever had. The fan base of this team seems as strong as it has ever been. Let the Cavaliers and their fans, and even Nike, the NBA, and their television partners, have their moment. Ours will come Saturday night.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, May 28, 2009, 9:30 AM
Magic Energy Boost
Today was a rough day physically at work. It was hard to function on four hours sleep and a fitful four hours at that. It's hard to sleep after witnessing such a nerve racking, absolutely action packed basketball game like we "witnessed" (see what I did there) in last night's Magic victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The coffee I consumed did nothing but increase how many times I had to leave my office. My yawn-per-minute rate was at a solid .577 and by the end of the afternoon I was shuffling, not walking, around the office. But emotionally? Well, that was a completely different story!
Had I not slept at all, I think I could have made it through the day just on the energy boost from being a fan of this team right now. During Game 4, on the jumbotron, they displayed quotes from Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis in which the players stated the importance of the home crowd and how they feed off our energy. Well, I found out today that this aspect of the team/fan relationship is reciprocal in nature. Watching the way the Magic took everything that the Cavs gave them and kept asking for more, it gave me energy to last, well, until tomorrow night's Game 5!
Anyone who was living here in 1995 is getting a familiar feeling. The city is buzzing about the Magic. People who haven't watched the team much in years are suddenly hanging on every play and find themselves with just as much righteous indignation toward Joey Crawford (or insert any other NBA refs name here) as even the most dedicated member of the official Orlando Magic Message Boards. Wives are balled up on the couch, hugging pillows and screaming at the television; DVRs are working ovetime; and although it can't be confirmed, at least one senior citizen in the Conway area proclaimed loudly "just who the hell does this Kenny Smith character think he is!?"
What it all means is that these are special times for Magic Land. The ride is far from over, and we have many more tough games ahead, but we've reached the part of our journey where we can emphatically say "Ok, we've entired new territory for this team. Everything feels different now." People throw around the word "destiny" too much - though I bet you rarely hear it from fans - but I will say that this is a team that is so single-mindedly focused on its goal, I don't see how they won't achieve it.
I wrote yesterday of the importance of winning Game 4 so that the Magic did not need to worry about taking control of the series in Game 5, 6, or 7. To trivialize that sentiment now would be insincere and unfair. But I must say that this Game 5 now becomes the biggest game of the year. Sure, we get three chances to close the Cavaliers out, but tomorrow night is the Cavs first of three possible chances to stay in this thing. Why give them any hope? I heard a fan say "wouldn't it be great if the Magic could close it out in Game 6 in front of the home crowd?" Well, sure, that would be a great outcome, but not in a million years would I take that over a chance to close it out in Game 5 in Cleveland.
But even if some fans are debating the merits of which game to win, you better believe that the Magic players are locked in on Game 5. As has been reported by basically every media outlet and the Orlando Sentinel, Coach Stan Van Gundy had his team convinced - within minutes of Game 4 ending - that this win was nothing and that they needed to focus on Game 5. In the O-Rena stands, in the tunnels, in Blue, in the media room, in the locker room, everyone that wasn't a Magic player or coach was walking around in a giddy daze. Big grins, high fives, fist bumps, a hug here or there, all was happy and merry and oh joy the wonder of being alive and a Magic fan!
At least four different times, Orlandomagic.com's Dan Savage and myself kept asking each other "are the Magic actually up 3-1 on the Cavs?!" After all, the game lasted so long, it was hard to believe it was actually over. I still kept envisioning LeBron's final three dropping. But the Magic players were calm, cool, and frankly, awe-inspiring in how matter-of-fact they were. They are living their professional dreams right now but you'd think they just punched the clock at an every day job.you know, like the ones the rest of us go to!
But that's cool, it's all good, because I took my portion of the Magic's energy and goodwill and applied it to my day. People say that sports is just a game and it isn't important in everyday life. Perhaps that's true, I won't debate that, but I will say that having your favorite sports team play this well makes all that everyday life stuff just a bit sweeter.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, May 26, 2009, 5:30 PM
Must. Win. NOW!
Remember how we all felt at this point during the second round series against Boston? We had just finished off our first home game with a great victory over the Celtics, giving us a 2-1 series edge. We talked about how we were clearly the better team after taking Game One in Boston. We talked about how if we won Game 4, the series was pretty much over. We lost that Game 4 against Boston on a Big Baby heartbreaker and we had to sink even lower in Game 5 before finding our redemption in Games 6 and 7. If you’re starting to get vu ja de, there’s a reason for it. Because here we are again!
If we lose tonight, it doesn’t mean the series is over. It doesn’t really even mean that we have lost the upper hand. So, in this sense, we could categorize tonight’s game as the Magic having more to gain than they do to lose. And boy do they have so much to gain! A win in tonight’s Game 4 would throw the Cavs not only against the ropes but down on the mat. They might get up for one last roundhouse in Game 5, but the likelyhood of the Cavs beating us 3 games in a row would be slim-to-none with slim going and finding a nice sandwich.
The mental hit that the Cavs would take would take them out of the series and it would also finally get the national media talking about this Orlando Magic team. If we lose, it gives the Cavs, and the national media, hope for a Kobe/LeBron Finals. I still would like our chances to win the series even if it goes 2-2, because we still match up so well against the Cavs, but we would suddenly have no room for error and the Game 5 matchup in Cleveland becomes even more of a must-win than the Game 6 here against Boston.
The Magic would save themselves so much time and trouble, and save Magic Land so much mental anguish, if they just took care of business tonight.
A win tonight becomes the biggest Magic home win since Game 7 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals.
Nasty On the Outside, But Amazing On the Inside!
As I pulled into the O-Rena parking garage around 6:30 on Sunday night for Game 3, the storm clouds were rolling in but had yet to speak their mind. I figured I only needed 3 or 4 minutes to make my way into the building. Of course, it was silly of me to think I could predict nature. I no sooner had made my way out of the safe confines of the garage then the clouds spotted me with my umbrella and had themselves a chuckle. The wind made having the umbrella a distinct disadvantage. So, realizing that my bottom half was already soaked, I closed the umbrella and ran the rest of the way to media tunnel. If I had jumped into a pool with my clothes on, I could not have looked more drenched. I made my way to the media room and found a corner where I could drip for awhile.
Without giving too many details away about your favorite Fan Voice, let me tell you that while my outer layers had somewhat dried by the time I left the O-Rena at around 12:40 AM, my inner layers still needed some work. But if things were bad outside of the building, the outcome of the game occuring on the inside more than made up for it. I will gladly sit soaked for all future home wins.
Game 3 Observations
So, as I looked around at all the nice new #23 Cavaliers jerseys, I couldn’t help but wonder what all these people will do with them in a year’s time when LeBron is playing for New York or New Jersey.
If you think the LeBron/Kobe argument is a tough one...here is one I struggled with during the game: which player I love to hate more, Anderson Varejao or Mo Williams.
Off to my right was the raised platform set up for the TNT “studio” team. Charles Barkley was a huge hit and a large cluster of fans remained around them most of the game. I tried to figure out a way to meet Chuck but apparently the TNT green room isn’t visible on the O-Rena blueprints.
Here’s my only problem with having that little 7-year-old firecracker singing the National Anthem at Magic home games: I end up watching her instead of looking at Old Glory!
I cannot tell you how proud I was of my fellow Magic fans in attendance when they booed LeBron “King” James during player intros! They continued to boo him throughout the game as well. Apparently, Charles Barkley said that the Magic home crowd isn’t intimidating and that we basically suck as fans. I’m sure he has changed his mind after Game 3.
It was nice to see Coach Stan Van Gundy employ the Magic’s “twin towers” lineup with Gortat and Howard to start the 2nd. Hopefully, Stan Van Gundy won’t judge it’s effectiveness on how the team performed during this time. Two poor decisions by Rafer Alston led to easy transition baskets by the Cavs and a quick timeout from SVG.
I certainly love LeBron James as a player but I could not believe the stunt he pulled by walking through the Orlando Magic Dancers while they were performing a routine at half-court. The home crowd really let LeBron have it and the Magic’s emcee Scottie B took a not-so-veiled shot at LeBron when he asked for a round of applause for the “classy Orlando Magic Dancers” at the end of the routine. LeBron is lucky that Former Magic Dancer April wasn’t still part of the team...who knows what I might have done!
It shouldn’t come as any surprise why Mickael Pietrus is having great success now in the playoffs. He is giving us exactly what we expected of him when we signed him: fearless drives to the basket and strong perimeter defense.
I’ve finally figured out the key to our officiating woes: if the ref is bald, it spells bad news for the Magic.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, May 24, 2009, 10:30 AM
I Know It's A Cliché, But..
As an NBA fan, I've spent the better part of the last decade or so abhorring the virulent use of clichés by players, coaches, and commentators. After hearing phrases like "giving 110%," "taking it one game at a time," and my personal favorite, "it is what it is," over and over again, it starts to grate on you. If you add in players' liberal use of "space fillers" like "you know, um" and "that being said," among others, you begin to realize that people are capable of saying quite a bit without actually saying anything at all.
So, it must admit that I found it quite refreshing and enlightening when I saw what I would have previously categorized as a standard cliché being utilized in a real and effective manner. I'm referring to the über-coaching that Stan Van Gundy has done in Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It is perhaps the best in-game motivational coaching that I personally have seen from him since he joined the Magic. It is too early to tell where and how this season will end for the Magic, but it is apparent that this is a coach that knows his team and is able to guide it effectively, making the necessary vocal tweaks, when needed.
In both games, the Cavaliers have used their home court, their home crowd, and their energy to establish large early leads. Despite these leads, the each game has been decided by one point. The Magic have not despaired but instead made the necessary corrections and overcame the lead slowly and with a measure of execution and timely shots. While Stan Van Gundy is not responsible for the uncanny shooting of Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, Mickael Pietrus, and Courtney Lee, he is responsible for reminding them of this ability and making them aware of what they need to do to make use of this ability.
During timeouts and halftime, the TNT cameras picked up a very calm, yet direct Stan Van Gundy imploring his players to take each possession one at a time and to get one stop, and then another. He talked about the players focusing more on their effort and the need to play 48 minutes. If you're reading this in a vacuum, it sounds like just a bunch of clichés. But in viewing these statements in the context of the game, both before and after Van Gundy made these statements, I realized that they were extremely insightful and accurate, no matter how basic they sounded.
The Magic did exactly what Stan Van Gundy told them to do. They didn't have to decrease that deficit all at once, they simply did it one possession at time and one stop at a time. The players seemingly took Stan's abstract words and applied them concretely. I'm not ready to stop groaning every time I hear a cliché, but I guess there are times when the most simply observation is the only one to make.
The most glaring problem in Games 1 and 2 is that the Cavaliers have been able to storm out to big leads while the Magic start out slow. It is a testament to Stan that he has been able to adjust his team's performance during the game. Hopefully the raucous Magic home crowd can help the Magic out to big leads of their own during Games 3 and 4.
But we'll just have to take it one game at a time.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, May 17, 2009, 10:30 AM
Seize This Moment
If Games 4 and 5 of the Magic vs. Celtics second round series were the two most sickening games in recent memory, then Game 6 must have been the medicine. It sure didn't go down easy, but it was effective, and in the playoffs, isn't that what matters? It sure wasn't a pretty game, but it had enough pretty moments to get the job done. The Magic could have easily just laid down in Game 6 and conceded the series to the Celtics. Frankly, that is exactly what they seemed to be doing for much of the game. The Magic would make these short sudden runs at the ends of the periods to draw within a point or two of Boston, only to let Boston build back some distance at the start of the next quarter.
Sitting in the stands, it was hard to keep resignation from creeping in, especially when the Celtics finally built a larger lead in the fourth quarter. I listened as the O-rena erupted every time the Celtics scored or made a play. It was easy to imagine that we were in Boston. I looked around at the Celtics fans near me in their brand new Celtics jerseys and t-shirts and saw just how smug they looked.
But then the Magic finally put a run together and built a little lead of their own. My hope was back! But then, so was Paul Pierce! Those three straight jumpers to take the Celtics from being down five to being up one were infuriating because everyone in the building new what was coming - pull-up jumpers - and he was still able to do it! The Magic responded; they gathered themselves and kept doing what had worked. Two of the biggest shots of the night - the three pointers by Rafer Alston and Hedo Turkoglu, were the kind of shots that make you cringe - and I did - when they are going up. After all, our vaunted three point shooting has been well, not so vaunted? As the shots were going up I went from yelling "no no no" to "yes yes yes!" It was very satisfying to see the Magic continuing to attack even after they got the lead back. They didn't settle for a one point win.
So, now it all comes down to Sunday, May 17th, 2009. Either this day will be remembered as the last day of the Magic's 2009 season or it will simply be a mile marker on this team's continuing trek through the 2009 playoffs. As a fan, I'm sure as hell not ready for this to all be over. I have had just way too much fun this season. Oh sure, it has been nerve-wracking at times, but in a good way, right?
In advance of the game, I have some things that I'd like for the Orlando Magic to keep in mind...you know, just some pointers from us fans.
We don't need to launch 27 3-pointers to beat Boston. Ok, so we've set records the last two seasons. But what good are those records doing us in this series? If the shots aren't falling from the outside, maybe try getting just a bit closer!
Don't wait until your down to get aggressive. Don't wait until the end of quarters to make your run! Building a big lead doesn't mean your winning the game, it only means your leading the game.
Dwight needs to remember how much better he is than Kendrick Perkins. He sure seemed to remember in Game 6.
Rashard Lewis needs to remember that he can post up any guard Boston puts on him and drive around any big they put on him.
Turk needs to remember that a drive in the lane doesn't have to end in throwing the ball up and hoping for a whistle.
Courtney Lee needs to remember that he is just as quick as anyone that steps on the court with him, including Eddie House.
Rafer Alston needs to remember that dribble penetration is an extremely potent move and is a much more effective move for him than a spot-up 3-pointer.
JJ Redick needs to remember that the courts in the NBA are the same size at the NCAAs and that the rim is still only 10 feet tall. He should still be able to shoot lights-out at this level.
Mickael Pietrus needs to remember that his defense and his strong drives to the basket are what makes him stand out on this team...not his outside shooting.
Marcin Gortat needs to remember his training...the smallest of all the bears was still bigger than Scalabrine, Big Baby, or Perkins.
Anthony Johnson needs to remember that he has more experience than Rajon Rondo and more savvy than Stephon Marbury.
Stan Van Gundy needs to remember...wait, hold on...Stan needs to forget, Tony Battie. At least for this one day.
Finally, the entire team needs to remember that they are a better team than the Celtics!
And hey, nobody panic!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, May 11, 2009, 6:45 PM
Heartbreaker
Well, talk about going to emotional extremes in the span of just a few seconds. I was standing in front of my seat, speaking with two other media members about what an exciting finish this was (last night’s Game 4 loss to the Celtics), and how amazing it was to see Dwight and Rashard both hit free throws late to put us in the lead.
I also commented on how scary it was that the Celtics had 11 seconds to try to get the ball into Paul Pierce’s or Ray Allen’s hands. I was already envisioning how I was going to react if the Celtics didn’t make the shock. In that moment, I just couldn’t even fathom the impact that going up 3-1 on Boston would have for the team, the town, and the fans. While it would hardly mean that the series was over, it would be such a huge step mentally for basketball in Orlando.
Watching Glen “Big Baby” Davis hit that shot and then immediately seeing that red border of death surrounding the backboard, sent a wave of numbness all throughout my body. The absolute worst part of it all was being able to hear a surprisingly loud roar from the pro-Boston fans in the building. We had quieted them for much of the fourth quarter only to have them go home happy, boisterous, and in my opinion, after watching them file out, belligerent. Seeing Davis celebrate his incredible play by getting into it (at least verbally) with Magic fans certainly didn’t help. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t even move from the spot where I was standing.
All I could do was take it all in, feel that awful feeling, I mean really feel it and appreciate it. I’ve spoken with several fellow Magic fans today who woke up this morning from a nice dream only to have the reality of last night’s events hit them again like a Rajon Rondo backhand. But I think it is important for fans to feel awful, to feel like they’ve lost something important. Don’t get me wrong, I hate the feeling. Orlando fans have to struggle with the constant sense that we are underdogs because of our smaller market, our smaller arena, our lack of a title, and our lack of respect. But by realizing what we are missing, and recognizing how bad it feels after games like Game 4, we can appreciate how wonderful it will feel when we are the team that has overcome a grueling playoffs and finished on top. More and more I feel like the it is a case of “when, not if.”
I know that the players are feeling it too, and they are responding accordingly. The players that are supposed to be our best players all stepped up last night. Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, and Courtney Lee. Sure, neither Turkoglu or Lee shot particularly well, but both of them ramped up their games late and made plays in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. Frankly, had it not been for the poor play (i.e., shooting) of the complementary players on the roster, we might have had a different outcome.
Coach Stan Van Gundy did his usual falling on his sword routine after the game, but it was matchups that seemed to be the problem, not the defense on the final play. It is my personal opinion that any minutes slotted for Tony Battie should instead go to Marcin Gortat. Battie has missed all four of his shot attempts in the past two games. They weren’t even good shots, and they didn’t even come close. Gortat gets inside, where he should be, and does damage. So long as Rafer Alston and JJ Redick are struggling (each shot 1 for 7), then I think Courtney Lee and Gortat need to see more court time together. To Redick’s credit, he did lead the team in assists with 7.
As awful as I feel and as bad a night it was for our guys are us fans, I still feel pretty good about the series. Sure, Boston may be riding some momentum, and yeah, they got their home court advantage back. But Boston shot over 52% from the field in a game that we shot 40 percent (including 18% from 3-point land) and yet they still needed a miracle shot at the buzzer from their 5th best player on the court to beat us! You can call that a homer statement if you want, but we stunk up the place last night and still almost won. I can guarantee you that this is what the players are thinking, and if it is good enough for those actually playing the game, then it is good enough for those of us that are watching it!
Can’t wait until tomorrow night.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, May 6, 2009, 5:15 PM
Victory Rant
Rarely have I been this upset after a major victory, and a major playoff victory at that! But this is where I find myself in the aftermath of the Game 1 victory over the Boston Celtics in the EC Semifinals.
I wasn't expecting the Magic to receive much respect on a national scale in this series. Frankly, in the NBA playoffs, respect has to be earned and we have yet to achieve anything worthy of respect. I'm also not one of these fans that is angered when we fail to get respect, even if it is earned. Because as Magic fans, we are biased and will always assume we
are deserving before the rest of the league will say the same.
However, I will say this, and I hope you will take it to heart: there is a difference between a lack or absence of respect and disrespect. To me, the former implies a passive stance while the latter implies an aggressive stance, possibly with intent. In other words, you almost have to consciously attempt to disrespect someone in order to actually achieve it.
And this is where we find ourselves. I felt that we were disrespected in the national media when the primary story coming out of Game 1 was how the Celtics almost won the game not how the Magic did win the game. The sentiment was that the Celtics were suffering from the fatigue of the epic first round series with the Bulls. I found this particularly funny
because another sentiment expressed how the Celtics came away with a moral victory in part because they were the more aggressive team! So, they were suffering from fatigue but were also the more aggressive team? So which is it?
Stan Van Gundy was not permitted to even enjoy the victory during his post-game press conference. He was on the defensive from the start, having to justify why the victory was still meaningful despite barely holding on to the lead. See, this is where the typical fan just doesn't understand the mentality of the media. The goal is to win! We won! If a team wins Game 7 of the NBA Finals by one point after blowing a 20 point lead in the fourth quarter, does the team hang their heads? No way!
They are rejoicing and celebrating! The city plans parades and the local papers make headlines in 120 point font! So, why should any playoff
victory be viewed differently? Especially when the winning team holds a lead and gains home court advantage. Apparently, Orlando doesn't qualify for this consideration. In fact, our very own local paper, the Orlando Sentinel, piled on the team as well. Here was the headline referencing Game 1: "Orlando Magic Nearly Blow 28 Point Lead, Hold On to Beat Celtics." Pathetic. Would it have killed them to say something like "Magic Deflect Celtics Rally, Hold On To Win Nailbiter."
I realize that the Magic players themselves aren't happy about the way they played in the 2nd half, nor do I want them to be happy about it. But I do want them to be happy about the outcome!
I also read where we will only get partial credit for any victory over the Celtics because Kevin Garnett is out. Well, we are out two starters ourselves! I won't argue that Courtney Lee and Jameer Nelson are the equivalent in stature of Kevin Garnett, even combined. But I will say that these players are just as important to our team and to what we do as a team as KG is to the Celtics. Also, I'm going to step out on a limb and suggest that Jameer Nelson has just a bit more competitive professionalism than Kevin Garnett does.
Garnett's actions on the sidelines of the Celtics/Bulls series have made the rounds. He has even started it in this series. Not sure if anyone else noticed it, and I haven't bothered to look to see if it has been written about, but just as SVG was calling the time out when the Celtics cut it to 10 points in Game 1, the TNT cameras showed KG doing some funky thing with this right hand fingers against his left hand palm in the direction of the Magic.
My guess is that it was directed specifically toward Howard and that it was KG's way of gesturing that Howard should "Twitter about that!" This is a player that Howard looks up to and is a player that has claimed he enjoys mentoring Howard and yet he thought it was fine to openly taunt Howard like that in such a malicious way, especially considering that KG isn't even playing.
These are just a few examples of the disrespect that has been directed toward the Magic despite the Game 1 victory. It may turn out that we had this coming. Surely, if we don't win the series, it will be well-earned, and this series is not over, not remotely. But it seems to me that the only way the Magic can swing the meter from disrespect all the way over to respect is to beat Boston and then win the Eastern Conference Finals as well. Looking at it objectively (I'll try anyway!), that is the only way that it should happen.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, May 1, 2009, 10:22 AM
Instant Grit
Greetings from Anaheim, California!
I may be far away from my version of Magic Land but my thoughts are close to home after tonight's incredible Game 6 close out of the pesky Sixers.
Tonight's game was by far one of the most rewarding games I've watched in quite some time. I must have stuck out amongst the other patrons at the lobby bar of the Anaheim Hilton (a large 1600 room convention hotel) as I wore my blue "Blue and White Ignite" t-shirt and yelled loudly for every great play. But I didn't care...
...I was having too much fun watching players like Rashard Lewis step up and play like an all-star and a leader. It would appear that four games of mediocrity is the limit for Lewis. He shed his lethargy from Games 1 through 4 and took over the series in Games 5 and 6. He went from missing shots to making them. He went from being passive to being assertive. And the Magic went from losing to winning.
I'm not certain how much of it was Lewis showing grit at last and how much was a shift in strategy by Stan Van Gundy...likely a bit of both. But watching Lewis score 17 points in the first half tonight took my apprehensions for the Game 6 outcome and transformed them into a fun and carefree game filled with great plays from nearly ever Magic player that got in the game.
And just in time for Rasheed Wallace to vacate the position, Samuel Dalembert has completed a very convincing audition for the role of most hated Magic playoff opponent. His exchanges with Dwight and Turk this season have been, well, troublesome. But considering that we came out on the positive side of the matchup, I'll leave some of my hate on the court (or is that the couch?).
The grit and determination that Lewis has shown these past two games will be even more crucial in the next round against the winner of the Boston/Chicago marathon. We will need him to demand the ball more - even with Dwight back in the game - and we will need him to continue to shoulder a heavier offensive load with Courtney Lee likely to miss much of the series and with Turk in and out of a shooting slump. The great two-man game that he and Rafer Alston demonstrated at times last night would be a great start!
I apologize for the short post, but even though my watch is on Pacific time, my body thinks it's well past midnight. I'll see you guys for the 2nd round!
How great is it to be a Magic fan now!!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, May 1, 2009, 10:22 AM
No Pistons, No Problem??
The people are saying that the Orlando Magic should still win the first round series with the Philadelphia 76ers. And by people I mean me. Just now.
But I still find it humorous that Magic Land breathed a collective sigh of relief when it became certain that we wouldn't face the supposedly "tougher" Detroit Pistons and instead got the Sixers, a team known more for its athletic wing players. See, while it can be debated that the Pistons are tougher than us - our team defense is solid - it apparently can also be debated that the Sixers are more athletic than us. Right? No, not really.
It can't be denied that the Sixers caught all of us off guard in Game One. Call it karma or call it the aftermath of a bad O-Rena Hot Dog, but when a fan base is so excited to take on one team instead of another, it isn't surprising that this is the outcome. Had we won Game One in a match with Detroit, we'd be as giddy as WPMagic at a Ryan Adams concert, because it wouldn't have been expected. Instead, we go from what should have been a ho-hum Game One victory over the Sixers to a wha-WHAT opening game loss that has us scratching our heads like we've just read a Jareth Cutestory post.
In Game One, the Magic took a fourth quarter beating from a team not known for its shooting. We took a class in wide open three point shooting from a player, Donyell Marshall, who was probably only in the game because his team was down by 18! The Sixers are a solid team to be sure.
The point guard position is more than solid with Andre Miller. The center position is also solid with Samuel Dalembert. The small forward position is in tremendous shape with Andre Iguodala. Assuming that Elton Brand returns healthy and integrates himself successfully with the rest of the Sixers starters, then they have a very solid core amongst those
four. Then, you have dynamic, young wing players like Louis Williams and Thaddeus Young that can play several positions and are only getting better. It should not be surprising that the Sixers were able to catch the Magic off guard both in the first half and certainly in the fourth quarter.
But the Magic have a clear, unmistakeable advantage over the Sixers with Dwight Howard. Until he was swiped in the eye, he was having his way with the Sixers. We lost our momentum after that, and lapses on defense led to wide open shots for the Sixers. In what logic-based universe should Donyell Marshall shoot 3 for 4 from beyond the arc? Was Robert Horry in the house or something? The likelyhood of that happening again are slim to none, with slim being fed an O-Rena Chicken Tender Basket for good measure. Stan Van Gundy would have to be catatonic in an O-rena janitor's closet for Marshall to see two feet of space in any further games in this series.
Dwight Howard had a monster game...with that still being an understatement. Rafer Alston shot poorly but otherwise was solid and was our only threat from downtown. After slow starts, Courtney Lee and Rashard Lewis heated up, with Lee scoring 13 points in the 2nd quarter!
Anthony Johnson, of all people, had the play of the game, going inside on noted shot blocker Theo Ratliff and laying a near-buzzer beater throw down. Since there has to be something negative to say after a loss of such magnitude, I will single out the bench, and Hedo Turkoglu. Outside of Johnson, the bench gave the Magic 43 surprisingly ineffectual
minutes. Starters always play more in the playoffs, but I still would have expected the bench players to have some impact while they are in the game.
As for Turkoglu, it was almost as if he wasn't there! He only took 8 shots and only made two of them. He only took two 3 pointers, with one being a one-winged duck of a shot at the end of the game. It was so bad a shot that Coach Van Gundy called Turk out in his post-game press conference, implying that the team still needs to work with Turk on when to take shots with a short clock.
Someone only looking at the Magic's box score would wonder how we lost. We shot more free throws than the Sixers, and for a good percentage. We shot nearly 49% from the field, which is excellent. We only had 10 turnovers, which is acceptable. The rebounding, assists, blocks, and steals totals for both teams were extremely even.
However, we allowed the Sixers to shoot over 51 percent from the field. More shocking, we allowed them to shoot 58% from beyond the arc, while making two more 3's than us. We shot a very poor 28 percent from 3-land, making only 5. Truly, the game was won by them and lost by us during the crucial moments at the beginning of the fourth.
So what happens tonight and for the rest of the series? First off, I think that Howard will try to assert himself even more tonight. The reigning 2009 NBA Defensive Player of the Year will likely take off early and often. As for Hedo, I wouldn't be surprised if he takes 8 shots (his Game One total) in the first quarter alone. Personally, I
would rather him take his risky shots early in the game as opposed to later. I know he has the reputation of "Mr. Fourth Quarter," but personally, I'd rather that the Magic not have to rely on his heroics and instead feed the big man down low and then ride him to an early and definitive lead.
Look for Alston to at least keep up with Miller, if not totally take him out of the game. Look for Courtney Lee to do anything he wants with the basketball. Look for Rashard Lewis to take at least 8 three pointers and make at least four. And look for the Magic fans to go home happy tonight.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, April 3, 2009, 4:11PM
A Case for #25
Ever since the Miami Heat retired Alonzo Mourning’s jersey number in a drawn out ceremony on Monday night, the talk around Magic Land – radio, internet, and print – has been “who’s jersey number should the Orlando Magic retire?”
Considering the Magic and Heat share a similar, short history, it makes sense to wonder who should be the Magic’s first. Alonzo Mourning certainly makes sense for the Heat, he holds many of their career statistical records, he was the face of the franchise for a period of time, and he was on the roster that won the Heat’s NBA championship. For the Orlando Magic, there are fewer tangible standards for which to base the decision on. Our most physically gifted former players – Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, and Tracy McGrady – all left the franchise after relatively short tenures and with varying degrees of animosity. Scratch that, all three departures were ugly, with Shaq’s being the most devastating.
It is easy to project into the future and see young, dynamic players such as Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard as players who will have the skill, potential success, and longevity to be obvious choices for jersey retirement. And if it turns out that one of these two players – assuming Nelson retires before Howard – are the Magic’s first, then that would be perfectly acceptable to this fan.
But there are two other players that fall into a different category of consideration. The category is “beloved” and the players are Nick Anderson and Darrell Armstrong. Both players enjoyed individual success with the Magic. Anderson enjoyed a bit more team success, being an integral part of the Magic’s run from 1994 to 1996. But their worthiness for consideration goes beyond statistics, league-wide perception, or tangible things such as awards, all star appearances, and all-NBA teams. It should be noted that Armstong did achieve an impressive double: winning both the 6th Man Award and Most Improved Player Award in 1999. In order to separate these two as candidates, I am going to point out that despite his long tenure with the Magic, Armstong has yet to make his way back to the franchise. I’m not implying that he will or even needs to, but this is the most obvious difference I choose to use in focusing more on Anderson as a candidate.
I should state for the record that Nick Anderson has always been and will continue to be my favorite Magic player of all time. Despite this partiality, I would like to also state that I will not be upset if the Magic choose not to retire Anderson’s jersey number, provided I agree with their reasons. Let’s just say that if O’Neal’s “32” ever hangs from the rafters but Anderson’s “25” doesn’t, I will be one of many Magic fans in an uproar. I simply intend to lay out a case for his consideration.
Nick Anderson was the first ever draft pick for the franchise in 1989. Beginning with his rookie year, Anderson was an integral piece on the court and by his third year, he was leading the team in scoring at nearly 20 points per game and, at least locally, was in consideration for an all-star spot. I think it speaks highly of Anderson that in his fourth year he again averaged nearly 20 points per game despite the addition of Shaquille O’Neal. Anderson’s game was centered around quick, fearless drives to the basket, a strong interior presence, and aggressive defense. By 1993, most of his statistical averages started to drop, but that had more to do with the presence and emergence of players such as Penny Hardaway, Dennis Scott, Brian Shaw, and Horace Grant, in addition to the sheer dominance of O’Neal, than it did with Nick Anderson’s ability. In fact, his play continued to improve.
It is easy to focus on the missed free throws in the 1995 NBA Finals. For me to trivialize them would be unfair. But they are worth pointing out not because they cost us a title – they didn’t, it only would have kept us from being swept – but because those missed free throws had an impact on Anderson as a player. Two season’s later, Anderson’s free throw percentage tumbled nearly 30 percent off of his career average, and he was not as aggressive on offense as he had been. He drove less because he was afraid of going to the line. Although he emerged from this funk during his final two seasons with the Magic, it still seems to be the primary association that NBA fans outside of Orlando have with Anderson, and this is also unfair.
Local perception seems to be a completely different story. There is no mistaking the relationship that Nick Anderson has with Magic fans. For every fan who might discount Nick, there are 10 others who love him (yes, I did the math!). He is made for his current role as community ambassador. Sure, he has aspirations for something beyond this, either with the Magic or another team, but I can’t imagine him doing another job any better than he does his current one. Nick loves interacting with the fans, telling the old stories, or new ones, and flashing that engaging smile of his. When Magic fans think of smiles, they think of O’Neal or Howard, but take another look at Nick’s pearly whites, he can compete! Every time Nick hears from a fan how important or loved he is, he acts as if he is hearing it for the first time and expresses to that fan his appeciation and gratitude.
Nick Anderson leads the Magic in number of seasons played (10), number of games played (692), total field goals (4075), total field goal attempts (8976), steals (1004), and points (10,650). He also is the architect of the single greatest, most memorable play in Magic history: The Steal. (Hey, those of you who prefer the Dunk over Duncan, I feel you.).
Beyond the statistics and memorable plays is this single most important point I want to make: Nick Anderson always wanted to stay with the Magic. Orlando became his home and he has been an Orlando resident for 20 years now which puts him among the longest tenured residents in this transient city. He signed new contracts with the Magic, having no intention of leaving this team. He wanted to retire a member of the Magic. Even when he was traded by the team, he did not engage in the vitriolic rhetoric that other former players did. When his playing days were over, he came back and made his peace with the team – or perhaps they made their peace with him. Regardless, the Orlando Magic and Nick Anderson remain synonymous in my mind.
So, who decides what qualifies someone for being worthy of having their jersey retired? Do they have to have won a title with the team? Of course not! Plenty of players who didn’t win titles with their teams, including all-time greats, have their jerseys hanging in rafters (one of them coaches for us!). Do they have to have been among the absolute best in the game at the time, or an all-time great? Well, no, they don’t. The jerseys of Brad Davis and Rolando Blackman are hanging in Dallas. Calvin Murphy’s hangs in Houston. Dan Majerle’s hangs in Phoenix. Jeff Hornacek’s hangs in Utah. These are just the most obvious ones. So, if you feel that a player has to be Titan among giants to be worthy, or has to win a title to be worthy, then you will likely disagree with me. But I would argue that a team needs only its own counsel to make this decision, and if a player represents the franchise well, on and off the court, has the team career statistics, and has the love and support of the fans, then he holds all the merits he needs to have his number hanging.
I don’t know what the Orlando Magic intend for Nick’s or any other Magic player’s number. At this point, they have yet to reveal if they plan to retire Anderson’s jersey. If they don’t plan to do it, then that is fine, I am sure they have good reasons. But if they do plan to do it, then I would not be at all surprised to see them do it as part of what will surely be extravagant celebrations of the opening of the new events center.
Of course, if they really want to do it right, then they would have Nick’s jersey retirement ceremony be one of the final events to take place in the O-Rena. After all, it would be fitting to have #25 hang from the rafters of the building where Nick did all his work, even if only for one night.
But if that never happens, hey that’s alright…his #25 is still hanging up in my closest, where it will remain, and his plays will always be part of my memories. And to this fan, that is all that matters.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, March 23, 2009, 2:36PM
I Came, I Saw, I Got the 'Warlock' T-shirt!
The best thing about the Magic Message Boards at Orlandomagic.com is being able to interact with fellow Magic fans and discuss our favorite team and players through the good times and the bad. The next best thing is being able to actually meet these people in person and establish friendships that go beyond rooting for the same NBA basketball team.
Such has been the case for many members of these boards since they were established over three years ago. Since that time, many of us have met other board members, either at games, or at school, or some other activity or function. So far, it appears that most of us are relatively normal people with jobs, families, and other daily responsibilities. It turns out that our affinity for the boys in blue is just one of the things we have in common.
While I can’t speak for everyone on the boards (I’m sure we all have our stories to share), I would like to tell you a little bit about a gathering of folks that I have met on the boards. We made plans to attend a game together and do a bit of tailgating beforehand. We selected the March 21st game against the New York Knicks because we were able to get a large group of tickets in the same section for that game. During the days leading up to the game we got the brilliant idea of creating a t-shirt to mark (or is that merk?) the occasion. Well, because all of us at the Magic Message Boards are responsible for the creation of one of the best and most unintentional nicknames ever, we figured we just had to create a “Warlock” t-shirt!
Despite very little planning or organization, we somehow all managed to make it to the surface parking lot on the North side of the Arena by around 5 PM. Tailgating for a Magic game seems to have not totally caught on yet. But that’s OK. We had a great time doing it for the Raptors first round playoff series last season, so we knew we’d be doing it again.
We had a large canopy tent set up, but within a half hour we had taken it down because of how windy it was. But we had a grill frying up some “Bubba Burgers,” some beer brats, some sausage, various bags of chips, and some delicious vegetables marinated in butter. Oh and yes, there was some adult beverages being consumed (it IS tailgating after all!). In addition to the requisite “energy drink + alcohol of choice” concoction, we also had some home brew affectionately labeled “The Warlock.” There was the “hi-test” variety (full of additional fermentable materials) and the “red” variety. Both varieties included bits or real bear (so you know it’s good!).
Shortly after we all had gathered, the box of absolutely awesome Warlock t-shirts was opened and we all put them on. This made our group of 20 or so people even easier to spot. We received some attention from a woman with a camera asking us if we wanted some photos taken for “the website.” We never did find out what website she was talking about. We also received some attention from a lady passing out small sample bags of dog treats. Perhaps it was the Warlock brew, or maybe the Amp and vodka, or maybe just the euphoria of being surrounded by his fellow MMB members, but one of us in the group decided to do something unexpected. Right in front of the lady handing out the samples, he opened up the bag and proceeded to eat the dog treats. The lady quickly turned and walked away. But hey, they have nutrients, fiber...I mean, what’s not to love? Still we needled the guy about it for the rest of the night.
We made sure to good naturedly heckle some Knicks fans as they walked by. The only Knick fan we need to give props to is the guy who was wearing the LeBron James Knicks jersey. Most might think him a dreamer, but I’d call him a realist.
The Magic’s very own Dan Savage made an appearance to document the occasion on film. We all gathered for a photo in front of the large Howard jersey blow-up thingy (the technical term) that was on the North lawn. Dan also took the time to meet and greet all the Magic Message Board members present.
The two hours of tailgating seemed to go by so fast. Pretty soon we were all heading in to the O-Rena. We were all wearing our “Warlock” t-shirts which continued to get tons of attention. Many of us were stopped and asked about the shirts. Some wanted to read the back of the shirt (it included the Polish-to-English translation that started the Warlock nickname, complete with Marc Acres 3:16’s famous line: “He’s training with freakin bears!”). It is somewhat sad to consider that there is a reasonable chance that this could be Marcin Gortat’s last season with the Magic. Even if this is his – and our – last hurrah, he will always be “The Warlock” to us. And those t-shirts will become collector’s items! For anyone curious, yes, there is talk of trying to get one of these shirts into Gortat’s hands.
We all had tickets in Sections 225 and 226. Because there were some empty seats in Section 225, most of us were able to actually sit together. We must have made quite the sight for those around us. We even had a couple of signs made that read “The Warlock” and also promoted the Magic-related blog site “The Puns Are Starting To Bore Me,” a site created by some of those in the group. Whenever Gortat was in the game or made a play, we stood up and screamed “the WARLOCK!” and made sure those around us saw the shirts. Thankfully, the less-exuberant Magic fans around us were extremely patient and tolerant of us. We’ve heard accounts from other Magic fans in attendance that night that we could be heard from down in the lower bowl.
Oh yeah, and the Magic won the game, partly due to the return of Rashard Lewis!
Such a good time was had by all that we have decided to attempt to get together again in the near future. If not for a game, then for some other kind of activity. One thing for certain, we will definitely be doing this again for the playoffs. I would strongly encourage any of you guys who’d like to have a good time and meet some fellow Magic fans before the games to stop on by and say hello on your way into the arena.
Please note: I have only told part of the story. I have left out the screen names of those that attended only because I want them to come in here and identify themselves and tell their own favorite anecdotes from that evening. It was truly a fun, shared experience, and I’d like that sharing to continue right in this space. Also, the more folks that participate, the more likely we are to have even more folks show up next time!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, March 20, 2009, 1:42PM
Prediction: '10 and 4' Finish
It says right here that the Magic will finish with 10 victories and 4 losses in their final 14 games and achieve 60 victories for the second time in franchise history. Keep reading if you’d like a sneak peek at how the season will finish game by game. Look at it as me providing a service...now you don’t have to watch the games or worry about the outcomes! Feel free to make more productive use of the 40 or so hours I’ve just given you.
Of course, if you insist on watching the games like a good Magic fan and don’t want the outcome spoiled, then stop reading right now.
I welcome you to stop back by as the season winds down to express your awe at my prognostication prowess. You can also take shots at me if I get one wrong (but don't worry, I won't!).
Sat March 21 vs New York Knicks
Despite Spontaneous Krypto-Nate Robinson’s best frenetic efforts, the Magic men win this one going away, thanks in part to a strong, loud contingent of Magic Message Board members in attendance up in Section 225! – Magic WIN
Mon March 23 @ New York Knicks
Same, uh...Stuff, different day. Dwight Howard eats up the MSG atmosphere, and also eats up the Knicks bigs for his eighth 20-20 of the season. Magic WIN
Wed March 25 vs Boston Celtics
The national television audience on ESPN is treated to a monster of a game at the O-Rena. Unfortunately for the Magic, the Celtics get a big emotional boost from the return of Kevin Garnett. Magic Land goes nuts and starts hiding the sharp instruments. – Magic LOSE
Fri March 27 vs Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are the victim of the schedule and the result of the Magic’s previous game. If you thought the matchup earlier this week against the Bucks was lopsided…watch out! Magic WIN
Mon March 30 @ Miami Heat
Storylines abound as the Magic head down South for the final matchup with in-state rival Miami. Dwyane Wade once again goes off against the Magic, but this time he actually gets the “W” along with the wicked stat line. Magic LOSE
Wed April 01 vs Toronto Raptors
In this “Hey Dwight, Wouldn’t I Look Good Playing Alongside You” match-up, Chris Bosh does his best to audition for a team he’d love to play for, but has little chance of actually do so. Bosh nearly outscores the rest of his teammates combined, which doesn’t work unless your Dwyane Wade. Jeremy Richardson plays 8 minutes…’nuff said. Magic WIN
Fri April 03 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In their biggest regular season game in the month of April, the Magic put together one of their best games of the entire season before an electric crowd at Amway Arena. LeBron James has a big night for the national television audience on ESPN, but the Magic make a statement that they can protect the homecourt against the Cavs. Magic Land is delirious, ...human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria! Well, ok, maybe not human sacrifice. Magic WIN
Sat April 04 @ Atlanta Hawks
Hey, remember these guys? They were a team that we were supposed to have a problem playing against. Despite the Hawks locking up the 4th seed and finishing strong to end the season, the Magic make it clear that the Southwest Division is theirs for now and many seasons to come. Howard once again dominates in his hometown. Magic WIN
Tue April 07 @ Houston Rockets
This game is the Magic’s last big test against an elite playoff team. Despite a big night for Dwight against Yao Ming, and a valiant return for Rafer Alston, the Magic come up short in this close down-to-the-wire game. But hey, at least T-Mac didn’t beat us. Magic LOSE
Wed April 08 vs Memphis Grizzlies
Once again, the Magic respond strongly after a tough loss on a back-to-back. The Magic’s leading scorer in this game is a non-starter. This should pretty much tell you how this one goes. Magic WIN
Fri April 10 vs New York Knicks
This game is the last nationally televised game (ESPN2) for the Magic during the regular season and they make it an exciting one. This is not a good thing for the Magic men as they allow the Knicks to stay too close for too long. Free throws ice it in the end. Magic WIN
Sat April 11 @ New Jersey Nets
The Magic hold on against a hungry team fighting for a playoff spot. Despite supreme efforts from Devin Harris and Vince Carter, the Magic once again prove to be the masters of the back-to-back Magic WIN
Mon April 13 @ Milwaukee Bucks
The Magic are super-focused in this game. The starters come out with a bang, putting up a twenty point lead before the half. With the victory decided, the Magic bench yuck it up during the second half, savoring win #60. Magic Land floods the interwebs, telling anyone who will listen that this is the greatest Magic team ever, and they just might be right. Magic WIN
Wed April 15 vs Charlotte Bobcats
You knew it was coming...I mean, come ON, you had to know this was coming! The Magic are caught off guard during the last game of the season and lose at home to the Charlotte Bobcats. You might blame it on the hangover of the euphoria of win #60, but I blame it on the determination of a much-improved Bobcats squad who clinches a playoff spot with this win. In case your curious, Howard still absolutely schools Okafor in their matchup. Magic LOSE
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, March 13, 2009, 9:07AM
Gortat's Favorite Nickname
First off, I feel the need to be up front and honest with you guys. Marcin "The Warlock" Gortat may not be aware of just how great his legend is with us Magic Message Board members. At least, not as much as we might have hoped.
You may recall that our very own Marc Acres 3:16 had lunch with Gortat at a season ticket holder event about a year and a half ago and took the opportunity to explain the origin of the Warlock nickname to him in person. According to Acres, Gortat was extremely excited by the nickname and even told other Magic players about it. But it is quite possible that since that time, Gortat has missed out on just how much of a phenomenon that he and his nickname have become on our boards. In fact, I've even heard that someone named a home brew after him! That must be one ferocious beer!
After Gortat's comeback performance in last night's victory over the Chicago Bulls, I asked for a moment of Gortat's time so that I could discuss his ever increasing legendary status with him.
LOD: “You obviously took the Pistons loss hard. Coach said in his post-game press conference that what he told you was that you played a bad 7 minutes (against the Pistons), not necessarily a bad game. Did that make you feel better and did it help you tonight?”
Gortat: “Definitely, I mean, the message from Coach was straight, and I am happy to get this message from him and that gave me a lot of confidence before the game. Obviously, I...I kind of disappointed my coach, you know, with my last 7 minutes of the game in Detroit. I tried to pay him back today and obviously I’m going to try to pay him back the rest of the season.”
LOD: “Are you aware that the fans on the Magic Message Boards have nicknamed you “The Warlock.?
Gortat: “Ah...nicknames, you gotta talk to this guy right here (points to Dwight Howard at the next locker).
Howard: “What is it (the nickname)?”
LOD: “On the Magic Message Boards, the actual message boards for the team at orlandomagic.com, the fans on the site have nicknamed Marcin ‘The Warlock.’”
Gortat: “That’s probably the oldest one. Right now the popular one is ‘Polish Prince’ and you’ve got ‘Polish Hammer’...I could name you a dozen at least.”
LOD: “Do you have a favorite?”
Gortat (without any hesitation): “Polish Machine.”
LOD: “Polish Machine?”
Gortat: “My nickname from as soon as I played basketball.”
[I then proceeded to give him the 30 second synopsis of how the "Warlock" nickname came about and explained to him that he has become a legend with the Magic fans on the Orlandomagic.com message boards. I explained that he has quite a following among the fans, that we are all excited to see him playing more, and that if he every gets a chance, he should check out the boards so that he can see for himself.]
Gortat: “I appreciate that, I’ll try to check it out.”
So, we now know that Gortat's favorite nickname is the "Polish Machine." Obviously I still prefer "The Warlock," but if a different one had to be used, I'd prefer the "Polish Hammer." But the "Polish Machine," seems to have some sentimental value to him, perhaps it was the nickname given to him by his countrymen, versus all these others that have been given to him since he came to the NBA.
Still, to us board members, he will always be the Warlock. And you never know, he might come around to liking the Warlock better than the others. Here's hoping he has many seasons in a Magic uniform to get used to the idea!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, March 10, 2009, 1:14PM
The Agony and the Ecstasy...but mainly, the Agony
March 8th
Sunday afternoon: I soak up the warm fuzzies from a way-too-close win over the Celtics. But its in Boston, against the champs, and we don’t lose our cool late when Ray Allen decides to make like Dwyane Wade (complete with multiple, uncalled push-offs of his defender). Most importantly, it is a confidence booster to win a close game in a hostile environment.
Sunday evening: I’m on the interwebs, reading how no one gives us any credit for beating the Celtics. It’s all about how Rondo was out and how Garnett was out. So what? Should Magic fans be any less excited about the win? Fine, give the game an asterisk if you gotta, but that doesn’t take away the pleasure of the victory in my mind. The remaining Celtics players sure didn’t roll over did they?
Sunday late-evening: I’m watching the victory over the Celtics again, this time focusing on the pairing of Dwight Howard and Marcin Gortat. I’m pleased! I’m seeing Gortat moving away from the paint when the ball is thrown in to Howard in the post. The spacing that Dwight needs is still there. The spacing is the key and Gortat was effective. Although his numbers weren’t gaudy (6 pts., 5 rbs, 2 blks.), his point differential was +13 (and no, I don’t really know for certain if that statistic means squat!). I’m finding myself really really excited about the Pistons game the next night, especially if the Howard/Gortat experiment can be duplicated! I begin to realize that I'm asking for it.
Sunday later-late evening: My old neighbor Skip calls me and says he’s been on the interwebs and wants to offer condolences on the Magic’s loss to the Celtics.
March 9th
Monday early-afternoon: I’m sitting at work, reading the Magic Message Boards and I start thinking about the Pistons matchup. I’m no longer excited, in fact, I’m very very nervous. Then my inner fan says to me, it has to happen sometime, right? I mean, hey, they just beat the Celtics! Whaddaya mean they didn’t have Rondo and KG? Did you SEE how many push-offs Ray Allen got away with?
Monday early-evening: I sit down to a lovely meal of tacos prepared to perfection by Mrs. LOD. I can’t taste the meat or even the hot taco sauce. My mind is somewhere near Auburn Hills and I don’t even here Mrs. LOD talking to me. As I turn to her to apologize for not listening, she says, “You were thinking about the Pistons game, weren’t you?” Spontaneous Nate Robinson, I love this woman!
Monday evening, 7:30 PM: I sit down to a live Magic game (no buffer on the DVR!). My stomach is in knots. I ponder for one quick moment whether I am letting this game and this team affect me just a bit too much. It’s a very quick moment. Within the first few minutes, the Pistons grab at least four offensive rebounds. I turn to Mrs. LOD and ask her if the air is on, it seems awfully hot in here. She comments that I went through a whole bottle of taco sauce.
Monday evening, 2nd quarter: I watch in shock as the Magic maintain a lead by making 8 straight free throws (three different players), and 12 total free throws in the quarter. I sense the first stirrings of hope that we have a shot, then I realize its just my bladder giving me the signal.
Monday evening, Halftime: I call up Marc Acres 3:16 to get a reality check and he doesn’t disappoint. He says he’s just waiting for the Pistons to do what they always do. For the uninitiated: this includes grabbing every offensive rebound, getting away with pushes, shoves, and hacks on defense, and basically making every timely play possible. Acres excuses himself so he can decide which of his dogs he’s gonna kick.
Monday evening, 4th quarter: It’s tied with 2 minutes and change left. I’m a nervous wreck. I’m pacing the living room, the hallway, the bedroom. I can’t sit still. I’m freaking Mrs. LOD out. No ‘Sheed, no Turk, what the hell! I HATE these kind of games! Or is it despise? Loathe? I can never remember. I attempt to fast-forward to the end but remember that I’m watching it live with out my cherished DVR buffer (I can only take so many Subway commercials). I start humming “Don’t Stop Believin” thinking maybe that will help...
Monday evening, 10:30 PM: ...but it doesn’t. It happens again. I have to just laugh, but laughing doesn’t cut it. I ask myself if I’m a masochist or not. I must be, because I decide to get on the Magic Message Boards. Sure enough, there are those wonderful Pistons fans showing up on the boards. Some are nice, most are not. Plenty of frustration to go around. I listen to Stan’s press conference and actually hear him say that Tony Battie could have been the difference in this game. I’m thinking to myself that Tony Battie could not have stopped McDyess. He certainly couldn’t not have stopped Rip from making all those jump shots. Maybe he could have kept Kwame Brown from getting 10 points.
March 10th
Tuesday morning, 9:30 AM: I get on the boards to see yet another posting from Mike Bianchi. Still feeling some residual masochism, I click the link and read it. I find myself sorta agreeing with the sentiment.
Tuesday morning, 9:32 AM: World ends; Pistons problem over.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, March 4, 2009, 10:32AM
Otis On A Howard/Gortat Pairing
Last week I received a request from Magic Message Board member “Killing In The Name Of:”
quote:
“LoDM...I know I've requested this before, but if you have an opportunity to ask Otis & SVG if they envision Gortat & Dwight playing together I would be very interested in their response.”
I attended the Orlando Magic vs. Phoenix Suns game last night and in the tunnel just after the horn sounded, I asked Magic GM Otis Smith for a moment of his time to address this question. The way I worded it to him was under the scenario that Marcin Gortat remained with the team beyond this year. I asked him if he felt that playing Dwight Howard and Marcin Gortat together for stretches of time might be the answer to countering physical teams (re: the Pistons!) that are able to effectively take us away from our usual style of play. His response was humorous and most likely tongue in cheek:
Otis: “So we can play two big stiffs on the court instead of one? That’s not how we play is it? How do we play?”
Live or Die Magic: “3 ball...inside out.”
Otis: [Nodding his head with a smile, his arms out to the side as he backed away down the O-Rena tunnel] “See, you answered your own question!”
As we’ve all learned, Otis plays it close to the vest. He was in a good mood after a good win and perhaps was just being playful. Perhaps he didn’t realize just who he was talking to, the man who sang his praises in this brilliant write up! But if you choose to take the comment at face value, and add it to an earlier quote from his “State of the Magic” address to season ticket holders in which he implied that any big man playing with Dwight would have to provide spacing to allow him room inside, then it is fair to assume that our current configuration of Dwight + four wing players will remain the norm so long as our current core players remain with the team.
Of course, the question remains, what happens when a team like the Pistons completely locks us down inside? If our inside-out game is nuetralized, isn’t countering with more inside muscle the only move to make? Although it would mean removing a essential player (take your pick from Hedo, Rashard, and Lee) from the court for stretches, I’d rather see that than see Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess completely frustrate Dwight during a seven game series.
Still, I am continually pleased by Otis Smith’s commitment to this current team. I think he genuinely wants to keep players like Marcin Gortat and Hedo Turkoglu here for the long term. Since so many of his moves have proven to be good ones, I am going to take his word that our style of play is good enough to overcome any matchup problems in the playoffs.
But just to be safe, let’s all hope and pray that the Pistons miss the playoffs entirely!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, February 24, 2009, 11:49PM
In Otis We Trust
Over two years ago, I placed a sticker on the back window of my truck that reads “In Otis We Trust.” I received this sticker from fellow Magic Message Board member Davcivic and I have displayed it proudly since that time. Despite one or two moves that made me raise my eyebrows during that time, I have never once considered taking it off my truck and I’ve never once felt that the statement no longer applied to me.
This past Thursday, that sentiment was reinforced exponentially when Otis Smith traded for Rafer Alston. The move signified that any vestiges of a “building for the future” mindset are now gone. By trading Brian Cook, Adonal Foyle, Mike Wilks and this year’s 2009 draft pick for Rafer Alston, Otis Smith demonstrated that he feels this team should be competing for a championship this year, not just next year, or theyear after that, or the year after that.
Raise your hand if you assumed that after Jameer Nelson’s injury, the Magic’s season was in the toilet. Judging by the doom and gloom reactions on the boards, there should be plenty of hands raised. I stated in this very space that my optimism was still high for the remaining Magic players to compensate for Nelson’s loss and give us a successful season. However, even I must admit that watching the way we played in losses to Denver and New Orleans, and in an overtime win versus Charlotte, made me wonder where the crisp ball movement and huge first half leads had gone. The loss of Nelson seemed to have affected the entire roster. Rashard Lewis hit a slump, Hedo Turkoglu seemed to press his game to point of looking desperate on the court, and Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue played like what they are, back up point guards.
The addition of Rafer Alston has invigorated the Magic, as evidenced by the small sample of wins over Charlotte and Miami. Rashard Lewis is once again on fire. Hedo Turkoglu is filling up the stat line, and as for Dwight Howard, well, he never really went away did he! We still need to show our stuff against the contenders ahead of us, but the Magic energy from the first half of the season is definitely back.
Otis Smith was able to accomplish this shot of adrenaline without having to sacrifice any members of our rotation. For most of the last year or so, we have discussed players such as Brian Cook and Keith Bogans as pieces to use to get a big man, or to get another back up point guard. These discussions – many of which totally consumed the Magic Message Boards – took for granted that any moves involving these players would not be made with injuries as a factor. But the hard facts of NBA life hit the Magic and their fans square in the right shoulder. Bogans, Cook, Foyle, and Wilks became pennies that Otis Smith had saved for a rainy day. We didn’t expect to have to use these players as assets to replace an injured starter, but we also didn’t expect to have a championship contending team this season. But here we are, and we have Otis Smith to thank for it.
Even though Otis had front office experience with the Golden State Warriors, and has held multiple titles here with the Magic, he seems to be learning on the go. I mean this as a compliment. He has grown into this role and become more aware of what it takes to do the job successfully. Each set back he has had led directly to a positive outcome from a future transaction. For instance, instead of sitting back and being satisfied with the Bogans-for-Lue trade, he saw that he could still do better and went out and got Alston.
He has even acknowledge and moved on from his most glaring error in his time with the Magic. At the “State of the Magic” Q&A session he had on Sunday with Magic season ticket holders, he acknowledged that he isn’t holding his breath waiting for Mrs. Vasquez to come over and play for us.
Otis has shown the ability to patiently wait for his moves to show themselves as successes. He pushed for the acquisition of Jameer Nelson on draft night 2004, then several years later signed him to what was considered at the time to be too big a contract. Nelson’s play last season didn’t improve to a level the fans expected and he seemed distracted by having to split time at the position. But perhaps Otis Smith knew something we didn’t, that he was getting Nelson cheap. Evidence of this fact sure seemed irrefutable this season when Nelson, with the starting point guard position entirely his, was rejuvinated and played like an all-star, helping the team to a fast start and even playing defense!. If Nelson resumes this level of play next season, then we will be getting an all-star point guard at bargain prices. In this economy, that is important.
The dynamic of having Alston and Nelson both healthy at the same time next season may certainly be an interesting one, but that is something to consider for next season. No one will be thinking about that if we are locked in a spectacular Eastern Conference Finals with either the Celtics or the Cavaliers. And that’s the point, Otis is focusing on “now” and worrying about next season once this season is complete. This is something his players, the coaching staff, and us, the fans want to hear. Sure, we’ve got a wide open window with Howard, Lewis, Lee, Nelson, Pietrus, and hopefully, Turk (more on him later), but you can’t assume that a run to the title will be any easier next season than it could be right now.
Otis Smith may be evasive with his comments at times, he may only divulge the bare minimum to answer a question, but he is doing this because that is part of his job. He is playing a communication game with the other NBA general managers and with player agents. So, he has to carefully word everything that he reveals to the public, lest he give away too much. Otis has become quite adept at playing this communication game. Here’s a good for instance…for at least two weeks we were left wondering if Nelson was going to have season ending surgery of not. Early last week, we even heard news that Nelson was feeling good and wanted to rehab. But two days later, Nelson was out of surgery and Alston was heading to Orlando. So, was that just a quick change of heart on Nelson’s part or a carefully crafted ruse to allow Smith a better bargaining position when dealing with other GMs at the trade deadline? We may never know for sure, but I have my suspicions!
Otis’s ability to play the communication game hardly means that he is never candid, but it does mean that as fans, we have to learn to be patient as well. Not always knowing exactly what is going on is a small price to pay for having a GM who is working long and hard to put the best possible Magic team on the floor. A 41-14 record is all the evidence you should need.
As Magic fans, we should be happy we have such a great team of players and a great coaching staff. Both of those are possible because of the efforts of our General Manager. For that, Otis Smith deserves our thanks, and our trust.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, February 10, 2009, 5:42PM
Circle the Wagons
Is the season over? Last week the pavements of central Florida ran red what with all the Magic fans jumping from the ledges. Meanwhile, the actual Magic team kept playing games:
• A home win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
• A road loss to the Indiana Pacers.
• A home win over the New Jersey Nets.
Solid, if not spectacular. But this is where the Orlando Magic stand after losing Jameer Nelson for the near-future, and quite likely, for the season. So, you could argue that we are up and down right now. Unfortunately, as reflected by the attitude of the Magic fans on the Orlando Magic Message Boards, there seems to be a bit more down than up.
This season has seen our expectations picked up, tossed high in the air, and spun around to the ground. In a matter of a couple of months the Magic went from being a team that hoped to advance past the second round to being a title contender and now back to being a team that hopes to advance past the second round. This much change this quick is perhaps too much for the fragile Magic fan’s psyche. After all, we were taking baby steps, not leaps. Two years ago we finally made the playoffs. Last year we made it out of the first round. Season sweeps of title contenders San Antonio and Los Angeles, and a strong first showing against the Cleveland Cavaliers made us start to incredulously wonder if we were on a championship run in Year Five of the Howard era. There was even that brief, bright day when we owned the best record in the entire NBA.
The easy way out is to think that it is all gone now. No more chance for a championship. But for me, nothing has changed. The team’s goals should remain the same even without a vastly improved and confident Jameer Nelson in the lineup. Otis Smith placed photos of the O’Brien trophy all over the Magic locker room. He gave an O’Brien trophy pin to every Magic staffer. This was done in the preseason. This was done before Dwight Howard decided to become the most dominant defensive force in the game. This was done before Rashard Lewis demonstrated his comfort in the Magic lineup and his all-star level confidence. This was done before Stan Van Gundy started outcoaching pretty much ever coach he’s faced. This was before Courtney Lee forgot he was a rookie and made us forget the 2005-to-2007 drafts. And yes, this was before Jameer Nelson proved Otis Smith right and started outperforming his contract.
So, if the goal was a title before we actually had any reason to think it should have been a goal, how can we, in our grief at the loss of Nelson, discard that goal after the first half of the season has gone so far beyond our expectations? As Magic fans, we should be used to some heartache, some frustration, and even a sense of betrayal. All of that emotional turmoil should have steeled us for a “go for broke” mentality this season, with or without Jameer.
We all know that Jameer has a competitive nature. Surely it must be eating him up that he is likely going to miss the season. It is all the more unfortunate that this is occurring so soon after he was announced as an all-star for the first time. Like everyone else within the Magic organization, he has sensed the touch of greatness on this season’s team. Despite the sense of urgency for this season, I can only guess that he and the team are pursuing a more long-term approach to his injury. As fans, can we really argue against this? I know I can’t. Believe me, I would love to see Jameer attempt a short period of rehab and then give it a go sometime in April. But I understand and accept the decision to protect the long-term health of a young player with much promise in seasons to come.
As for the other players in the Magic locker room, they certainly wish Jameer was along for the ride. But that ride is still in progress and even if Nelson isn’t playing, their goals remain the same. Dwight isn’t going to play with any less exuberance and joy just because his buddy isn’t on the court with him. It just isn’t in his nature. With Nelson out, each of Rashard Lewis shots become even more important. Hedo Turkoglu, more than any other player (yes, even more than Anthony Johnson) has more responsibility with Nelson out. Now he must dictate the flow of the offense for longer stretches during the first three quarters and as for the fourth quarter, well, if he was Mr. Fourth Quarter last season…
Anthony Johnson, Courtney Lee, and JJ Redick all will see time at the point guard position. None of them are a replacement for Jameer Nelson but all have the ability to distribute the ball and create their own shots. Courtney Lee’s progress and Redick’s rebirth made Keith Bogans expendable, allowing us to trade for Tyronn Lue.
Speaking of the Lue trade, let’s all agree on the following clarification: Tyronn Lue is not a replacement for Jameer Nelson. Tyronn Lue is a replacement for Anthony Johnson. AJ went from back-up point guard to starting point guard. Tyronn Lue went from third-string point guard to back-up point guard. There is a difference. In fact, between Turk, Lee, and Redick getting minutes at the point, I think Lue should expect quite a few DNP-CDs in his future.
Bogans-for-Lue wasn’t earth shattering or even sexy. But it was solid. My biggest fear was that Otis Smith would make a trade that he wouldn’t have considered prior to Nelson’s injury. I had to laugh at all the speculation of Otis moving Turkoglu in order to replace Jameer. Seriously? Turkoglu is even more important now and it will be his playmaking ability that will be the best possible replacement for what Nelson provided to the team. Bogans was a player that was likely in his last season with the team and he is replaced by a player about which we can say the same. Our roster is not disrupted by a new starting-caliber player who isn’t familiar with our personnel or our system. Most importantly, we did not add salary that would have compromised our cap flexibility beyond this season.
Meanwhile, the team is still playing well. Sure, there will be an adjustment period for a few more games, but this team is still on pace to be a top team in the East. So here it is: if the Magic players are adjusting to the loss of Nelson and continuing on with the season, goals still in sight, shouldn’t we? My excitement isn’t diminished, my hope for the outcome of the season is still strong. Good things may still come from this setback. We still have incredible players and an incredible coach that are going out and laying it down each night for our enjoyment. There will still be playoffs, there will still be an overmatched first round opponent. And yeah, there will still be that 2nd round matchup with a Cleveland, a Boston, an Atlanta, or a Detroit. And Nelson or no Nelson, I can’t wait to see how our Orlando Magic respond to that challenge.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, February 6, 2009, 6:00PM
Top 5 Reasons Hedo Should Be Howard's Dunk Partner
Reason #5: Hedo could finally say he made it to the NBA All-Star Weekend, leading to this exchange between Hedo’s agent and Otis Smith:
Hedo’s agent: "Hey Otis, now that Hedo has made it to all-star weekend, that should be good for another million or two per year, right?"
Otis Smith: "Who is this? Uncle Leo?"
Reason #4: If Howard chooses Hedo, it would mean that the Orlando Magic would be the first team to have 5 players involved in the all-star festivities: Howard, Lewis, Nelson, Hedo, and Hanger-On Extraordinaire Tyronn Lue (the dude is his own entourage!).
Reason #3: Imagine the high comedy of seeing Howard grab the ball out of Nate Robinson’s hands – just before he is about to start his dunk – and then walk over to Hedo so they can do their voodoo routine on the ball before the national television audience. It would get old if he did it every time, so he’d be better off saving it for the final round. I can hear the insane comments from Charles Barkley right now.
Reason #2: If you think the voodoo routine would be high comedy, imagine the fun of watching Hedo celebrate with Dwight after a spectacular dunk. Perhaps they would chest bump, or perhaps Hedo would attempt an awkward dance. Regardless, we all need, yes, need to hear Kenny and Charles’ reactions to anything that Hedo might do! The absolute best would be if we can convince Hedo to wear a towel draped over him for the entire event, so he looked like this:
And finally....
Reason #1: Any questions?
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, January 29, 2009, 3:00PM
Have you thanked Billy Donovan today?
Two Summers ago, I was in a “Big League” haircuts (man, can those cats cut hair!), [insert shameless attempt at sponsorship here] when it was announced that the Orlando Magic had hired Billy Donovan away from Florida. With so much uncertainty for the franchise at that time - could we resign Dwight, would the Arena deal pass - it made sense that the franchise was attempting to make a big splash by hiring the local hero who was coming off back-to-back NCAA championships.
I admit that I was excited, simply because it is easy to assume that success in the college ranks should translate to success in the pros. As excited as I was, I was equally disappointed when only a few days later, Donovan had second thoughts and struggled to extricate himself from his contract with the Magic.
Understandably, the Magic organization was surprised and disappointed. The Magic deliberated before agreeing to allow Donovan to leave. While many of the Gator faithful felt that the Magic should not have attempted to get concessions from Donovan’s camp, it is a testament to the Magic’s forward thinking that they did so. The Magic had represented themselves to the community and to their season-ticket base by hiring Donovan. There was an immediate positive boost of the Magic’s local perception and there was even an immediate, tangible increase in ticket interest. Yet only days later, much of that progress was halted with Donovan’s desire to return to Gainesville. Before the Magic allowed Donovan to depart, they needed assurances from him that he wouldn’t turn around and join the Miami Heat (or another NBA team) the following year. The Magic owed it to themselves and their fans to not just lay down and let Donovan walk. Too often in our history, this has happened. But at least this time, the team had a say in how it happened. Donovan is a young enough, and a gifted enough coach that he might very well wind up in the NBA at some point. But it won’t be in the next three seasons!
But hey, enough about the past…let’s talk about the wonderful repercussions of Donovan’s change of heart! Ironically, after making sure to maintain “rights” of a sort to the coach that just jilted them, the Magic turned their attention to Stan Van Gundy, a coach who was still under contract to the Miami Heat. Heat President Pat Riley had made it clear that he would require compensation from any team that wanted to hire Van Gundy as head coach. At least two teams were very interested in Van Gundy: the Magic and the Kings. Once the Magic agreed to terms with Donovan, the Sacramento Kings and Van Gundy began their dance in earnest. Thankfully, by the time the Magic were back to courting Van Gundy, he had not yet signed a deal with the Kings. Suddenly, Van Gundy was the belle of the ball and had a decision to make! Reports at the time indicated that Van Gundy gave strong consideration to the Kings job. I can only assume that it now ranks high on his list of “roads not taken.”
Stan Van Gundy came into his job as Magic coach as a breath of fresh air. He has instilled discipline and defense without stifling offense or creativity of his players. He recognizes the strengths of his roster and he plays to those strengths while still demanding constant improvement and growth from his players. He has successfully blended youth with experience. He is also extremely candid when discussing his team; comfortable and honest whether discussing a win or loss.
It is impossible for us to know how successful this Magic squad would have been under Billy Donovan’s guidance. Surely, just based on talent alone, we would have been a playoff team. But could we have advanced to the second round? Could we have evolved into the extremely confident and versatile unit that we see now? I have my doubts. Too many excellent college coaches come to the NBA for a big paycheck, only to return to the college ranks a few years later. We might have had to waste a season or two waiting for Donovan to find his way and figure out the many differences in running an NBA team with millionaire players vs. a college team. With Stan Van Gundy, we got a coach who had spent over a decade as an assistant coach and who had unfinished business from his first successful-but-brief stint as an NBA head coach.
As of today, I’d say our timeline has been accelerated. I don’t mind admitting that I never expected us to have the best record in the league half-way through this season (never mind that it only lasted one game!). I never expected us to be contending for the #1 seed in the East this season. I never expected us to be referred to as title contenders so soon. Don’t get me wrong, I knew it was coming, but I thought it was a season or two away. Then again, many fans choose to be guarded in their expectations for fear of disappointment. I’m as guilty as the next fan. I give Stan Van Gundy the credit for having the Magic playing the way they are playing right now. He has installed a system that his players have bought into and are flourishing under. He is the right coach at the right time for this team.
If I’m giving the current Magic coach all that credit, then it seems fitting to give the “almost” coach a hand as well. The success that Magic fans are currently enjoying would not have been possible had Donovan not chosen to go back to Gainesville. So, Billy, please allow me to say “thank you!”
I’ll probably thank him tomorrow too.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, January 24, 2009, 12:27PM
Dwight and I Agree, Too Much Green!
My first thought when I walked into the O-Rena on Thursday night for the
Magic vs. Celtics match-up was "wait, is it St. Patrick's Day already?" The
number of green t-shirts, hats, and jerseys was appalling and they seemed to
stick out even more than the greater number of white and blue apparel being
worn by the Magic faithful.
Things only got worse once the game started, as the Boston fans turned out
to be nearly as loud and boisterous as the Magic fans. It was incredible to
hear the noise and the roar of the crowd every time Boston made a shot or
every time a foul was called on a Boston player. Talking to a fellow Magic
Message Board member who sits in the upper bowl, I found out it was even
worse up there, where the green was even more concentrated.
Now, I know that Orlando is a popular tourist destination, even in this time
of recession, and that there are plenty of folks from New England that would
rather travel down here and deal with our current 30 degree temperature than
the sub-zero temperatures that are typical in that part of the country. I
also know that Orlando is a transient city home to many transplants from the
Northeast. And yes, I will even acknowledge that Boston is the current team
of choice for many an NBA fan that does not hold allegiance to a particular
geographical area. But I still find it incredible how many non-Magic fans
made it into that building last night.
Another person who apparently finds it to be incredible is Magic center
Dwight Howard. After the game he appeared quite frustrated by both the sheer
number of Boston fans in attendance and also by how loud they were. He
wondered aloud if we were in Boston or Orlando?!
On my way home from Amway Arena, I was left with lingering thoughts on how
much it seemed to bother him. Perhaps it was especially surprising
considering that he had only just found out tonight that he broke the record
for NBA All-Star voting, not to mention the fact that the Magic had the best
record in the league going into the game. I would guess that most superstars
would expect to always have the home court on their side. It's one thing to
see a number of LeBron jerseys in the crowd in Philadelphia, Detroit,
Phoenix, or even LA, after all, this is a star-driven league and all teams
must deal with seeing the big star's names on the backs of those attending
their games. But last night, the pro-Celtic crowd had a measurable affect on
the game and on the Magic players.
As a Magic fan, it pained me to see it and it pained me to know that it
bothered our players. Unfortunately, I still remember the sting of losing
Shaquille, and therefore it is scary for me to think that there might be any
reason, no matter how trivial, any of our players would be disgruntled in
their NBA home.
Seeing as how we have a good chance of seeing Boston in the playoffs, I
cringe to think of how loud the Boston fans might be when the game really
does count! So, the solution is to ensure that in a potential playoff
situation, the Magic fans buy up all the playoff tickets quickly. I would
also implore any season ticket holder who has to sell their tickets for
whatever reason to make sure that the tickets are being purchased by a Magic
fan. After all, don't we owe it to our players to make sure they can tell
when they are on the road or at home? If our Magic guys earn home court
advantage, its up to us fans to follow through and give it to them!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, January 13, 2009, 5:37PM
Got Chemistry?
You only need to be a casual Orlando Magic fan to understand why General Manager Otis Smith has stated recently that he doesn’t plan on tinkering with the Magic’s roster before the trading deadline next month. In fact, even a co-worker of mine, who hasn’t watched a Magic game in years, knew that we had a 30-8 record and were playing the Kings tonight. There is a buzz about this team that we haven’t had since the Finals run. And this current Magic roster has more of one particular thing than even that 1995 team had: chemistry.
Things are clicking so well right now for the Magic that if we were to play .500 ball for the rest of the season (22-22), we would still equal last year’s 52-win mark. A few weeks ago, I wrote in this same space that the Magic were on pace to reach 40 wins before 20 losses. Well, we have now reached 30 wins before 10 losses! As I said back then, they don’t give out awards for first half records, so for now, we should just celebrate a level of regular season success that we have never experienced in our 20 seasons.
Otis and the rest of the Magic front office realize that they have finally found a formula that is working. The chemistry that the players and coaching staff have with each other is leading to team and individual success. This success is serving as a catalyst for something that is brand new for our players this season: supreme confidence that they will win the game! This was especially evident in our most recent win over the San Antonio Spurs. Unlike the previous two games against the Hawks, the Magic didn’t rush out to a huge lead. Instead, the point difference between the two teams stayed in single digits, with the Spurs briefly taking leads in the 2nd half. But the Magic never panicked and never strayed from what was working for them. It was actually a sweet revelation for me as a fan when with a few minutes left in the 4th quarter, I knew we were going to win. I knew because it was extremely evident on the faces of the players.
As outside observers, we cannot know for sure how the players feel about each other. We aren’t privy to their private moments, to their dinners out with each other, or to any teammate bonding they do throughout the course of the season. But we do know that three of our four stars – Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, and Hedo Turkoglu – are enjoying their fifth season playing with each other. A key reserve, Tony Battie, has also been with them for five seasons. Key reserves Keith Bogans and JJ Redick have been with the team for at least three years each. These players know each other well as people and as teammates. The chemistry starts with Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. Their amicable personalities, their insistence on a lighthearted locker room, and their inclination toward jokes, pranks, and nicknames, make it impossible for any teammate to not feel welcome, accepted, and part of the unit. There are no concerns with breaking the ice for the new guys here! This explains why veterans like Anthony Johnson and Mickael Pietrus, as well as younger players like Courtney Lee and Marcin Gortat, can fit right in without missing a beat or messing with the dynamic.
Two huge pieces of this chemistry composition are head coach Stan Van Gundy and Rashard Lewis. They are each in their 2nd year with the team and share the distinction of being the elements that seem to have put us over the top. Somehow, Van Gundy has imposed his defensive will on this team while simultaneously allowing the players to play to their strengths on offense (i.e., 3 pointers by the barge load!). More than anything, the key observation here is that Van Gundy has the attention and the respect of his team, to a man. As for Rashard, he is the quiet glue that keeps the whole thing going. I can’t believe I’m writing that about Lewis and not Turkoglu. But it just seems that Lewis is right there for a huge bucket when we need it, or a block when we need it, or a pass when we need it. He is becoming our most consistent player and oh yeah, write this down: no one, no one on this team is playing with as much confidence as Rashard Lewis. Lewis is just as deserving, if not more so, of an all-star invite as Jameer Nelson.
The chemistry is evident on the court every time Turk throws an out-of-nowhere lob to Howard; every time Nelson flicks a quick cross-court pass to Lewis for a three-pointer; and just as importantly, every time the starters yuck it up on the bench in the fourth quarter while enjoying a double-digit lead.
This team is having more fun than they have ever had. In their minds, they must be saying to themselves: “all this hard work is paying off!” And winning makes everything better right? The plane ride home seems shorter, the next day’s practice seems easier, their wives/girlfriends seem prettier, and the OCTB tastes even more tender and juicy (what, fans can’t enjoy the benefits of success too?).
The season isn’t even half over, and it certainly is going to get harder for our guys. Teams will start circling us on the schedule, coming at us hard. Our newfound elite status still needs to be proven this season against Boston, Cleveland, and ugh, Detroit. But for now, Magic fans can forget about wasted draft picks, departed free agents, and bad trades. They can enjoy seeing a confident and tight group of players entering each game – home or away – knowing they are going home happy.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, December 31, 2008, 2:20PM
New Year's Mixed Bag
OK, faithful readers, since I am still a bit bummed that we couldn’t beat the Pistons the other night, I don’t have it in me to dedicate a entire post to the disappointment of that game (even though I’d love to rage at the fact that Rodney Stuckey did a Chauncy Billups impression and we once again allowed an inferior Pistons team to dictate game flow). So, in the interest of starting fresh with the New Year beginning tomorrow, I am going to use this post to “dump” the remaining observations from the first two months of the 2008 season. Enjoy!
Observations about the Magic:
•As much as I am enjoying the Magic’s fast start and the improved play of pretty much everyone on the roster, I still wish the Magic had that one player that was just plain mean. You know, a nasty enforcer type. But not an 11th or 12th man, more like a 7th or 8th man.
•My most favorite move so far this season: that beautiful little spin move that Dwight has developed. Once he perfects it, I’m not sure anyone currently in this league can stop it.
•Second favorite move: Dwight’s 12-15 foot bank shot from the left corner. I’ve always loved the fact that Tim Duncan uses the glass in the way that big men of years past did. If Dwight can hit that consistently, he can start a ring collection.
•I’ve noticed Magic players – and most recently, Keith Bogans – drinking “Red Bull” while on the bench. Makes me miss the days when Darrell Armstrong would mainline Hershey’s Kisses.
•Doug Collins claims that Dwight Howard’s increased weight training has led to his decreased free throw percentage. While I agree with this assessment, I also think that this is only temporary. I keep comparing Howard to Karl Malone, but it has merit: Malone was HUGE! The man had bear arms! But he was able to increase his free throw percentage over time. I think Dwight will as well.
•I am impressed with Mickael Pietrus so far. He seems to be more than we were expecting. However, it seems that he jumps too high and flies too fast sometimes and it could lead to more injuries during his tenure with the Magic. Sometimes it seems like he thinks he is still playing power forward in Don Nelson’s small-ball offense. [Note: I wrote this before his injury! Check me out, being all prescient!]
•Tony Battie’s minutes are down lately, but I still think that his value as a reserve has increased. It’s one thing if Tony Battie is your starting power forward. But Tony Battie as your back up at PF/C, even at 5.7 million, is much more palatable. I think he will be extremely valuable in the playoffs. If the Warlock continues to develop – and we can retain him – then Battie’s expiring salary next season might be an attractive trade asset.
•As Dwight Howard has increased his shot blocking, it has begun to generate as much excitement (as measured by fan reaction) as any of his dunks!
•The game against the Pacers (Nov. 29th) provided us with the first look at a “no PG” backcourt. Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, and JJ Redick were the three players on the court. As you can likely guess, Hedo Turkoglu controlled the ball. It is a nice luxury to have so many players capable of initiating the offense.
•Anecdotal evidence of how quickly Dwight Howard has developed a reputation for shot blocking: during the Pacers game, Rasho Nesterovich, a solid, veteran big man who has played on some highly successful teams, shot an air ball while being guarded by Dwight Howard, despite being less than two feet from the rim. For every block that Dwight Howard makes, is it safe to say he alters at least three others?
•Best part about the Timberwolves vs. Magic matchup is Dwight Howard vs. Al Jefferson. These two players represent the best young interior players in the game right now. For now, Jefferson may have the slight edge in post moves, but Howard has a huge edge in awesome!
•Anyone else notice that pretty much every shot that Hedo Turkoglu takes is a fade away? My personal favorites are the fade away three-pointers when there isn’t a defender within 6 feet of him. But hey, he makes it work for the most part!
•I am thoroughly impressed with the 2008-2009 Orlando Magic Dancers. Extremely good dancing, extremely attractive dancers, and better outfits! Of course, there is still no replacement for Former Magic Dancer April.
Observations about the Magic’s Opponents
•On the Bulls’ backcourt: I’m not sure if the trio will be permitted to develop – given the time it make take for them to become great – but the young Bulls backcourt rotation of Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich, and Ben Gordon could be tremendous. Between the three of them, they have enough offensive, defensive, and playmaking talent to be one of the best backcourts in the East, now that Chauncey Billups was sent West. But it would seem that a combination of a contract logjam, and the Bulls being stuck near .500, will likely lead to at least one of these three being moved.
•Still waiting to have the story corroberated, but there’s a rumor that Baron Davis desperately tried to board the Magic’s team bus when it departed LA after the Magic’s win over the Clippers. Apparently he was finally detained by Staples Center security.
•Speaking of the Clippers are actually a strange team. Injuries aside, it is hard for me to understand how they could be this bad, record-wise. After all, they have some great individual pieces. Baron Davis is a dynamic player who can create for himself and others. Marcus Camby is a strong defensive presence in the paint. Zach Randolph is the offensive opposite of Camby, possessing strong post moves. Chris Kaman possesses elements of both Camby’s and Randolph’s game but also has a toughness and and “edge” about him. And Al Thornton is the young, electric wing player that can provide offense and defense from anywhere on the court. They even seemed to have drafted well with the emerging play of rookie Eric Gordon. Shouldn’t this team be playing better than it is? Mike Dunleavy is a pretty good coach, so it can’t be just that. Yeah, they play in the West, but come on, only 8 victories in the first 30 games? Can we lay all the blame at the feet of Ricky Davis?
•Is it alright for me to pity Mike Miller? He finally gets out of Memphis, only to be sent to a post-KG Timberwolves team!
•During a timeout of the OK City Thunder game, I noticed former Magic assistant coach and current Thunder assistant coach Mark Bryant appear to take gum from his mouth and place it under his chair. Yes, you read that correctly. Due to the camera angle, I was unable to tell for certain where he placed the gum. He could have been placing it in waste receptacle, or even in a piece of scrap paper, but it sure looked like he stuck it under his chair! Of course, considering the fact that Bryant resembles the huge werewolf from the first “Underworld” movie, I doubt anyone is going to call him on it.
•People hate to hear it, but I just can’t help but wonder about the 2005 draft every time I see Danny Granger play. Yeah yeah, I know, by even mentioning it again, I’ve doomed an angel to losing his wings, but seriously…this guy is SO good! Fran, you’re best bet is to just stay where you are. I’m not sure you will ever get a warm reception here.
•Add Jeff Foster to the list of players that any team would welcome. The guy has had an extremely efficient career playing back-up minutes but this season has seen his minutes increase with the departure of Jermaine O’Neal. He even had a stretch of starts earlier in the season. Although he has suffered from back problems that has limited his playing time, he always plays tough when he is in the game. He’s one of those players that always seems to make a timely play – like grabbing a rebound in traffic for a put back. Of course, the main reason I like him is because of his uncanny resemblence to Geoff Tate, the lead singer of Queensryche.
•Earlier in the season, there was a half-time segment on a TNT broadcast in which Kenny Smith listed his NBA “Department of Labor.” He included both Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill. Although being included in this list was intended to be a compliment, I couldn’t help but laugh cynically at the inclusion of two former Magic player who have not been able to lead a team out of the first round of the playoffs.
Magic vs. Spurs (Dec. 18th, 2008)
I know we also beat the Lakers and the Hornets at home after this game. But the Spurs game was special because it was the first one after coming off that great road trip. It was our first opportunity to show the rest of the league that we are legit. And hey, it was against the multi-championship Spurs! So, it gets some special treatment here:
•Big big crowd! Biggest crowd of the season so far. And the crowd was fired up for their Orlando Magic!
•It appeared from the opening quarter that the Magic were pretty fired up themselves!
•Fact: no team in the NBA complains more about foul calls than the San Antonio Spurs, especially Tim Duncan. This is indisputable.
•During a time out, they put the mistletoe camera on a couple in the crowd. After several awkward seconds in which the couple did not kiss, the man clearly could be seen mouthing “She’s my sister! My SIS-TER!” Good times.
•Couldn’t help but notice that when Anthony Johnson came in for Jameer Nelson, the offense got stagnant.
•Marcin Gortat and Courtney Lee were the two of the first three players off the bench for the Magic. It would appear that they are also the first two Magic draft picks that actually seem to be working out since the 2004 draft.
•Speaking of good draft picks, the Spurs continue to strike gold in the lower end of the draft – George Hill being the latest find.
•The Magic led by over 20 points in the third quarter, but a 20 point lead is not safe against a championship team like the Spurs.
•The fourth quarter started with a 13 point lead for the Magic. It was a nervewracking quarter for the fans. The Spurs got as close as 6 points before Jameer Nelson took over and put it away.
Best part about the victory over the Spurs: during that cardiac fourth quarter, the Magic increased their lead during the time that Dwight Howard was off the floor in foul trouble!
Happy New Year Magic Fans!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, December 20, 2008, 12:20PM
For your consideration: Jameer Nelson
After wasting draft picks on “big” point guards such as Jerryl Sasser and Reece Gaines in the early part of the decade, it seemed to be a complete shift of strategy when the Orlando Magic moved up in the first round of the 2004 draft to select a short point guard, albeit one that was the college Player of the Year. In fact, Jameer Nelson often played off the ball at St. Joe’s, leaving Delonte West to handle much of the ball handling duties. The pick looked even more curious when just four days later, the Magic traded for starting point guard Steve Francis.
Nelson spent his early days with the Magic backing up Francis and showing just enough promise that it was easy to let the troublesome Francis go. Of course, at that same time, yet another trade brought to the Magic another would be starter at the point guard spot: Carlos Arroyo. Although technically Jameer Nelson was the starting point guard during Carlos Arroyo’s two-plus seasons with the team, it never really felt like Nelson had a firm grasp on the position. If it seems strange to read that, believe me, it seems strange to write it, especially considering that Nelson signed a 5 year, 33 million dollar contract extension while Arroyo was still on the roster. But Nelson only averaged 28 minutes a game during the season after which he signed that extension. Most starting point guards that sign lucrative extensions play a bit more than that!
But this season, with Carlos Arroyo and Keyon Dooling gone, and a clear-cut back up on the team in Anthony Johnson, Nelson, in year five, finally has a firm grasp on the starting point guard job with the burgeoning Orlando Magic.
Those off season team retreats to his home town near Philadelphia that Nelson orchestrated and paid for no longer seem contrived or hollow. This is a player who now shares senior tenure on the team with Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, and Tony Battie. Considering that any discussion of Hedo Turkoglu’s future with the team falls somewhere between the trade deadline and next offseason, then it is fare to say that the legitimacy of Nelson’s leadership functions on this team cannot be questioned. But we are talking about tenure, contracts, and offseason activities. For the real proof, you only need to look at what Jameer is doing on the court.
Let’s run through the laundry list of Jameer Nelson’s faults, as categorized by us Magic faithful during the last few seasons:
He is too short. Ok, perhaps he is too short, but with his speed and stocky build, he makes up for it in other ways.
He is a “shoot-first” point guard. Yes, Nelson definitely is offensive minded, and will never lead the league in assists. But, when you have a point guard shooting over 50% from the field, able to get his shot off from anywhere on the court, and capable of resembling Allen Iverson for spurts, wouldn’t you want him taking shots when he has them?
He cannot distribute the ball effectively. Even though Nelson may be more in the mold of “shoot first,” this doesn’t mean he can’t pass. In fact, he has had the ball in his hands more this season than in any other and is averaging over 5 assists per game for the second season in a row. Considering the amount of time that Nelson shares the court with Hedo Turkoglu, and the amount of time Turk spends initiating the offense, then it is reasonable to assume that in “what if” scenario in which Turk doesn’t share playmaking duties, at least half of Turk’s 4 assists per game could go to Nelson, pushing Nelson over the 7 assists per game threshold, which is where Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, and Chauncey Billups hang out. It is worth noting that all five of those players also average more minutes per game than Nelson and only Billups averages fewer turnovers.
He is injury-prone. Nelson has missed multiple games in each of his seasons with the Magic, but he has only missed one game so far this season. Considering that some of his missed time has been the result of Dwight Howard blows to the head (do you always hurt the point guard you love?), then I think Nelson deserves a mulligan. Also, I think that this Magic team is deep enough that it isn’t necessary for Nelson to play every single game during the regular season.
His defense is, well, offensive. The bad news is that Jameer Nelson will never be a dominant defensive point guard. The good news is that he doesn’t have to be. All Nelson has to do is make his man work a bit harder to get around him and then play solid team defense. Nelson is averaging a respectable 1.3 steals per game, a career high. He has also developed a knack for a timely double team of the big men being guarded by Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis. Nelson took some heat for not calling out Steve Nash’s screen of Turkoglu that allowed Grant Hill to hit the winning basket last week, but let’s face it, Turkoglu had already allowed Hill to get the advantage on him and it likely wouldn’t have mattered anyway! I prefer to remember the way that Nelson pestered Tony Parker last night in the victory over the Spurs.
Here’s an example of Jameer Nelson’s progression: at the end of the 2nd quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers, he was fouled beyond the three-point line by Willie Green. Nelson quickly launched the ball towards the rim. He was awarded three free throws and subsequently hit all three. Making the three free throws was just bonus. The real treat was observing Nelson make a smart, heady play, instinctively going up for that shot when he saw the contact coming.
So, where am I going with all of this praise for Jameer Nelson? I’d like to present him to the Eastern Conference coaches for their consideration for inclusion in the 2009 All Star game. Think this is a stretch? It’s not. Let’s assume that based on current fan voting results that Allen Iverson and Dwyane Wade are the starters. This means that the coaches will be choosing at least one traditional point guard from the East. I submit that Jameer Nelson, when all factors are considered, has just as much a shot as any other point guard in the East. Let’s take a look at the evidence:
Nelson is averaging 16.3 points per game on 50% shooting from the field, 38% from the line, and a whopping 92% from the free throw line (this last statistic would place him in the top 10 league wide, but he doesn’t have the minimum FT attempts to qualify). He is averaging 1.3 steals and 3.4 rebounds. In addition, he is averaging over 4 points in the fourth quarter (just in case you missed his fourth quarter last night against the Spurs!).
Lately, he has elevated his game even higher. In December, Nelson is averaging 20 points per game on 54% shooting from the field and 54% from the arc! He is averaging over two steals per game and has increased his assists to nearly 6 per game. Nelson is on the rise and doesn’t seem to be peaking yet.
Nelson’s main competition in the East are as follows: Devin Harris of the Nets, Rajon Rondo of the Celtics, Mo Williams of the Cavaliers, Jose Calderon of the Raptors, Andre Miller of the 76ers, Chris Duhon of the Knicks, Derrick Rose of the Bulls, TJ Ford of the Pacers, Mike Bibby of the Hawks, and Raymond Felton of the Bobcats.
First off, let’s remember that the coaches like to reward successful teams even if the players being chosen have statistics that don’t quite compare to players on teams with a lower win total. This explains how the Pistons sent four of their starters to the all star game a couple of seasons ago. So, even though players like Raymond Felton, TJ Ford, Andre Miller, and Derrick Rose have comparable numbers to Nelson, the lack of team success will hurt those players and likely prevent the coaches from voting for them.
The coaches might have a slightly longer pause when considering Jose Calderon and Chris Duhon. Although neither of these players has the win totals or the scoring average that Nelson has, their lofty assists totals (9 per game for Calderon and 8.6 for Duhon) cannot easily be ignored. Still, in the end I think that Nelson would get the nod over either of these players because of the success of the Magic organization in comparison to the disappointment of the Raptors and the constant flux of the Knicks.
So that leaves Devin Harris of the Nets, Mo Williams of the Cavaliers, Rajon Rondo of the Celtics, and Mike Bibby of the Hawks. Bibby’s stats are nearly identical to Nelson’s. Nelson has a slightly higher shooting percentage and a slightly higher assist average (In fact, Bibby’s teammate Joe Johnson, a shooting guard, has better “point guard stats” than Bibby!). With stats being equal, I hope that the coaches would again look to win total as the deciding factor. Devin Harris has certainly made a splash with his scoring binge of late, and he leads Nelson in pretty much every category but shooting percentage. However, this is Harris’s breakout year, and as evidenced by Hedo Turkoglu missing last year, coaches seem to prefer to see if you can do it two years in a row before awarding you an all star nod. While Mo Williams’s stats and team success are certainly comparable to Nelson’s, I think the coaches might notice, like me, that Williams is not even the best point guard on his own team.
This brings us to Rajon Rondo. Of all the players that I’ve mentioned, I believe that Rondo has the best chance of getting the nod over Nelson. Scoring average and three point shooting are the only two major categories in which Nelson enjoys a clear advantage over Rondo. Rondo might also benefit from the historic run that the Celtics are on, which makes even Nelson’s Magic’s lofty 20-6 record pale in comparison. I could easily see Rondo benefitting from a groundswell of support for what the Celtics achieved last season and what they are doing now. Rondo could join the “Big Three” on the East’s roster as a recognition for the Celtics success just as much as for his stats. What might help Nelson is his current streak. If he maintains his current statistical pace from now through the end of January, and that coincides with a continuation of the Magic’s team success, it might be impossible for the East coaches to ignore Nelson’s candidacy.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that if Nelson makes it this season, he would be benefiting from playing in the East instead of the PG-heavy West. Also, even though there are many quality point guards in the East, their statistics seem to be down across the board. But it wouldn’t be fair to hold this against Nelson and if he does make it, I don’t think he will be thinking that he “lucked out.”
I have to admit, as a long-time Scott Skiles fan, it was strange during the first game of the season to see the Magic intro where Scott Skiles is shown giving direction to Jameer Nelson. I thought it seemed too soon to make such a bold comparison between the relative importance of these two point guards to their respective versions of the Orlando Magic. But Nelson has shown that he can be, and perhaps already is, just as important to this current Magic lineup as Scott Skiles was to those early Magic teams.
To conclude, I’d like to state that I am not saying that Nelson should definitely make the all-star team. Too many factors come into play for me to state that it would be a travesty if he doesn’t get selected. But what I hope I’ve shown is that Nelson, when compared to his PG peers in the East, is deserving of inclusion in the all-star game. Based on his play of late, I’d say it is a matter of when, not if, he gets selected.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, December 10, 2008, 12:55PM
40 Before 20?
Phil Jackson, a coach who has always enjoyed the luxury of having a top-5 player on his team, commented that a team shouldn’t be considered “great” unless it reaches 40 victories before reaching 20 losses. While I will grant you a moment to reflect on Jackson’s smugness, I must insist that the statement be given some merit. In fact, I will now claim that our 17-5 Orlando Magic are quite likely on their way to accomplishing this particular standard for “greatness.”
So what will this accomplishment get us? Absolutely nothing. Win totals in the regular season serve one explicit purpose: earning the best possible playoff seed. As it stands now, the best we can hope to earn this season is the 3rd seed, which is the same as last season. With the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers both on historic runs (so far), and with much of the rest of the Eastern Conference hovering closer to .500, it appears that we will get the 3rd seed regardless of whether we have 60 wins or 50 wins. In most seasons, a 17-5 start would be good for the 2nd best record in the conference, at worst, but this season that only gets you 3rd.
Still, “40 before 20” would be a nice milepost on this current Magic team’s journey to a championship. To hit the mark, we would need to go 23-14 over our next 37 games. This is hardly a given as the middle stretch of the season includes multiple match-ups against teams with winning records – something we haven’t had our share of lately. But the last two victories - on the road against the LA Clippers and the Portland Trailblazers – was evidence that this year’s team has finally learned two very simple, yet crucial lessons: beat the teams you are supposed to beat and step up your game when facing top opponents.
The Orlando Magic have been discounted somewhat because of the number of opponents we have beaten with losing records. While I will acknowledge that this makes our record seem less impressive than Boston’s and Cleveland’s, it still is no less important to our team. Other than our second game of the season against the Memphis Grizzlies (early enough to chalk it up to the luck of a Rudy Gay buzzer beater), we have beaten the teams that we are supposed to beat. And since a win against the Clippers counts as much as a win against the Blazers, I don’t see any reason for the Magic to apologize for their schedule so far. Besides, weren’t teams like Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, Toronto, and Indiana supposed to have better records than they do? Do those early victories by the Magic over those teams suddenly get upgraded once those teams’ records reach a more respectable plateau? That doesn’t make any sense, does it?
Sure, some fans may start to question our roster, or at the very least, our playoff prospects, if we end up dropping the upcoming games against teams like San Antonio, the Lakers, the Hornets, and Detroit. But the manner in which we have won games this year – showcasing dramatic improvement across the roster (with few exceptions), more cohesiveness in the starting unit, and timely production from bench players such as Tony Battie, Anthony Johnson, Keith Bogans, and lately, Courtney Lee, and finally, a penchant for big plays -- has this Magic fan thinking that “40 before 20” is nearly a lock.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, November 20, 2008, 12:55PM
SVG, Rockin' The Mic!
I have to say, I have begun to thoroughly enjoy watching Stan Van Gundy give a press conference, especially those that occur after a victory (these have occurred quite frequently of late). Here’s the thing that I notice about his press conferences, and the thing that makes me enjoy them: he genuinely seems to get a thrill out of talking about his team. This is most evident in the fact that most of the beat writers and local media members ask him short, 10-15 word questions, and Van Gundy responds with 300 word answers. I point this out as a positive. It doesn’t take much to get him talking about his team and his players’ performances. He is often candid and has no problem pointing out the positive and the negative attributes of a particular game or a particular player.
Like any NBA coach, he can get frustrated with the process and the responsibility of having to speak with the press, and this is obviously more likely to occur after a loss, but on the whole, Van Gundy is engaging, seldom evasive, and he is patient. The guy seems to really be having fun so far this season. Perhaps this is the crucial difference between his press conferences and the most recent Magic head coach’s press conferences. Brian Hill never seemed to enjoy his press conferences. He only answered the question asked (vs. SVG’s refreshing habit of expounding on a question), and tried to get out of there as quickly as possible. But, in Brian Hill’s defense, he may not have been having as much fun coaching the Magic as Van Gundy seems to be having. The quality of the team’s performances have an impact, for certain, but the coach himself is a large component as well.
An added benefit of Van Gundy enjoying his press conferences is that he is usually in a jovial mood and starts cracking jokes. For all the knocks that Stan Van Gundy took for appearing bored, half-asleep, or catatonic during the introductions of the season opener, the man has a terrific sense of humor.
You know how we like to spend our time talking about sports, basketball, and the Magic, either on these boards or with our friends? Think about how enjoyable it is to discuss a topic for which you have passion with others that share that passion! This begins to describe the impression I get from Van Gundy during these press conferences. I believe that Van Gundy has developed a respect for the level of basketball knowledge that the Magic beat writers have (most of them anyway). So, he seems to genuinely enjoy discussing his favorite basketball team with them.
I do realize that Stan is only a three game losing streak away from not enjoying his press conferences as much. But the fact remains that his candor, his willingness to lightheartedly joke about himself, his players, and the opponent, as well as his comfort level with the team and the media personnel, has led to us fans being able to enjoy and even benefit from our head coach’s time in the spotlight.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, October 31, 2008, 4:03PM
Step Back From the Ledge, Magic Fan
Considering the thickness of the bright, neon colored paint that the Magic fans’ preseason expectations were painted with, I must say I am shocked to see just how quickly it was stripped away.
Good Lord, that was awful! Let me try again...
Our preseason expectations rose so quickly, you’d have thought they were enclosed in a blue and white hot air balloon. But it was all hot air.
Geez...that was even worse. The panicky Magic fan has me thrown off.
Look, the point is, after a productive offseason, a solid training camp, and a successful preseason, the typical Magic fan – as respresented by the members of this board – had good reason to look forward to this season. This season promised to be the most successful since 1996. Bad analogies aside, let me state plainly: it still will be.
A home opener loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night had the Magic fans storming the Magic Message Boards, creating outlandish threads with titles such as “we need a championship caliber team, not a Pietrus team” and “OFFICIAL JJ should be benched thread”. It had me expecting to see one titled “Since the Magic lost on opening night, the terrorists have won.” It appears that one tough loss to a good Hawks team that plays us well (we split the series with the Hawks last year) has caused many Magic fans to give up hope.
But the players themselves aren’t panicking. They are upset with themselves, and they have identified what went wrong. Sure it is unfortunate to lose opening night, but half of the NBA teams lost their first game! This includes other preseason darlings such as Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Antonio, and Dallas. The implications and repercussions from this loss only extend to the next game, which thankfully, comes tonight against Memphis. We cannot allow ourselves to swayed so quickly by one performance.
So, if you are a Magic fan that sees the worst in the fact that Hedo Turkoglu seemed out of sorts in his first game, then you also have to completely disregard the fact that Rashard Lewis, despite only scoring 11 points, played his most aggressive game – on both ends – in his Magic career. If you are going to gnash your teeth about Jameer Nelson’s poor shooting and low assist total, you have to also praise him for actively staying with Mike Bibby all night. If you are upset that Mickael Pietrus, and not Turk or Lewis, scored 20 points, you have to acknowledge that he did exactly what the coaching staff asked him to do. If you are going to comment on Dwight’s sub-500 free throw shooting, then please also mention his 15 rebounds and 5 blocks!
There was good and bad to be had in this game. But had the score been reversed, their would still be good and bad to be had. The difference is, we tend to more easily dismiss the bad when the good guys win. Sure, an ugly win is always better than a pretty loss, but if you cannot appreciate that there are many shared factors that make up a win and a loss, then you might be one of those people that doesn’t realize that the songs “Redneck Girl” by the Bellamy Brothers and “Punk Rock Girl” by the Dead Milkmen are about the same thing.
So, step back from the ledge Magic fan. Prepare yourself for a long season in which we will lose games. But remember, we will be winning games at a significantly higher clip, so don’t stress so much about one loss. This is especially true considering that we have only played one game.
Trick or treat Magic fans! The only thing sweeter than the bite-sized Snickers your eating will be the satisfaction of tonight’s victory over the Grizzlies! Remember, the Warlock trains against bears!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
By Live or Die Magic, October 2, 2008, 6:30PM
Training Camp - Day 3
I took a ride over to RDV this afternoon to drop in on the Magic’s training camp. Media is granted access to the coaches and players after the morning session is complete. On this day, that was around 12:45 or so. But while I was waiting in the media room for the session to open, I was able to spend some time chatting with the other members of the media that were present. It was a small group on this day, just six of us total. But it was nice to be able to talk about many current sports topics such as the MLB playoffs, the fortunes of the UCF football program, Hedo’s contract situation, and even the sheer genius of Travis Henry.
I also made the point of explaining the origin of that god-awful “nickname” for Mickael Pietrus. Thankfully, none of the media members present had used it or attributed it to Pietrus. However, they did get a kick out of the origin story – so, here’s to you “warriorsfan05!”
Unfortunately, when we were allowed into the practice court, the practice session had already ended. However, all the players and coaches were still on the court and individual drills were still ongoing - lots of free-throw shooting as well. Just before the players started leaving the court, Dwight Howard started launching full-court shots across the practice court. Although he got close, I didn’t see him make one.
Coach Stan Van Gundy was available to talk during the time that I was there. Many topics were covered, including the fact that the Magic have to travel from Charlotte to Jacksonville to Atlanta, without coming back home during their fourth, fifth, and sixth preseason games (Oct. 16th – 20th). Below are some of the things that Coach commented on. Please note: I am paraphrasing his comments.
On the Emphasis of the Morning Session:
Coach Van Gundy said that defense was a focus during this morning’s session. He felt that rebounding had been an issue going into today and so he wanted to place an emphasis on it. He feels that the Magic are a good defensive team but that it is just as important for them to be mentally tough defensively as it is to be physically tough. He wants to place importance on the team’s need to be mentally tough.
On Anthony Johnson:
So far in camp, Anthony Johnson has given the Magic exactly what they expected to get.
On Howard’s Long Summer:
Coach has not seen any adverse effects from Dwight Howard’s busy Summer. Commenting that he wasn’t playing extensive minutes with the U.S. Men’s National team anyway.
On Brian Cook:
I asked Coach Van Gundy if Cook's weight loss and improved conditioning had led to better play so far. Turns out, his conditioning hasn’t improved! Coach Van Gundy said that if his conditioning gets better, he’ll play well. Apparently Cook did not spend as much time conditioning as was thought, despite his noticeable weight loss. So for now, Cook is unable to compete well against his teammates. Coach doesn’t think it is a big issue right now, but he clearly seemed disappointed in Cook. I heard later that the coaching staff has been getting Cook on a stationary bike after each session in order to improve his conditioning.
On Jameer Nelson:
Coach said that he is very pleased with Nelson so far and that he has told Nelson that the Magic are a much better team when Nelson is aggressive.
On JJ Redick:
Coach said that the extra muscle and strength that JJ Redick has developed has helped him in camp so far. He also feels that JJ’s additional experience is helping as well. He made a point of explaining that even though JJ doesn’t get much game experience, he still gets experience and more familiarity by practicing with the team and continuing to work on his game.
On Courtney Lee:
Coach has been very pleased with Lee’s development so far. He has displayed the maturity that comes from playing four years of college ball. He has also shown aggressiveness and an understanding of the schemes. However, Coach would like him to find a balance between being aggressive and distributing the ball.
On the Four Shooting Guards:
Ideally, Coach would like to be able to play all four shooting guards – Courtney Lee, Mickael Pietrus, Keith Bogans, and JJ Redick. He said that all four of these players have had a great camp so far. But realistically, he may only be able to get three of these four players into any one game. Matchups, especially on the defensive end, may be the determining factor for which of the four shooting guards see the court.
I most likely won't make it out to another session this week, so this will be my last report from training camp. But stay tuned for the pre-season games starting Monday night!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, September 23, 2008, 6:30PM
New Jersey Unveiling - Recap
I was one of many Magic fans in attendance today at the Cheyenne Saloon on Church Street for the unveiling of the Orlando Magic¹s new home and away jerseys. Amid quite a bit of fanfare (literally), Dwight Howard stepped out from behind a curtain on the Cheyenne Saloon stage and hammed it up for several seconds before finally peeling off his practice warmups to reveal a blue, pinstriped jersey with bold, dark blue vertical bars on the sides. The pinstripes begin vertically from the base of the jersey and then angle towards the shoulders and arms as they move up the jersey, creating a fanning effect, if you will. The neck of the jersey retains the curved ³V² neck from the most recent incarnation.
While I don¹t think anything will ever compare to the original black pinstripe jerseys of the inaugural team (call me sentimental), I definitely think that these new jerseys are the 2nd best we¹ve had so far. From the reaction of the fans in attendance today, I would have to say the jersey unveiling was a success and that fans are pleased with the design.
As previously announced by the team, Magic community ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw were onhand. They worked the crowd before the unveiling, speaking with fans, signing autographs, and posing for photos.
Later, they modeled the versions of Magic jerseys from days long past. Nick modeled the original black pinstripes; while Bo modeled the ³dazzle² design from the late Œ90s. Apparently, Bo is the only player to have worn all three previous versions of Magic jersey. Rashard Lewis was onhand to model the ³stay dry² jersey we have seen the Magic wear during the previous five seasons.
Prior to the unveiling, the four players were gathered behind a curtain on the stage. Suddenly, a deep, booming voice seemingly coming from nowhere and yet everywhere began telling everyone in attendance to be quiet and also asked for the music to be turned down. At first, the general reaction of the crowd was one of confusion and uncertainty. But as the voice continued on, it became clear that it was our resident all-world center-slash-jokester Dwight Howard doing voice impressions. Soon, we were treated to California Governor "Ahnuld" imploring us to ³get down!² and then Michael Jackson invited us to play with his pet monkey at the Neverland ranch.
When it was time for the unveiling, the Magic¹s emcee ³Scotty B² did the honors of introducing each player and then asking each of them questions about their time with the Magic. When he got to Rashard, Scotty asked what the expectations were for next season. Several fans standing near me begin yelling ³to win, to win!² Rashard took it a step further, claiming that the expectation was to win a championship.
Dwight Howard talked about his time with the US Men¹s National Team and winning the gold medal ³for Orlando.² He then went on to say that the next step was winning a different kind of gold! He asked the fans to continue to stay behind the team because ³a new jersey doesn¹t win a championship!² and ³it will take all of us to do it.² The whole time Dwight Howard spoke, he had the whole crowd in his hand. The many staffers stopped what they were doing to listen to him. His eyes were wide and had a hint of mischief, his smile was constant, and his energy was infectious. I took a moment to look over at Bob Vander Wiede, who was sitting just a few feet off stage, and he was beaming the whole time Dwight was working the crowd. Surely Bob knows what a rare treasure he has in Dwight Howard.
Next, Scotty B brought Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer on stage. First, the team presented Dyer with a white home jersey. But Dyer has something of his own to give. After reading off a prepared and very official sounding decree, he presented Dwight Howard with a key to the city of Orlando and also announced that today, September 23rd, 2008, is ³Dwight Howard Day.² Dwight responded with exaggerated shock but was nonetheless extremely pleased at the gesture and couldn¹t stop staring at the key. I¹m not sure he knew what to do with it. He had to be prompted to show it to the crowd. It was refreshing to see a person, who at so young an age, has everything he could desire, still be caught off guard.
The last thing was the jersey drawing. It turns out that the fan that won the new jersey was standing directly in front of me. He freaked out when his name was called and bounded up on the stage and shook hands or slapped five with everyone on stage Nick, Bo, Rashard, Buddy, Dwight, Scotty B, and unnamed Magic dancer, and even Stuff. Oh, and then the excited fan proceeded to push Stuff off the stage!
The whole thing lasted less that 20 minutes but it was worthwhile. The venue seemed cramped with the amount of people in attendance (I¹d guess between 200 and 250 people), but everyone seemed to have a good vantage point. The media contingent was on the smaller side (compared to the games). I saw and spoke with John Denton (Florida Today), Jarrod Rudolph (previously of Hoopsworld but now RealGM), and Kyle Hightower (Orlando Sentinel). Several of the local news crews were there as well.
There were plenty of Magic employees onhand, including all the execs Bob Vander Weide, Alex Martins, Pat Williams, and Joel Glass. I got to greet George Galante, but I did not see Dante. Noticeably missing was Coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith. I¹m assuming they are both back at RDV getting ready for training camp next week.
The Cheyenne Saloon staff was extremely attentive to the fans in attendance.
There was plenty of bottled water and soda on hand and the free food consisted of deli wraps, veggies and dip, salad, and cookies. Two Magic dancers were signing autographs and posing for photos, and the Magic had set up several tables selling merchandise and of course, the new jerseys! I was even able to get my parking validated on my way out.
All-in-all, I¹d say that attending the Magic¹s jersey unveiling party was one of the best uses of my lunch hour in quite some time!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, June 3, 2008, 10:08AM
Three Week's Withdrawal
Denial is a powerful mental construct. If we allow ourselves to embrace it, we can easily forget difficulties in our lives, or forget grievances we’ve either given or received. In the case of a sports fan, it is the one and only sanctuary available once your favorite team has lost that last game and bid farewell until another season.
I’ll have you know that I am very accomplished at embracing denial. I only just found out yesterday that the Magic aren’t in the Finals. When they announced that Otis Smith had received a contract extension but made no mention of the preparations for the next game, it got me a little curious!
I’m sure many of my fellow Magic fans took a more proactive approach to dealing with our loss to the Pistons. In fact, I’ve been asked multiple times why I haven’t been posting blog updates, to which I gave rather testy responses. It is nice to see other Magic fans moving on...as evidenced on the boards, most of you have now moved on to discussing who we can get with the 22nd pick in this month’s draft. Depending on your feelings about the Magic’s draft history, we either can’t win or can’t lose with this pick. But, as bad as we do with non-lottery picks, just remember, we could be the Bulls and have a history of blowing top-5 picks. Yep, I think the Bulls are going to blow it again too.
But speaking of moving on...everyone’s favorite Magic Message Board blogger has actually been a little bit more passive in my recovery from this year’s ouster. I have tried to find other non-NBA things to occupy my time. I recently remembered that I have a family...their company sufficiently occupied my time for at least a week. Then I tried underwater basket weaving. It is much harder than they tell you. I also briefly tried to watch a Tampa Bay Rays game, but it only served to reinforce my complete and total lack of interest in the MLB (the only league more corrupt than the NBA seems to be). So, then I turned to horse racing, only to find out that it’s like two weeks between races and the races only last 2 minutes! Oh, and apparently if you lose, they kill you, right there on the track!! So, I decided to turn away from sports entirely and had a friend let me borrow his X-Files DVDs. This was not the move to make! Now I see conspiracies everywhere! I swear that all my neighbors are letting their dogs use my front lawn as their toilet. And it has only served to reinforce my feeling that the NBA did everything they could to get a Lakers/Celtics matchup. So, as a last resort, I found one thing to occupy my time...it was a novel thing actually, I believe some people refer to it as “work” but I’m not sure.
As for the series itself, it wasn’t so much the losing, it was the way we lost. The series was just full of “coulda, shoulda, woulda’s” – too many to deal with at once. If we had been swept by the Pistons but lost by a point in each game, it would have been frustrating, but at least we would have known that we fought them, hung with them, but just weren’t quite ready. But the games didn’t play like that at all. We were handed a gift opportunity and failed to capitalize. All indications so far this offseason point to a restructuring of this team. So we will never know just how good this current lineup could have been with a little more time together (yes, I know we need an SG and more beef up front!).
So, I suppose it is time to get over myself, throw off my self-pity, and take stock of the successful season my favorite team had. I think there is much to be proud of and yet much still to do in order to take another step next year. But we have the core group of players, the coaching staff, and now, for the near future, the GM committed to winning a title. Now that is an outcome for which there is no denying!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 2:01 PM
Dig A Hole
“Dig a hole.” It started out as a humorous moment in Jameer Nelson’s post-game press conference immediately following the Game 3 victory in Orlando last Wednesday night. Nelson seemed to stumble over his words while trying to state that the Magic didn’t want to dig themselves a hole by going down 3 games to none. When he finally got his words straight and everyone had a good laugh about it, he comically repeated the phrase “dig a hole,” just to prove that he could say it without stumbling.
Of course, the irony is that the Magic did manage to dig themselves a hole on Saturday night with the most bitter loss yet in this extremely bitter series with the Pistons. This time there were no excuses. There was no controversial call. In fact, the Pistons spotted us their best player. It should have been another double-digit victory. Jameer had another solid performance in Game 4, save for one area. He missed four out of six free throws. As I watched him miss those four free throws, especially the one late in the game that could have put us up by two with 44 seconds left, I couldn’t help but picture Nelson wielding a large shovel, making a larger hole with each clank.
Perhaps it was his knowledge that he played a crucial role in the loss that caused Nelson to make a guarantee for victory in Game 5. Personally, I was glad to hear it. He doesn’t cost himself or his team anything if he proves himself right, and any ridicule he receives if the Magic lose will be brief as the media and fans of other teams quickly shift their focus back to other, more compelling playoff matchups.
Nelson may be taking some hits now, but I think all of the pundits are saying what they are saying because they are surprised - much like we are - that the Magic didn't even this series at 2 each. Think about it...Charles Barkley, instead of ripping Nelson, would be saying "the Pistons are in serious trouble" if we had pulled out that Game 4 win.
In a way, we deserve to have the dirt already thrown on our coffin. We had a ready-made setup for a victory. Instead, we allowed the Pistons to dictate the game both offensively and defensively in the 2nd half. And it would appear that when neither team’s best player shows up, the Pistons win.
One thing I have surmised from these four games is that we are a capable team. We have the components in place to be a strong team in the East, one that is capable of advancing deep in the playoffs. Jameer Nelson has had a tremendous playoff run, free throws aside. He may still have some defensive deficiencies, but he has stepped up his consistency and most importantly, he has demonstrated his ability to be the captain and leader of this team on the court. Prior to these playoffs, it just seemed all talk. If he can continue his performance next year and beyond, then Magic fans will be praising his contract, not cursing it.
Rashard Lewis has also stepped up his game, showing he can do more than shoot from the perimeter. Dwight Howard had a monster series against the Raptors and even though he has slowed his pace against the Pistons, it is a testament to two things: the Pistons have the game plan and the personnel to counter him, and let’s face it, he’s 22 and still very much learning on the fly. Hedo Turkoglu is the only one that I just can’t figure out. He finally seemed to come alive near the end of Game 4, so perhaps he just had one of his spells that was the hallmark of his game prior to this season. Maybe Turk is the one that really explodes tonight. This team is full of talent and the future is bright. Another year of seasoning will only result in an increased win total and better awareness of what the playoffs are all about.
But I hate how us fans get too caught up in the “next year will be better” mindset. It is the quicksand trap for all sports fans. As the reality of the current season’s shortcomings sink in, we shift our focus to the promise of the season to come. It is human nature, and certainly it is something that fans of 29 NBA teams have in common each season.
I am very proud of what the Orlando Magic have accomplished this season, but personally, I am not ready for the season to be over. I have had more fun this season than in any since the “Heart and Hustle” year, and I want one more chance to join up with my fellow Magic fans for one more home game. I think we come back and win tonight. Whether it means that we can actually take this series is a limb that seems to creaky for me to step out on. But I think the Magic have one more victory in them. So, Jameer, I’m taking you at your word! Put the shovel down, put this team on your back if you have to and give us one more victory!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 12:54 PM
Blown Calls; Blown Chances
It has been an interesting couple of days on the official Orlando Magic Message Boards. Intense debate, usually reserved for the Arroyo/Nelson argument or the JJ Redick argument was instead focused on the “refs vs. self” argument. By this I mean, did the refs cause us to lose Game 2 in Detroit or was it our own fault?
Many board members expressed strong feelings on the matter. Those that felt the Magic did themselves in made a point to berate the ones expressing frustration with the refs, amazed that they couldn’t see the Magic’s own lack of execution down the stretch. Those in the “ref” camp took issue with their fellow Magic fans not appreciating the affect a blown call (or three!) could have on the flow of the game. In fact, the handful of Pistons fans who have blessed us with their presence on the boards only had to sit back and enjoy the internal turmoil the Magic fans were having.
I spent most of Monday night and all of Tuesday sitting firmly in the “ref” camp. As I sit here on a Wednesday morning, I think I have finally had time to reflect on the issue and gain some perspective that only time and reading many, many posts, can provide. I still believe that the refs, through their execution of league rules, and their choice of calls, especially late in the game, had a significantly greater impact on the outcome of that game than is intended.
This doesn’t mean that I am choosing to ignore the fact that our “Big 3” had 17 turnovers, Lewis shot only 29% from the field, and our bench had no impact whatsoever on the game. The fact is, we finally were playing Orlando Magic basketball! The Detroit Pistons were reeling in the 3rd quarter. Had that momentum carried over into the 4th, it is possible that we could have had a lead which would have changed how we played and what decisions were made in the final minutes. All that momentum was taken away with that bogus shot by Billups.
But it wasn’t just that call. It was the foul on Dooling when Detroit was inbounding the ball, the inexplicable awarding of possession to Detroit after Turk grabbed a tough defensive board in traffic and it bounced off of Ratliff, and the fact that the refs selectively called fouls against Howard’s defenders for rough fouls but automatically called touch fouls on anyone guarding Detroit’s shooters.
Many have expressed anger at Turkoglu for his quick shot with less than a minute left. It was a bad decision certainly. But it might not have occurred had things prior to that gone differently. The cause and effect is too obvious to ignore. Turk had spent the third quarter setting up many of those beautiful three-pointers that got us the lead.
I’ve heard fans say, “well, the Magic players and coaches aren’t blaming that blown call on the loss, why are the fans?” First off, the players and coaches don’t have the luxury of stewing in their frustrations like us fans do. They have to focus on the next game. Furthermore, their mindset has to be that they finally showed that they can hang with the Pistons and get a lead. And finally, I’m pretty sure that the league still fines players and coaches who overtly criticize officials.
The Detroit Pistons are a great team and Game 2 should have been, could have been a close Magic victory. We have little margin for error against them to have any chance to compete in this series, or even win a game. But when there appears to be a third group of players on the court, well that is just too much to overcome. Turnovers, poor shooting, poor decision making, poor execution, and all that stuff, it can be overcome. Many a playoff victory has come when the winning team has stunk up the court. These problems are something that the Magic players and coaching staff can correct, either during a game or in preparation for the next one.
And herein lies the real reason that Magic fans are frustrated: the influence and impact that the refs have on a game is completely and totally out of the players and coaches control. In this case, the refs blown calls were much more detrimental than any turnover or bad play could have been. That’s my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.
Smurf Out!
It’s all unofficial of course, but if you have blue body paint and any white/blue clothing arrangement, you might consider wearing it to the game tonight. Or, even better, if you don’t have that stuff, you might just want to be on the lookout for some of your fellow Magic fans looking a bit like those lovable little sky-blue creatures. If the Magic prevail tonight, it could lead to a trend.
At the Buzzer
Watching Jason Maxiell play so effectively the last two games has served to sharply increase my already strong dislike of Fran Vazquez.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Tuesday, April 30, 2008, 4:50 PM
Satisfaction
Satisfaction at least begins to describe the feeling I had Monday night while watching the closing seconds of Game 5 between the Orlando Magic and the Toronto Raptors. It took me a few moments to fully comprehend the meaning of the victory. I kept hearing the announcers say that it had been 12 years since we had advanced past the first round. Even though I know that to be true and I was there the last time it happened, all I could think was “twelve years, is that all?”
Hope and despair have been the two consistent, conflicting emotions the Magic fans have felt since the end of Game 4 against the Chicago Bulls in the 1996 East Conference Semi-Finals. The actions that led to the hope oftentimes also led to the despair. This is evident in moves such as a desperate trade for Rony Seikaly, the signing of coaches and staff like Chuck Daly, Julius Erving, and Doc Rivers, and the entire revamping of a roster to make room for saviors like Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill. These moves were all made while trying to recover from the blow we took when Shaq skipped town. At least twice we have tried to reinvent ourselves since then, each time thinking that this was the move that would get us back to that “magical” place. It speaks to the fortitude and loyalty of the long-suffering Magic fan that for all that hope and despair, we are still here to enjoy this wonderful, magical moment.
“Satisfied” describes how I felt on Friday when I wore my white “Blue and White Ignite” playoff t-shirt to work and had 4 different co-workers stop me and ask me about the shirt and ask if I was excited about the Magic. These are co-workers who have never once discussed the Magic with me until that day. Satisfied is how I felt when my mother watched Game 3 with me, her first Magic game in a couple of years – and started yelling at the TV when the Magic quickly got behind in their one loss in the series with the Raptors. The highlight of the night had to be when the camera focused on Stan Van Gundy and my mom exclaimed “who is that!?” I said “that’s our coach.” To which she replied: “That guy? He’s our coach!?” Satisfied is how I felt when my mother called me up Monday night after game 5, telling me how she had watched all of it and that Keith Bogans shoots the 3 as well as Dennis Scott. Considering that my mother’s Magic “fandom” is stuck in 1995 where Nick Anderson is perpetually stealing the ball, I have to call this progress.
Satisfied describes how I felt yesterday morning when I was again wearing a Magic t-shirt as I ran errands. Three different strangers stopped me and asked me if I had watched the game last night and exclaimed how awesome it was that the Magic are playing so well. One of them was an older lady who referred to Jameer Nelson as “Jammer.” I could be cynical and say that the playoff success is bringing out the casual or “fair-weathered” fan, but that would mean I am failing to give credit to the power that sports can have on a community. We are nowhere near approaching the levels of the 1995 Finals run, but the progression is the same. Anytime that something positive occurs, even if it only involves a sports team, the impact and influence are amplified when the community recognizes it and chooses to embrace it as if it is something that happened to them. And in fact, it IS happening to us!
Playoff success, is still a new and alien experience for us. It all happened too fast in 1995, in only our 6th season of existence. Perhaps we took it for granted. It showed when we chose to believe that we could still win without Shaq. We thought a team that had gone to the Finals, even if it no longer had Shaq, could at least make it out of the first round! Unfortunately, that core of Horace Grant, Penny Hardaway, Dennis Scott, Darrell Armstrong, and Nick Anderson would only get two more cracks at the playoffs before being busted up in 1999. That led to a long-stretch of time in which the Magic making the playoffs at all, much less advancing, seemed to be an effort. In fact, that seeming sense of uncertainty about just how good a team we would be didn’t end until February of this year, when we finally survived our January swoon and pushed forward.
So, now we are 19 seasons old and I’d venture to say that the Orlando Magic have a solid core of veteran NBA fans now. But this core of fans still can only fondly remember what it was like to watch as our favorite tall people marched through the rest of the league. So, in many respects, our community at large, be they Magic fans or not, is still very much new to all this NBA playoff success (yes, a 2nd round berth qualifies as success around here!). The good news is that regardless of how far we go next year, we can once again begin to take for granted that we will be here again soon!
An Exile’s Lament
I can be seen regularly on the official Orlando Magic Message Boards, but this past week has seen me take a much longer hiatus than I’m used to. Since even Magic fans must work regular jobs in order to afford all of those tickets, OCTB’s, t-shirts, OCTB’s, DirecTV satellite dishes, and therapy, I regrettably found my work life trumping my sports life. Business travel had me in Atlanta from late last week until late Monday night. My flight arrived back home just in time to catch the end of Game 5. Thankfully, I was able to watch the majority of Game 4 on Saturday from my hotel in Atlanta. But watching the game there just wasn’t the same as watching the game with a gathering of my fellow Magic fans. Having no other Magic fans around to share my joy after the Game 4 victory made me feel all the more lonely.
I was staying on the 16th floor of the Omni Hotel in downtown Atlanta. This hotel is 28 stories and it is immediately adjacent to Phillips Arena, where the Hawks play. Having my Saturday evening free, I briefly toyed with the idea of going downstairs and trying to get a cheap ticket to Game 3 of the Hawks/Celtics series. I chose to watch the game in my hotel room. I got a kick out of watching (and hearing) all the rowdy Hawks fans streaming out of the arena after the victory. Hundreds of them whooped and hollered for a good half-hour up and down the street below my hotel.
My traveling calendar is blank for the month of May but kicks in again in June. Let me just say this: I would absolutely love to have a scheduling conflict between my travel and the Magic games in the month of June.
Speaking of “Satisfaction…”
“Satisfied” also describes my feelings after watching the end of the Spurs/Suns series. I know that Shaquille O’Neal and Grant Hill are good people at heart. I know that they did a lot for this organization while they were here and that many of the long-term members of the Magic organization choose to remember them fondly. But for us fans who weren’t in the position to know either of them personally, we can only judge them by how their tenures (and departures) affected the Magic on the basketball court. Because both O’Neal and Hill left this team under circumstances that could be described as acrimonious at worst and “not-gregarious” at best, I would venture to say that I was not the only one to get a slightly bent, slightly sadistic kick out of watching O’Neal and Hill go out in the first round of the playoffs.
For O’Neal’s part, we have to share our satisfaction with Lakers fans and Heat fans. O’Neal may be the first superstar in NBA history to have poor relationships with the fans, owners, or management of every team he played for.
As for Grant Hill, I couldn’t help noticing the delicious irony in the fact that Grant Hill joined the Phoenix Suns because now that he was finally healthy, he wanted a chance to advance in the playoffs and try to win a championship. Well, guess what, when the Suns needed him most, Grant Hill suited up for them, unfortunately, it was the three-piece variety. Sound familiar Magic fans?
At the Buzzer
Just thought I’d let you guys know that the Philadelphia 76ers and the Atlanta Hawks are officially my second and third favorite teams, at least for the next week.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Tuesday, April 24, 2008, 3:43 PM
Game 2 Observations
• I once again took the opportunity to tailgate before the game with some of my fellow Magic fans and Message Board Members. I really enjoyed it, even though I was the only one dressed like a tool and wearing a shirt and tie. I was introduced to two new things for me: “Amp and Vodka” and “Bubba Burgers."
• Our group must have shown well enough because a gentleman from 580 AM came over to interview “Crazy Magic Fans.” Our very own Marc Acres 3:16 did the interview and nailed it. About 40 minutes later, we were able to hear it on the radio. Good stuff.
• During pre-game intros, Stuff descended from the rafters over the court wearing fireworks – ignited fireworks. Word has it that Marc Acres 3:16 was strangely absent from his seat at the time. Hmm…..
• The Magic once again start out hot from the floor, building a 18 point lead in the first quarter. Two games in a row now, Hedo Turkoglu has dunked twice in the first quarter.
• The level of aggressiveness in the opening quarters has been extremely impressive – drives, blocks, steals, often by people you wouldn’t expect (Rashard Lewis).
• By halftime, the Raptors had finally made a game of it. Talking to some media members at half-time, we all agreed that the Magic might benefit later from having to win a close game or two against the Raptors.
• 3rd quarter – our first deficit in the series didn’t last long.
• Dwight has turned things up a notch…he went from dominant to DOMINANT!
• I am very proud of Jameer Nelson. He continued to push and press the ball every time he took possession of it. He became a leader out on the court.
• The Magic crowd is larger and more boisterous than the one that showed up on Sunday for Game 1. I saw absolutely no Raptors fans around my section.
• My favorite fans of the evening were the ones that started the “Ref You Suck” chant right below my seat.
• This may not have been obvious to the fans seeing him on the Jumbotron, but the fan who won the “Fan of the Game” award was wearing a Steve Francis jersey! Come on, that just aint right.
• I’ve got an insider’s tip for you…be on the lookout for Magic Smurfs in the audience if the Magic should advance to the 2nd round. Now, if that doesn’t win “Fan of the Game” I don’t know what will.
• The only thing that could possibly make my Magic playoff experience (so far) any better would be an appearance by Former Magic Dancer April. I’m just throwing that out there.
• I’m noticing more and more of the “Stan Van Damme” t-shirts in the audience. Those shirts are great. I especially love the “roundhousing his way through the NBA” line on the back of the shirt. I wonder how I would look in one of those, say, in an XL.
• Pleasant surprise of the night: seeing both Carlos Arroyo and the “Warlock” Marcin Gortat get some action in the 3rd quarter.
• I watched the last minute-and-a-half from the tunnel with Hoopsworld's Eric Lopez. Can't begin to describe how tense I was. I was just hoping the Raptors would leave us a second or two after they scored to go ahead. But Superman stepped up, with a little help from his friend (Bosh).
• The post-game press conferences were very interesting. Raptors coach Sam Mitchell was extremely candid, even gregarious, with the media. Surprisingly the Toronto media contingent took it pretty easy on him.
• The funniest part of the press conference was when Jose Calderon was up on the raised stage, answering questions by himself, while Turk, Nelson, and Howard were off to the side, unnoticed, waiting their turn. Calderon was making comments about how the Raptors would definitely be back in Orlando (for a Game 5) and talking about what they would do differently to beat the Magic. Meanwhile, the three Magic players were listening intently to what Calderon was saying, with huge grins on their faces. Calderon didn’t notice they were there until he stood up to leave. I’m sure Calderon wondered why so many members of the media were grinning while he spoke. We could see the Magic players, but he couldn’t.
• Once Turk, Nelson, and Howard took the press conference stage, it was all they could do to keep a straight face. Howard had to keep his face in his hands to keep from laughing and Turk just wore a goofy grin on his face the whole time.
• The funniest moment was when someone asked him about his “21 points” in game 1. Nelson quickly interrupted him and said “24. It was twenty FOUR points.” Hilarious.
Good luck in Toronto guys. One win would be nice, but two would be better!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 3:39 PM
5-Year Wait is Over
The last time the Magic won a playoff game, it was a momentous occasion. The O-rena was rocking, and dynamic young players like T-Mac, Gordon Giricek, and Drew Gooden were taking it to the pre-title Pistons, who nonetheless were the #1 seed in the East. I have always found it ironic that we won three first round playoff games in the very first season that the NBA went to a seven game series in the first round. One year earlier and we would have advanced.
I was in the O-rena for all three home games against the Pistons during that series, so I remember the sheer joy of Games 3 and 4 and the sense of finality of Game 6. Last year’s games against the same Pistons only seemed to reinforce the sense of futility I felt as a Magic fan, trying to get over this Pistons hump.
All that went away on Sunday. The Amway Arena that was rocking, dynamic young players like Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, and Maurice Evans were taking it to the hapless Raptors. That first quarter was magical, and the boys in blue and white had enough at the end to pull away from the Raptors and take a very comfortable Game 1 victory, the first Magic playoff victory in five years. Anyone care to guess how many more years it will be before we DON’T have a playoff victory?
NBA Basketball, It’s Tailgate-tastic
I’m a veteran of many a tailgate party at UCF home games and Tampa Bay Bucs home games. Still, I had never even considered tailgating at a Magic game. Well, this past Sunday I did just that! I met up with some of the other Magic Message Board members and we had some suds, some chips, and some brats over in the parking lot on the North side of the O-rena. It was the first time tailgating at a Magic game for all of us, and this was a collection of some vet Magic fans. I only heard after the fact that the Magic organization put on a bit of a tailgating show of their own. So, kudos to them. I’m especially sorry that I missed out on the Beer Garden. I’ll be sure to check that out tonight!
I think this is a situation where, once you start a tradition, you can’t stop it. The Magic got first round home court advantage. So, they need to keep doing that. The Magic fans – at least the group that I’m a part of – started tailgating before Magic playoff games this season. No doubt, this will continue. In fact, why do it just for the playoffs? Any weekend regular season Magic game makes a great tailgating opportunity!
Two Up, Two Down
Guess what, the Magic are going to win tonight. I think the Raptors will try to address their issues from Game 1, but the fact is that no one on the Raptors can stop Dwight and even if only two of our five 3-point threats are shooting well, it should be enough to win – even if it’s a close game.
Canada is going to seem much more friendly to our Magic men when they head up there at 2-0.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 4:27 PM
Brand New Magic Fan
Blogger’s note: allow me to apologize to my loyal readers, both of you, for being absent from this space recently. I would now like to present to you an entry that I have been adding to, off-and-on for the last couple of weeks. It is a long one, so kudos to those of you who make it through to the end.
While this entry may be long and perhaps even self-indulgent, it still stands as an account of what an awesome experience it can be to attend a Magic game for the first time, especially for a young child. I hope you enjoy it.
Sometimes it really isn’t about the winning or the losing, but about the enjoyment along the way. I never would have believed that prior to attending the Magic vs. Hornets game the other week. I’ve always viewed any Magic loss as a bad game and therefore, a bad experience. But then I had the pleasure of taking my son to his first Magic game, and I saw everything from a different perspective.
My son, let’s call him “LOD Jr.,” just turned 6 years old. I took him to a Magic game back when he was 2 years old but obviously he doesn’t remember that. I had hoped to wait until he was old enough to really appreciate the experience before I took him back to another one. He watches the games on TV with me, but he seldom has the patience to make it through an entire game, and most of them end well past his bedtime.
But as my involvement with the Magic has increased this season, so has his interest in the team. All season, every time I would go to one of the home games, he would ask me, “Daddy, when can I go to a Magic game with you?” I would always tell him that it would be very soon. As his birthday approached, I arranged to get good seats in the lower bowl for a game.
I went out a bought a nice, white Magic hat and a blue and black Magic t-shirt. I also got a Magic team poster (handed out at a recent game) from a buddy. All these items were placed in a gift bag along with the two tickets. I saved that present for last, and I gotta be honest, I was as excited and nervous about him opening it as he was. I was literally shaking from excitement, hoping that he would react in a positive way. He grabbed the hat and the shirt and seemed to like both of them, but it was when he saw the tickets that his face really lit up. He grabbed the two tickets, held them above his head, and yelled to everyone in the room – mom, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc. – “Whoa! Magic tickets!!” His face was beaming and my heart swelled. I didn’t have to tell him who the other ticket was for, he knew that daddy was taking him to the Magic game. I told him that we would also try to get some cards autographed by the visiting New Orleans Hornets. He said he hoped we could get Dwight Howard’s autograph too! You gotta give the kid credit, he shoots for the stars.
The weekend before the game, I went through all my old basketball cards, looking for any New Orleans Hornets players I could find. LOD Jr. was still holding out hope that he could get some Magic players to sign but I told him that the visiting team is usually easier than the home team.
On the day of the game, I made sure to get off from work as early as possible. When I got home, LOD Jr. was ready, wearing his shirt, his hat, and a huge, huge smile. Mrs. LOD said that since at least the middle of the afternoon, LOD Jr. had jumped at every noise, thinking it was daddy coming home to take him to the game. When I got home, I changed into my own Magic hat and shirt, grabbed our tickets, our cards, my camera, and we hit the road!
On the drive to the O-Rena, the conversation was typical of any that involve 6 year olds, primarily focusing on how much cotton candy and popcorn would there be at the game, how much of said cotton candy and popcorn he would be allowed to consume, and whether he’d be able to sit near Dwight Howard. We got to the O-Rena at about 5:45 PM. I made sure to take his picture in front of the marquee at the Northeast corner, the one that said “Orlando Magic vs. New Orleans Hornets.”
As we were heading over to the South side of the building, we passed people who were handing out black Geico “snap armbands.” LOD Jr. grabbed one of these and wore it proudly. Well, that is, he wore it proudly when he wasn’t taking it off and trying to “snap” it on everything in sight.
When the doors opened at 6 PM, we met up with my friend Tony and headed down to where the fans are allowed to wait for visiting players to leave the court after pre-game warm-ups. As chronicled in this space several weeks ago, I had only recently experienced this for the first time myself. So, I was very excited to do it again with my son. We waited patiently with about 15 other fans and the first Hornets player we saw was Morris Peterson. I instructed LOD Jr. to hold his card out through the rail and wait to get Peterson’s attention. Unfortunately, as he tried to stick the card through the rail, he dropped it about 8 feet down to the tunnel floor below. Peterson saw what happened, saw that it was a young kid that did it, and acted accordingly. He feigned surprise and said “Hey, it looks like I’ve got a new card now!” He then bent down, picked the card up and turned back to LOD Jr. and said “This is my card now, right? I get to keep it?” LOD Jr. was too nervous to do anything but wag his head a little. Peterson then cracked a smile, signed the card, and handed it back to LOD Jr., who was now beaming. I told him to say thank you, which he did. The two O-rena ushers nearby, as well as the handful of Magic fans who witnessed the interaction, were all extremely delighted to witness such a personal “moment” between a player and a young fan, even a moment as short and simple as that one. Peterson certainly endeared himself to me with how he treated my son (Edit: that endearment disappeared with that bogus foul call on Mo Evans near the end of the game, but that’s a different story!).
We ended up getting autographs from three other Hornets players: Chris Andersen, Julian Wright (on a rookie card), and my personal favorite, David West, on a rookie card. I must say, the players that signed made sure that everyone had a turn. But the two very friendly O-Rena ushers that were present went out of their way to make sure that LOD Jr.’s cards got signed. At one point, one of the ushers actually took the card from my son and personally handed it to the player to sign.
By the time the fourth card was signed, LOD Jr. had caught the bug and was looking for bigger fish. He looked across the court to wear Dwight Howard was warming up with Patrick Ewing and asked if we could go over and see if we could get his autograph. I told him that I didn’t think that was possible, but that I thought we could maybe try to get a photo of him standing near the court with Howard in the background. We were heading around the court just as Howard was walking back toward the tunnel. We hurried our steps and made it over there just as he was walking by. There was too large a crush of people to get a good photo, but I was able to lift LOD Jr. up to get a closer view of Howard. Incidentally, Howard did stop and sign for at least two or three fans.
When Howard left the court after pre-game warm ups, the crowd around the NorthEast tunnel diminished significantly. We were able to stand very near the court and watch as Magic owner Bob Vander Weide and former Magic stars Dennis Scott and Nick Anderson practiced shooting for the festivities surrounding Vander Weide’s 50th birthday celebration. Magic general manager Otis Smith was standing nearby watching. Sensing an opportunity, I asked LOD Jr. what he would think of having his Magic hat autographed. He thought that this was a great idea, so when Otis Smith came near, I told LOD Jr. to take his hat off and politely ask Mr. Smith if he would sign for him (I had a Sharpie at the ready). Otis Smith graciously accommodated him, signing on the bill of the hat. LOD Jr. thought this was fun enough that he wanted to try to get more, so when Vander Weide came near, he approached him as well. Vander Weide took his time with LOD Jr., asking him for his name and also how old he was. I took a photo of Vander Weide bending down and autographing my son’s Magic hat while wearing his Magic warm-up outfit on his 50th birthday. I thought that was a memory my son will appreciate when he is older. Next up, my son approached Dennis Scott and got his auto on the hat as well. We waited another 5 minutes to try to see if we could get Nick Anderson, but he was shooting the whole time. LOD Jr. knows that Nick is my all-time favorite, so he was hoping for that one. But, now we have something to shoot for the next time we go. Autos of Otis Smith, Dennis Scott, and Bob Vander Weide on your Magic hat is not too shabby for your first Magic game!
With the autographs out of the way, we proceeded on to an even more important Magic game activity: food! I gave LOD Jr. the run-down of the usual O-rena fare, leaving it up to him to choose what he wanted. After considering all the options, he decided that the O-Rena Chicken Tender Basket sounded best. The impact of what I am about to tell you cannot be overstated: I have never been more proud of my son than in that moment! You must believe me when I tell you that I did nothing to influence his decision. Chalk it up to good genes that my son would be able to quickly and decisively identify the single greatest sports venue fare that has ever been bestowed upon a lucky sports fan. The breasts were juicy and tender that day my friend. And the fries-on-the-side brought their “A” game. As if all of that wasn’t enough, LOD Jr. almost went into pre-emptive sugar overload when he found out he was splitting my Mountain Dew with me!
I found out the hard way that getting yourself and a six year old – with all four arms full – through a crowded O-rena concourse is a cumbersome, yet simultaneously delicate task. We found empty seats in the raised seating at the top of the lower bowl where we were able to sit and eat our food prior to tip-off. Between hot juicy bites of chicken tenders and cold, tangy sips of Mountain Dew, LOD Jr. proceeded to take in all the sights down on the court, and asking me a different question what seemed like a every 5 seconds. I gotta point out once more how much he enjoyed the OCTB. He even particularly mentioned how he liked the seasoning of the FOTS. I told him that this is why daddy always gets that meal and he asked me, in total seriousness, “Daddy, can we ALWAYS get the chicken tender basket?” Let’s score that as proud moment of the evening #2!
After wiping our hands and polishing off our drink, we made our way over to our seats. While sitting, LOD Jr. was still in a perpetual state of awe as he continued to be enraptured by all the activity taking place around him in the stands and on the court. He managed to startle me when he suddenly yelled “Ooh, ooh! Look at that” while pointing his finger in the air. He had seen the TG LEE “mini-blimp” floating overhead, dropping small pieces of paper to the crowd below. He was fascinated by the blimp and asked several blimp-related questions throughout the course of the evening, apparently assuming that I am a mini-blimp expert (point of fact, dad’s are experts on everything). Unfortunately, the blimp never passed directly overhead, but just the idea that it could, at any moment, pass overhead, kept my son on the edge of his seat as much as anything that was taking place on the court.
Other things that kept LOD Jr. on the edge of his seat and chatting in my ear included: the guys and girls walking up and down the stairs hawking ice cream, the guys and girls on the court firing t-shirts and other items into the crowd, and believe it or not, the Magic dancers! Now, before you think I am corrupting my young son’s innocent mind, let me state that it was the simple fact that they continued to change outfits, along with his observation that they continued to change location, that most interested him.
Prior to getting to our seats, I had told LOD Jr. that he could have cotton candy at halftime. About 2 minutes into the first quarter, he turns to me and says: “how do you know when it’s halftime?” All I could do is smile, laugh, and tell him that it was still a little while away. But I did take the opportunity to point out the scoreboard and clock. Oh, and by the way, he never did get any cotton candy. That became an afterthought from the moment he saw the first dude hawking ice cream! For those of you that might need the information for future use, a six year old is fully capable of eating most of an OCTB, an entire container of the “Dibs” ice cream bites, and still ask for more snacks afterward! Oh, what the hell, let’s call this proud moment of the evening #3, for those scoring at home. And no, I have no idea why all three proud moments revolve around food.
As the game got underway, LOD Jr. and I paid attention to what was happening on the court. He got really caught up in the “numbers” aspect of an NBA game. He continued to tell me the score, reminding me that the Magic were still ahead, or that the Magic now had “this many points” or “that many points.” He was also an extremely astute observer of even the most obvious facts. He said that #3 for the other team (Chris Paul) was “very fast” and that #6 (Tyson Chandler) was “very tall.” The kid can really get straight to the point. He’s concise. I think this kid has tremendous upside. In fact, his natural knack for brevity puts him head and shoulders above Bill Walton already.
At halftime, we watched the absolute most-perfect entertainment for a kid attending for the first time. All the NBA team mascots, the kids from the Boys and Girls Club, and even Bob Vander Weide, playing dodgeball at center court was an absolute treat. LOD Jr. didn’t realize this was a rare occurrence; he thought that every Magic game included dodge ball and multiple mascots, including one, a Raptor maybe, who appeared to actually eat whole one of the Magic dancers. They repeatedly showed this on the jumbo tron, prompting LOD Jr. to proclaim loudly to everyone within earshot: “I sure hope that dinosaur doesn’t come over here!” Good times.
In the 19 years that I have been attending Magic games, I have never once caught a t-shirt or whatever else they throw into the audience. This fact has never really bothered me much. But on this night, I suddenly found myself screaming at them to “shoot it over here! Hey!!! Over HERE!!” while waving and flapping my arms around like a duck caught in a tar pit. LOD Jr. wanted a shirt pretty bad, so I set out to get one for him. It didn’t happen, and he was disappointed, but he knew for sure that his daddy had made every effort to make it happen. I usually save that level of yelling for the refs.
The game ended up being a tight one, and I think LOD Jr. could sense that we were all on edge. He must have thought the game was similar to a movie, because he kept asking me “Daddy, are the Magic going to win?” much like he is always asking me what happens next when we’re watching TV. I could only say “I sure hope so, son.” Ultimately, it ended bad for the home team and the home crowd, but you wouldn’t have known it from watching my son’s face. He was just as happy and full of energy while we were walking out as he was when we walked in. While I am sure that some of that was the sheer volume of sugar coursing through his blood, I also know that some of it was the magic – both the literal and the figurative versions – that he experienced that evening.
This was the first of many games that I intend to take him to, now that I know he is a Magic fan for life. The best part for me is that this experience enabled me to view it all through the eyes of my son, which only served to reinforce all the reasons why I’m a Magic fan and why I love attending the Magic games, win or lose (or in my case, live or die!).
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Monday, March 24, 2008, 5:17 PM
"I Survived FSN...So Where's My T-Shirt?"
Those of you who have remained Brighthouse customers throughout this current Magic season are keenly aware of the significance of tomorrow night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs. It is the last game of the season to be broadcast on Fox Sports Net. The remainder of the regular season games will be broadcast on Brighthouse-friendly Sun Sports or nationally televised on ESPN.
I am not going to rehash the issue between the Orlando Magic, Brighthouse Networks, and Fox Sports Net. By now, most everyone is aware of the details. But I will say that it appears that those Magic fans who jumped the Brighthouse ship early and switched to one of the two major satellite providers may have been the smart ones. I certainly didn’t feel that the dispute would last the entire season. Now that one season has passed with no resolution, what’s to stop the impasse from continuing indefinitely?
I never would have thought I could make it through an entire season with not being able to view such a large number of Magic games. Were it not for my ability to see many of the home games in person this season, I think I would have gone into Magic game withdrawal. But after tomorrow night, I will no longer need to worry about checking the schedule to determine if I can actually watch the game. It has made me look at a Magic telecast in a different light. What I took for granted for 18 seasons I now see as a luxury. The ability to sit in the comfort of my own home and watch a Magic away game is now at a premium.
My personal situation prevented me from leaving Brighthouse Networks. If by this coming Fall, a resolution has not been found, I and many others may find that any barriers to making the switch to a provider with an agreement with FSN don’t look quite as insurmountable.
This has been a trying season for the average Magic fan, at least those fans who subscribe to cable. We managed to make it through, though slightly worse for wear. It has been a breakout season for the Magic team on the court, but unfortunately the vast majority of Magic fans who live in Central Florida had to miss many Magic victories. Here’s hoping that the 2007-2008 Magic season is an aberration in this one respect.
Oh, and by the way, my size is XL.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Thursday, March 13, 2008, 12:39 PM
"Wizards > Magic > Cavs?"
Well, it would appear that we are better than the Cavaliers because we beat them on Monday. It would appear that the Wizards are better than us because they beat us last night. It would appear that the Wizards are also better than the Cavs because Wizards guard Deshawn Stevenson says that LeBron James (and therefore the Cavs) is overrated! No, I don’t actually buy any of that, at least not at face value. But it does appear that all is not settled in the East.
Who says all the playoff intrigue is out West!? I say NO! If you look past the actual won/loss records (which by comparison is unfavorable to the East), you will see that there are plenty of interesting possibilities and storylines in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Oh sure, it will likely still come down to who wins Game 7 of the ECFs between Detroit and Boston, but up until that point, many exciting things will happen. For instance:
• If the Wizards jump the Raptors for the 5th seed, we may see a great matchup between the Cavaliers and Wizards. LeBron may have played off Stevenson’s comments, but I still think that he will have a little extra motivation should they meet. The biggest beneficiary of the extra attention paid to the Stevenson/James spat might be Agent Zero himself. I haven’t forgotten the way LeBron James got into Gilbert Arenas’s head two years ago when Arenas was at the free throw line during their playoff matchup. If James has his focus on trying to punk Stevenson, maybe Arenas goes off and makes it a longer series.
• Atlanta as the 8th seed. If Atlanta pushed New Jersey out of the final spot, it could make for an entertaining 1 vs. 8 series. Boston will beat Atlanta. I’m not saying it won’t happen. It will. But Atlanta will give them a good test. Atlanta has extremely strong guard play, and by the playoffs, Mike Bibby should be fully acclimated. But the real fun will be in the front court where Josh Smith and Al Horford can match Boston in athleticism, if not in overall talent. A team like Boston doesn’t really care who they get in the opening round, but if they had to choose, I’m sure they’d prefer to see the Nets, who would guarantee a quick sweep and some rest.
• Who “lucks out” with the 76ers? I know the Sixers are playing well, but of all the teams from 5-9, they are the one that offers the easiest possible first round matchup. They are strongest at guard, but lack any real depth and also lack experience. I reserve the right to change my opinion about them if they should take it to the Magic tomorrow night.
• Orlando vs. Toronto in the 1st Round. I just can’t decide if this potential matchup is scarier for me as a Magic fan than a matchup with an Arenas-led Wizards team. At full strength, the Raptors give us fits. This matchup will come down to two things: home court advantage, and coaching. Thankfully, we own both those categories.
Observations – Magic vs. Cavaliers (March 17th, 2008)
• I was so pumped for this game, and I was so happy to see it turn out to be as good a game as I hoped.
• Still WAY too many cheers for LeBron during intros.
• Next time you are at a game, make sure to watch how all the Magic players interact near the bench just before tip-off. There is some seriously funny rituals going on over there!
• Not sure if you can hear it on TV, but the Magic organization play the theme music to the “Super Man” movie when Howard goes to the free throw line.
• Most popular jersey in the crowd tonight: the green Redick #7 jersey.
• Second most popular jersey in the crown tonight: LeBron James’ high school jersey, the “Irish.”
• I saw former Magic GM John Gabriel down in the tunnels, he was doing some TV work at the game. He isn’t with the Trailblazers anymore, but I asked him if he knew anything about Greg Oden’s knee. He said he thinks the knee is fine but that he also thinks the Blazers wish they were picking again.
• When Keyon Dooling entered the game after a long injury lay-off, it appeared that he was trying to make up for all his shot attempts at once!
• The game featured three overall #1 picks: LeBron, Howard, and Joe Smith.
• Even though Mike Brown took the Cavs to the Finals last season, I am still getting a “Doug Collins with the late 80’s Bulls” vibe from him. Sorry to perpetuate any LeBron/Jordan comparisons.
• The crowd at home missed an interesting half-time act: “Trust in Plastic.” A five-piece percussion act on plastic drums. Good stuff.
• Did you know that Pat Garrity still plays for the Magic? Neither did I! But he sure showed up and gave a solid effort in a big win. When he hit that three, the roof came off the joint. During the post-game press conference, SVG just gushed about Pat’s effort and professionalism in stepping in when Rashard Lewis and Brian Cook got in foul trouble. The Sentinel’s Tim Povtak asked SVG if he didn’t just play Garrity because it was St. Patrick’s Day. After a nice laugh from the media contingent, SVG said that the thought actually crossed his mind.
Observations – Magic vs. Wizards (March 19th, 2008)
• Dwight is allowed to have a bad game. So is Rashard Lewis. It is just unfortunate when they have a bad game at the same time.
• The bad thing about Dwight’s 3 points was that it came on only 6 shot attempts. I could have lived with the 3 points coming on 1 for 14 shooting because then at least you know he’s getting the looks.
• I liked Deshawn Stevenson when he was with the Magic. I think it was unfortunate the way he left and what happened with his agent. But after observing him saying “choke” over and over again in Jameer Nelson’s direction while he was at the free throw line late in the fourth, I can say that any affinity I had for him is gone.
• Do you really need for me to make any observations about the officiating in this game?
• It was great to see a strong contingent of Magic Message Boarders at the game against the Wizards, including in no particular order: Marc Acres 3:16, Echo4papa, High Class Trash, Nick Anderson 4 President, Davcivic, WPMagic, Hutchence, and ST since 90. Echo4papa scored himself a particular hot, tender, and juicy looking OCTB.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Thursday, March 13, 2008, 12:39 PM
"Short Clips"
Can I just tell you something? I absolutely love the LA Clippers. No, they aren’t one of my favorite teams or anything like that. I only have one favorite team. I love the Clippers because they are a great benefit to the NBA. They allow the other teams in the league to pencil an “easy win” on their calendars. And they allow us fans to attend a game with the relaxed certainty of going home happy.
The Clippers actually have some pretty good pieces and a great coach in Mike Dunleavy. But the combination of bad luck (injuries to Elton Brand, Shaun Livingston, Chris Kaman), bad location (playing in the West), and bad ownership (Donald Sterling), have the ’07-’08 Clippers pretty much playing the string out for one more month.
But let’s talk about why this was such a good thing for yours truly last night! I attended last night’s game with an actual ticket (vs. my media seat), along with several other members of the Magic Message Boards. I was able to experience some things at a Magic game that I had never experienced before:
•An hour before tip-off, we went down to where the Clippers were having pre-game warm-ups and waiting for them to leave the court. One by one, as the players headed back into the tunnel, they paused to sign autographs. We got autographs from Al Thornton, Corey Maggette, Elton Brand, Cuttino Mobley, and Shaun Livingston. It was the first time that I and fellow moderator Davcivic, who was with me, had ever gotten autographs before a game. We were very surprised how easy it was! The other people that were there getting autographs seemed to be “veterans” of the process and knew which players were more likely to sign. For instance, it was apparently a big deal that Corey Maggette stopped to sign autographs. We were also able to see known Magic killer Smush Parker sitting in street clothes. He had just been signed by the Clips but was still unavailable to play for them.
•While standing near one of the bars on the Concourse, Davcivic, Marc Acres 3:16, and myself noticed the Magic’s very own “Fat Guy” walking past us with a woman I assumed to be his wife. He is actually much shorter, and less “fat” close up than I would have imagined. Things got weird when about 30 seconds after he passed us, I turned and saw him approaching us again from the same direction as before!! I asked Davcivic and Marc Acres if someone had hit the Twilight Zone rewind button because it looks to me like the Fat Guy is coming by us again. Marc Acres, without missing a beat, says “No, he’s just already lapped the Concourse again, he’s just that fast.” This led to a brief discussion of places where the Fat Guy should do his laps. The Fat Guy’s alter ego is mild-mannered lawyer Dennis Salvagio. So we’re thinking that after his closing arguments, the Fat Guy runs around the courtroom, firing everybody up, getting the jury to do the wave. Please feel free to post your own ideas for places/times where the Fat Guy's laps are needed.
•During the 2nd quarter, Davcivic and I walked over to where Rock Chalk Magic sits and spoke with him for a bit. On the way back to our seats, we noticed a woman walking in front of us who was wearing jeans. Nothing strange so far. But here’s the thing, the right back pocket – basically one-half of the back of her jeans – was ripped away and was hanging open. Essentially, one half of this woman’s backside was visible for all to see. And there were plenty of people – young and old – seeing it. What can I say, stitch quality has suffered since Levi’s moved their shops overseas.
•Sitting near us, there was a rather loud gentleman who continuously referred to Jameer Nelson as “bridge troll.” I have no idea what that means, and from the looks of those around us, neither did anyone else. At the end of the game, this same interesting gentleman threw what appeared to be a large nut of some kind toward the court. It takes all kinds I guess.
•Saddest site of the night, even more sad than that poor woman with the defective jeans, was a man wearing a Drew Gooden Magic Jersey. He wore number “0,” he has bad grooming habits. Let’s move on.
The game itself was enjoyable (except for the first three minutes when the Magic were stagnant) and if anything, the Magic should have won by more. I was pleased to see how aggressive Rashard Lewis was, especially on the boards. There was great balance from the starting five but I was disappointed to see Keith Bogans continue his “on one game, off the next” routine.
Near the end of the fourth quarter, the chants for JJ began. There was a group of ladies to our right that just kept screaming “JJ” over and over again. When he got in the game, our section got even louder. The interesting loud guy near us practically blew his lungs out screaming “J – J Red – ick!” over and over. Every time JJ touched the ball, the crown swooned. A guy behind me went ballistic when Dooling didn’t pass the ball to a wide open Redick, never mind that Garrity made the shot. Unfortunately, JJ never took a shot. But he did have a very exciting drive in the lane that ended in a turnover. This was a game where JJ, Pat, and the rest should have been in at the 6 minute mark. I’d love to see what he can do when he has a chance to get comfortable.
The win over the Clippers secured a winning season for the Magic, first in five years. I didn’t realize how nice it would feel to be able to write that. The wins should keep coming too, beginning tomorrow night…if you thought the Clippers are accommodating, may I present to you the World Champion Miami Heat?
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 9:52 AM
"Marching On"
The month of March brings 10 home games for the Orlando Magic, more by three than any other month of the season. It’s good timing too, because the Magic seem to have finally figured out how to have success at home – winning their last four at Amway Arena – as well as on the road. The Magic are still in a three-way tie for most road wins in the NBA at 21. But they now have 17 home wins and should soon be able to claim more home wins than road wins.
The heavy home schedule isn’t the only thing that is working in the Magic’s favor. Of the nine home games left this month, starting with tonight’s match up with Toronto, six of them are against Eastern Conference teams and five of them are against teams with a sub .500 record. We do have tough match ups against a revamped Cleveland and a streaking San Antonio, but the Magic have a tendency to play up to the big teams and we should be able to grab a victory in one of those games.
Factor in a reasonable soft road schedule – at Washington, Miami, Atlanta, and Milwaukee, and the Magic have no excuse not to grab 10 victories this month, including the win they already have over the Knicks on Saturday night. As I have stated many times in this space, as long as the Magic beat the teams they are supposed to beat, we should exit the month of May within spitting distance of the 50 win mark.
With that said, here are my bold predictions for this month’s games:
• March 4th - Vs. Raptors (No Bosh? No problem! Contain Calderon and put the subs in early.) – Magic WIN
• March 5th – @ Wizards (Of late, Wizards are giant-killers, this is the one road game we drop all month.) Magic LOSE
• March 8th – Vs. Warriors (This should be an exciting game with lots of points and little defense. I’m seeing a big shot from Turk near the end.) Magic WIN
• March 10th – Vs. Hawks (For some reason, we let this team get to us. They won at Amway earlier this year, but Dwight gets up for the Hawks.) Magic WIN
• March 12th – Vs. Clippers (If there can be a cupcake from the West, the Clippers qualify. They are in a tailspin, having lost 6 straight.) Magic WIN
• March 14th - @ Heat (What’s the over/under on Pat Riley still being on the bench and Wade still being on the court by the time this one arrives?) Magic WIN
• March 15th – Vs. Pacers (Back end of a road/home back-to-back, but this is one the Magic have to have.) Magic WIN
• March 17th – Vs. Cavaliers (It’s either the momentum of a 5 game winning streak, or the leprechauns in the building.) Magic WIN
• March 19th – Vs. Wizards (The “magic” had to end some time, and now they begin to wonder about that #3 vs. #6 matchup in the first round.) Magic LOSE
• March 21st – Vs 76ers (Philly found a formula that works and go with it again. Miller and Green again run all over the Magic guards.) Magic LOSE
• March 22nd - @ Hawks (A very frustrated Magic team do some venting in Atlanta. I feel sorry for the Hawks.) Magic WIN
• March 25th – Vs. Spurs (Let’s be realistic here, can the Magic count on another incredible alley-oop to beat these guys? Maybe not, but they make a game of it.) Magic LOSE
• March 28th – @. Bucks (After two days rest, the Magic end the month on a high note against an overmatched Milwaukee squad.) Magic WIN
And there you have it, 10 wins and 4 losses for the month, putting us at 47-27 as we head into April. You can mark it down…it’s science.
Trade Deadline Withdrawals
Despite it being well over a week now since the trade deadline passed, I still open up ESPN.com’s main page with a flutter in my chest, expecting to see something big in the “breaking news” section. As the teams out West kept making big move after big move, I kept a defibrillator handy when I was surfing the Internet for information. There was so much activity leading up to the deadline, and so much anticipation that the Magic would get in on the act, that once the deadline passed, I was left with an empty feeling.
Like many of you, I thought for sure that Otis Smith would make a move – even a small one – at the trade deadline. With all the expiring contracts, and with our need for size, I truly thought we would be saying goodbye to some combination of Carlos Arroyo, Pat Garrity, Keith Bogans, James Augustine, JJ Redick, etc. etc.
What we do know is that Otis was active leading up to the deadline. He was listening to offers and was willing to make a deal if he heard one he liked. He says now that he is happy with the team he has and I have no arguments to make, despite my fantasies of seeing players like Reggie Evans, Kurt Thomas, Chris Wilcox, Udonis Haslem, or even Ron Artest in a Magic uniform.
This team should be primed for a second round playoff appearance this season. No one wants it to stop there, but it just seems like a natural progression for this team. Perhaps the case is this: we may know more about what tweaks this team needs after watching our performance against a team like Boston or Detroit in the second round.
Otis Smith is likely to still have some work to do this Summer. There are decisions to be made on players like Carlos Arroyo, Keyon Dooling, and Maurice Evans. And there still may be a trade that brings that unnamed player we’ve all been ranting about, we just may have to wait a few more months for it.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Wednesday, February 28, 2008, 9:43 AM
"Q & A With John Denton"
Members of the Magic Message Boards, and basketball fans in general, know that the primary source of information about any NBA team is the beat writer. The beat writer covers the hometown (or home region) team for the local newspaper. It is the beat writer that attends the games, the practices, and the press conferences, wherever and whenever they occur, so that the readers get their daily dose of news, anecdotes, scuttlebutt, rumors, and opinion about their favorite basketball team.
With the proliferation of news content on the internet, this information is even more accessible. Oftentimes, the reports from the beat writers hit the newspaper’s websites long before the newspaper itself hits the subscribers’ driveways. Now, beat writers have more and quicker ways to get information to fans – blogs, chats, online game previews – but it also means more responsibility for the beat writers themselves.
As much as these beat writers are purveyors of information about our team, they are also recognized authorities about the team and the game of basketball itself. A good beat writer can impress just as much with his/her thoughts and opinions as with timely reports or juicy interviews. Case in point: Orlando Magic beat writer John Denton.
John Denton covers the Magic for the Florida Today and for USA Today. He is considered by many Magic Message Board members to be among the best beat writers out there. I thought it would be very interesting to get a peek into what a beat writer does and Denton was extremely gracious and willing to answer the following questions that I posed to him.
On Separating being a “fan” from being a reporter:
Live or Die Magic: I am sure that you are a fan of the Orlando Magic, but much of what you do as a reporter of their comings and goings must be objective. For instance, you can’t cheer for them while watching them in person and you have to be able to ask the tough questions of the players, coaching staff, and administration. How difficult is it for you to remain objective?
John Denton: If you can't be objective, you can't be taken seriously as a reporter. We reporters, we pull for the story, not the teams. I really could care less who wins; I just want a compelling story. A veteran reporter once told me when I was first starting out that the best teams to cover are ones who are a couple of games better than .500. That way you have enough success, some failure and obviously some turmoil. Personally, I'd prefer covering a team that goes deep in the playoffs because postseason drama is so fun to cover.
Of course, it makes my job a little easier when the players are happy and winning. Because we're around these guys so much -- sometimes more than our families -- it's only human to develop friendships with them. And to some extent you pull for them to do well. But never if it means sacrificing your credibility and objectivity.
On the Grind of the NBA Season
Live or Die Magic: I have friends who are season ticket holders and they say that it is often a burden to have to attend 41-plus Magic games, especially during home stands like the one we are about to begin. As a beat writer, you have to not only attend the home games, but also the practices, and the road games. Is it as tiresome as it sounds? Is it made easier if the team is enjoying success?
John Denton: One of the things I like about covering the NBA as opposed to the NFL is that there are lots of games. After all, it's all about the games. But when you are playing four in five nights or on a nine-day West Coast trip it can become a grind at times.
It's a looooong season. We always joke that the newspaper monster is always hungry and you have to feed it every day. So every day we have to come up with stories, ideas, trends, controversy, feel-good stories. During the season, my mind is always racing with ideas for stories, blogs, questions for coaches, etc. Because that monster will be hungry again tomorrow and the next day and the next day.
But I'll never complain about my job. Hey, I get to go to basketball games for a living!!! It's really hard to believe sometimes. Covering basketball has taken me to China, Australia, Canada and practically everywhere in the USA. I'm a basketball junkie, so sometimes covering games and dealing with these players is like stealing money.
On Relationships with the Players, Coaches, and Staff
Live or Die Magic: Is it beneficial for you to try to cultivate positive professional relationships with members of the Magic organization so that they are more receptive to your questions and interview requests, or do you keep them at arms length to help maintain objectivity?
John Denton: Like I said earlier, it's only natural to develop friendships with some of these guys because we're around them basically every day for eight months. Naturally, some days are good and some are not so good.
You want them to view you as someone who can be trusted and is as a hard-working person like themselves. Players know who knows the game and who doesn't. I take some measure of pride in knowing the game and what players go through and think after having played basketball and football in high school and football in college.
You deal with each player differently. Hedo and Rashard are so mellow, Jameer likes the back and forth, Dwight is a silly kid, J.J. has that swagger. Don't go in that locker room if you can't take some ripping from time to time. I can handle it, I'm a big boy.
Live or Die Magic: Also, it would seem that some players/coaches are more gregarious with the press than others. Do you naturally gravitate to those players or is it necessary to try to “work on” the players who might avoid the press more? In the press conferences that I have attended so far this season, Stan Van Gundy seems very short with the media, even after victories. Is this just his personality or does he have issues with some members of the Orlando Magic media contingent? I ask this because he seems less short with some members of the media than with others.
John Denton: Stan is actually a great, great talker because he's intelligent and brutally honest about his players most of the time. His rant after the Utah home loss was an all-time classic. He has insight, can be funny and pulls few punches.
But he is hardly warm and fuzzy. Unlike most coaches, he has taken no time whatsoever to get to know the media in town. True story: We're in China, it's the day after an 18-hour flight and I walk past Van Gundy in the hotel in Shanghai. I say, ``Good morning, coach.'' Nothing, nada, never broke stride. All I could do was laugh.
On Sifting Through the “Spin”
Live or Die Magic: I read a report from Memphis after the Gasol trade in which the GM, Chris Wallace, was extremely candid about the trade, about the prospects for his team, and about the likelihood of certain players on his roster staying with the team. It has been a long time since I have heard an NBA GM be that open, honest, and blunt about personnel decisions. I certainly don’t remember Otis Smith ever making comments that could be taken at such face value. The average Magic fan’s perception of Otis Smith is as someone who is very adept at playing the “spin” game. He seems to say what you want him to, but open further reflection, it seems he isn’t saying anything at all. This difficulty in getting any kind of information out of Otis Smith is one of the more frustrating things that Magic fans have to deal with.
Does this assessment seem accurate to you? When you are interviewing Otis Smith, or SVG for that matter, do you have to sift through their comments to find the truth, or to at least find a valid, if not thorough, answer to your question?
Are GMs coy with the truth or with what their intentions are because their jobs depend on it?
John Denton: I have no complaints about Otis. He's available every day, always calls back and treats me great. It's an art form for these guys to talk without saying anything. I think Otis holds guys accountable for the most part and will be truthful when evaluating players. We often disagree on how good or bad a certain player is and how good or bad the Magic might be.
Of course, he's never going to reveal his hand when it comes to trades or signings. But that's OK. Much of this job is sifting through the spin and chasing down the real truth.
The Easy Stuff!
Live or Die Magic: Who is your favorite player to interview on the Magic? In the NBA?
John Denton: J.J. Redick and Tracy McGrady.
Live or Die Magic: Who is your least favorite player to interview on the Magic? In the NBA?
John Denton: Dwight Howard can be tough sometimes because he gets bored with the process and goes into robot mode. But he's a great talker when he lets his playful personality shine. Least favorite in the NBA? Steve Francis.
Live or Die Magic: Do you have a favorite player on the Magic?
John Denton: You spend five minutes around Turk and you can't help but like him a lot. Rashard is an entirely normal, down-to-earth guy. Adonal Foyle is the most intelligent player in the NBA. JJ is a cool guy and a great, great talker. Dwight is hilarious with his voices and locker room humor. Jameer is always stand up. Pat Garrity gets killed by the message board posters, but there's not a more decent guy in the NBA.
Live or Die Magic: Which NBA arena provides the best food to visiting media?
John Denton: Toronto is strong, Staples Center has a soft-serve ice cream machine, but I'd have to say Phoenix. Great Mexican food, multiple choices and lots of desserts.
Thanks to all of you for reading my stuff on floridatoday.com. JD
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 3:57 PM
"Mixed Bag O' Dunks"
OK, so basically, I have all this stuff to cover since my last blog so I am just throwing it all into one blog. I figure if a trade happens, there will be lots to cover, so I’ll get this stuff out of the way now. It's a long read...but well worth it!
Well, I Guess We Solved That Nickname Question!
All that talk about what nickname Dwight Howard should have came to a head this past weekend. We no longer have to worry about whether “Daily Double” or “D12” is good enough. Superman has arrived and the name isn’t likely to go anywhere. Especially considering that the Magic are already planning promotions using the name and images from the dunk contest.
It is too much biased hyperbole if I say that Saturday night’s dunk contest was the greatest non-game basketball event that I have ever witnessed? I remember being floored by Vince Carter’s performance in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest. But see, I didn’t have an emotional investment in him. He wasn’t on my team. I found myself actually shaking, physically shaking, when Jameer unfurled the cape and Dwight unveiled his Superman shirt. I was that excited. My heart raced and I felt such strong pride in being a Magic fan and having a player like Dwight Howard on my team.
His ability to engage everyone made the dunks themselves secondary. The fact that Howard was able to energize an entire arena and millions of viewers around the world was just a tremendous moment. His performance was the highlight of the entire weekend, and not just for us Magic fans. We will see his “behind the backboard” dunk, his “Superman throw-down” dunk, his “self-ally, switch hand” dunk, and his “little basket to big basket” dunk for many years to come.
One thing that gave me great satisfaction was hearing the announcers – primarily Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Reggie Miller – mention that we could have been witnessing this type of performance last year if only the judges – yes, you Michael Jordan, and you, Dr. J – had been paying attention. In fact, Howard should be celebrating his 2nd straight dunk title right about now. Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith are absolutely tremendous. Smith can be over the top sometimes, but it is usually highly entertaining stuff. As for Sir Charles, he should forget about his political aspirations and start doing stand-up comedy. He’d make a lot more money.
In general, TNT does a fantastic job with the All-Star weekend. I only have one request. Can you please, please get rid of Cheryl Miller? I know she’s one of the greatest female players ever, I know she is a knowledgeable female reporter in a sport with very few of them, but she’s awful! It doesn’t help that she has the exact same face as her younger brother and that he is on the same telecast! They could just put a wig on Reggie and he could fill-in! Can we at least look into this?
On a side note: I would like to present the “Tyronn Lue Memorial Award For the Non-Star Who Crashes the All-Star Festivities” to Damon Jones of the Cavaliers. Jones barely gets off the pine for the Cavs this season, but you would have thought he was leading the league in scoring by how much camera time he and his mohawk got during the weekend’s events. At one point, Reggie Miller even asked if Damon Jones was still in the league! God bless you Reggie Miller, you still shoot with high accuracy. A close runner-for the award has to go to Dikembe Mutombo who has spent much of his 37th season on the inactive list for the Rockets. Mutombo and Jones did some kind of tandem body flailing when Dwight doffed his jersey. As if that wasn’t bad enough, after Dwight’s Superman throwdown, who does he chest bump? Not Jameer Nelson, who gave him an absolutely beautiful pass, not LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Caron Butler, or some other all-star standing courtside. No, Dwight Howard chest bumped Jerome “Junkyard Dog” Williams, a player who retired a couple of years ago. I’m not sure that Dwight even knew who Williams was, nor should he have.
Dwight hinted shortly after the event that he doesn’t know if he will compete next year. To paraphrase, he doesn’t know if he will have any new dunks by next year. As nice as it would be to see him go out on top, I think the league and all the fans, need Dwight Howard back next year. Instead of scaring opposition away, perhaps he can convince his fellow mega-stars to compete with him. If you think this dunk contest was good, imagine having Howard compete against a field featuring LeBron, Kobe, D-Wade, and Amare Stoudemire, just to name a few.
To Trade or Not to Trade?
So, we are only a day away from the trade deadline and still no activity from the Magic. But for all I know, a trade will have occurred by the time you are reading this. Personally, I would prefer that we move our expirings for a solid PF. I just don’t know that we can do anything with our salary cap flexibility this Summer. But I do know that we can get help now.
“I get tired of the "next year" mindset. Fine, so we won't win a title "this year," but come on at least make a strong playoff push. At least lock up a top-4 seed, at least get into the second round. Hell, at least win a single playoff game! For now, I'll settle for winning the games we are supposed to win (re: non-playoff teams) for the rest of the season, and splitting the ones against playoff contenders.”
I think that we can do this by making a small trade to get a PF. I think that ultimately, a small deal will get made. It is more likely to for someone like Kurt Thomas or Chris Wilcox of the Sonics as opposed to Ron Artest or Udonis Haslem. Too many other teams are wanting Artest. If he had a say in the matter, I think he'd prefer to move East again. He has a greater chance of impacting a team's playoff chances in the East. As for Haslem, I think that Riles will just demand too much to improve an in-state rival.
If we do make a small move, I hope it doesn't involve Maurice Evans. He is a guy I'd love to see us resign in the offseason. If we can get him for 3 years and 10 million, it would be tremendous and he helps add offensive and defense energy, even if it is off the bench.
Pre-game Warm-ups
I’ve been arriving early for all the games and standing just off the court when the Magic are doing warm-ups. Before every game, Dwight is out there with Patrick Ewing, practicing some moves and practicing free throws. There is usually another big man there as well, sometimes Marcin Gortat, James Augustine, or Adonal Foyle.
Ewing is constantly in Howard’s ear; constantly coaching. He is in warm-ups as well and actually looks like he is still in game shape. When you see them standing side-by-side in high-tops, it is obvious that Ewing is slightly taller than Howard, but not near as wide.
One time, Dwight was working against Foyle from the corner of the key and he spun out and away from Foyle and made a beautiful fade away from about 18 feet. If Dwight could consistently hit 18-footers, he would be unstoppable.
The irony about Dwight’s free throws is that each time I’ve watched him practice during warm-ups, he nails them. I mean they are perfect: great arc, great follow-through, and the ball snaps the net. So, clearly Howard has the mechanics down…there just must be a mental issue during the actual games.
Observations from Media Seating - Magic's Homestand
Magic vs. Heat – Jan. 30th, 2008 (Win 107-91)
• No Dwyane Wade, No Shaquille O’Neal, No Udonis Haslem. No problem??
• Does a victory over this team provide any personal satisfaction for Stan Van Gundy if they are this depleted?
• Dwight is nailing them free throws!
• End of 1st Quarter: 30-25 Magic. I expected a much bigger lead. I mean, seriously, no way this depleted Heat team should score 25 points in a quarter!
• 2nd Quarter: Foyle goes in for Howard and provides a big lift. You must fear the Foyle. Can you smell what the Chef is cooking?
• Jameer Nelson’s first game back after sitting out 5 games…comes of the bench, gives solid minutes and handles it like a pro.
• With Wade, O’Neal, and Haslem out, the burning question is how many shots can Ricky Davis get up?
• They just showed Orlando Arena usher Larry Powers on the jumbotron. I’m pretty sure it was actually “George,” Donald Trump’s right-hand man from the Apprentice.
• This game finally reverted back to normalcy in the 4th quarter. The blowout should have started much, much sooner.
Magic vs. Mavericks – Feb. 4th, 2008 (Loss 98-107)
• I’m reading the press game notes for the Mavs game and it has Arroyo listed as 6 foot, 2 inches. Nelson is listed at 6 foot. I’ve seen Arroyo and Nelson standing side by side from up close. It is hard to believe that Arroyo is two inches taller than Nelson.
• You know what I miss? The unique pre-tip off entrances that we used to have from guys like Nick Anderson. He would always jump off the scrub mat just in front of the scorers table as Paul Porter announced the tip-off.
• Avery Johnson is 173-54 as the Mavericks head coach. How much you want to bet he remembers those 54 losses much more vividly than the 173 wins.
• Maybe I’m just getting cranky in my old age, but does anyone actually LIKE the music they blare in the O-rena? Near as I can tell, it all seems to revolve around slammin, bumpin, and booming.
• Proof the Magic started the game cold: the Mavs had 9 rebounds in the first four minutes.
• Brian Cook enters the game in the 1st quarter! Only good things can come of this!
• Here’s a crazy statistic: 5 players on the Mavericks roster have averaged over 20 points per game for a season at some point in their careers. The players are Dirk Nowitski, Jerry Stackhouse, Eddie Jones, Juwan Howard, and Josh Howard. A sixth player, Jason Terry, came extremely close with 19.7 points per game one season. I wonder if there has every been a team with that many one-time and current scorers on their roster.
• My sentiments at the start of the second half: “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
Magic vs. Lakers – Feb. 8th, 2008 (Loss 113-117)
• Wow! Lots of loud boos for Kobe Bryant during introductions!
• Jameer Nelson is back in the starting lineup. Not a big surprise. The point guard position is a study in the “first-to-worst” phenomenon. If you are not starting, then you are not playing. Unless your Keyon Dooling. He seems to be unaffected. It’s like those desk toys you see with the balls on strings. You lift up the ball on the end drop it and it hits the next ball but it is the ball on the other end that goes flying. Dooling is the middle ball, Nelson and Arroyo are the two balls on either ends, taking turns flying. Geez, did I just type all that? Let’s just move on.
• The Lakers are very tall now across the frontcourt: Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Radmanovic. It isn’t too often we come across a frontcourt as tall as Howard, Lewis, and Turk.
• There is a ridiculously large amount of Lakers jerseys, caps, and shirts in the audience. At one point in the first quarter, there were enough Lakers fans to start a very loud “MVP” chant while Kobe was at the line.
• It doesn’t do much good to score a record 44 points in the first period when you let the opposition score 33. I kinda wish we could stop the game right now because I don’t see this continuing.
• Ok, more on the Lakers fans…every time Kobe scores, the place erupts! I’m so disappointed.
Interesting bit of karma in the 2nd quarter: two quick fouls on Howard (total BS by the way) followed by two quick fouls on Kobe! Nice!!
• Proof that the Magic starters were in foul trouble: Pat Garrity and JJ Redick make first half appearances.
• I loved the exchange between JJ and Vujacic…I’m dying to know what Vujacic said to JJ to get him so riled up.
• You know what, I don’t mind admitting this: after all these years, I still love the Fat Guy.
• We still lost the game, but Keith Bogans played exceptional individual defense on Kobe. There is only so much you can do to that guy, but Bogans made him work a bit harder and kept him honest.
Magic vs. Cavs – Feb. 11th, 2008 (Loss 111-118)
• Another Magic sellout, and yet another crowd filled with jerseys, shirts, and caps from the visiting team. It is very frustrating to hear just as many people yell when the opponent scores as when we score.
• The best thing that came out of the first quarter is that the Magic tried to feed it into Dwight Howard and establish the post. In fact, there was only one three-point attempt!
• 2nd quarter: so, how quickly can a game turn? We go from an 8 point lead to start the 2nd to a 3 point deficit in less than 4 minutes.
• You know, I’d love to see the Magic get Udonis Haslem or David Lee. But I’d be pretty darn happy to have Drew Gooden back.
• Much like the other night against Kobe, our two guards are playing solid defense on LeBron James. However, our point guards are getting absolutely eaten alive by the much-maligned Larry Hughes.
• This game was over in the third quarter…too much Larry Hughes. I can’t believe I just typed that.
Magic vs. Nuggets – Feb 13th, 2008 (Win 109-98)
• We keep having these announced sell-outs…but where is everybody? I see thousands of empty seats.
• The Nuggets starting five is tremendous, yet they are only 8th in the East! This team is fighting it out with Golden State for the final playoff spot. This Nuggets team would be a top-4 seed in the East.
• So, do you think Howard is responding to his call out by SVG? In the first three minutes of the game he had 4 points, 5 rebounds, and a block.
• During a break they brought out this dance act from the Villages. Now I feel sorry for Davcivic.
• Howard’s 1st quarter stats: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks.
• Linas Kleiza…this guy killed us during the game in Denver. Can we convince Linas to go wait for the Great Pumpkin?
• Brian Cook just had an offensive put back! I wasn’t aware that he had a short game.
• Dooling and Cook were absolutely tremendous off the bench tonight...Cook should get 30 minutes a game if he can keep performing this well.
• It would appear that Rashard Lewis has decided to take over this game. ‘Bout time.
• I’m sorry, I know that you shouldn’t enjoy seeing your own player ejected, but I absolutely loved the fire that Maurice Evans showed in arguing a foul call and getting “T’d” up twice. We could use more passion like that and I believe it energized the team.
• Not the greatest home stand – only 2-3 – but at least we ended it on a positive note with great performances by Lewis and Howard.
I’m Just Saying...
As honored as I am to win the Garrity for Most Valuable Poster, I think that Marc Acres 3:16 was more deserving. Nonetheless, I’ll gladly hold this over his head for the next year.
Coming Soon!
A question and answer session with John Denton, Orlando Magic beat writer for the Florida Today and USA Today. Keep checking this space, you don’t want to miss it!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Friday, February 8, 2008, 2:25 PM
Star Gazing
You guys remember how last Summer we were all lamenting the fact that we didn’t have a “go-to” scorer? We said we needed someone like Vince Carter to be able to get us the crucial basket in the fourth quarter of a close game. We said that this was what was missing from our team. It was the one area that needed to be addressed in free agency. It was the need that was supposedly assuaged by the signing of Rashard Lewis.
Well, as it turns out, we have had our go-to scorer on our roster for four seasons now. Ironically, he didn’t reveal himself until after we had spent 100 million on Rashard Lewis. In the last 4 weeks or so, Hedo Turkoglu has transformed, literally before our eyes, from a versatile, all-around offensive player, into a bonafide star, capable of carrying his team if called upon to do so.
Matt Guokas, in his color commentary of Magic game television broadcasts, has taken to calling him “Mr. 4th Quarter.” This has become a popular title lately. Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and even Ben Gordon are all currently known as “Mr. Fourth Quarter” for their respective teams. With all due respect to those three great players, Turk has done some things lately for this team that makes him just as worthy of that moniker, at least in Magic-friendly territory. He is currently among the league leaders in 4th quarter scoring, averaging roughly 6 points in the final 12 minutes. Oh, here’s an interesting fact: while wearing a Magic uniform, Tracy McGrady’s average a then-record 8.6 points per 4th quarter during the 2002-03 season (The Elias Sports Bureau began keeping the statistic in 1997).
This season, Hedo Turkoglu has presented himself as a classic case of a player gaining confidence in his ability and having that increase confidence result in an exponential increase in his productivity on the court, especially at crunch time. Even though Turk didn’t make the all-star team this season (well, he still might), he has certainly played like one. He has won back-to-back Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards (a first for a Magic player) and has been on the tip of many tongues of late. In fact, you could argue that his not making the all-star team has created more buzz for him than if he had made it. He seems to be the consensus “biggest snub,” at least on the Eastern Conference side.
It is no coincidence that the Magic’s emergence from “the annual January slide” began when Turkoglu took his game up a notch. It was 10 games ago, against the Portland Trailblazers, who came in to Orlando as the hottest team in the league. In that 10 game span, the Magic have gone 8-2, and Hedo has averaged 22.7 points, 6.2 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game. His shooting has been a stellar 52% from the field, including an amazing 47% from 3-point land (why is this guy not in the 3 pt. shootout??).
What is surprising about his increased impact is that it hasn’t come with increased shots. In that 10 game span, Turkoglu took 152 shots from the field, for an average of 15.2 shots per game. His shot totals stayed consistent game-to-game as well, with a low of 13 and a high of 18. There was greater variation in the number of 3 point shots taken, with a low of 2 and a high of 8. Likewise, his free throw attempts fluctuated greatly. Twice in that 10 game span, he went to the line 12 times, but in four other games he went to line twice or less. This last statistic doesn’t really reflect Turkoglu’s aggressiveness because we all can see that he is just as likely to drive the lane for an easy lay-up as he is to camp-out around the arc. In fact, the games in which he shot more free throws were against physical teams with strong perimeter defense like Detroit and Boston. The games in which he had fewer attempts were against up-tempo offensive minded teams like Memphis.
What excites me about the upcoming playoffs is that we now have a player who should be able to not only keep us in a game, but help us get, and keep, a lead late in the fourth. We may get beat in a playoff game, but I just don’t see us getting blown out anymore.
This praise for Hedo Turkoglu is by no means a knock on Dwight Howard or Rashard Lewis. In fact, were it not for them, I’m not sure we would be seeing Turk becoming a star player. Dwight’s ability to secure the paint on defense while also becoming a greater focus on defense, has allowed Turkoglu to completely open up his game. Rashard Lewis being positioned on the opposite side of the key from Turk has forced most opponents to split their focus up. Ultimately, Dwight IS the Magic. Within two more seasons, his game should be polished enough that he can be counted upon late in games to get a basket when needed, doubly so if his free throw shooting continues to improve. But in the playoffs, we will still need a player who can score from anywhere on the court, pretty much anytime he wants.
The real question is what are the Orlando Magic prepared to do about Hedo Turkoglu’s future with the team? In an online chat yesterday, ESPN.com’s Chad Ford suggested moving Turk to get a PF. It is ludicrous to even consider trading him. Gaining a power forward is important, but at the expense of Turkoglu? No way! If anything, the Magic should already begin discussing what it might take to keep Hedo in Magic pinstripes. He is signed through 2010, but that last year is a player option. Does anyone honestly think that Turk won’t opt out in the Summer of ‘09, especially if he is possibly coming off his first all-star season?
So, how do you explain to Turk’s agent that despite the fact that his client is performing better than Rashard Lewis, he can not be offered a contract like Rashard Lewis. Based on next year’s salary of 6.8 million, Turkoglu could receive a “max” contract similar to what Dwight Howard just signed (starting salary of 13 million for 5 years). Now, I’m not suggesting that Turkoglu is a max contract player. But would he be willing to settle for let’s say, 11 million a year, if by that point Rashard Lewis will be making nearly 19 million? How ironic is it that our highest paid player will not even be our 2nd leading scorer?
Having Dwight Howard as a teammate, combined with the fact that we should be primed for a deep run in a year or two, should definitely help our case. Hedo seems to really like it here, after all, it was his choice to join the Magic. He has developed a great relationship with Dwight off the court and a tremendous rapport with him on the court. But at some point, business and logic have to come into the equation. Hopefully, the answer will make sense.
For now, I will stop dwelling on a cloudy future and will instead continue to enjoy watching our new star come into his own.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Monday, January 28, 2008, 3:36 PM
Hedo the Hero
Like every other Magic fan, I was bummed Friday night while I watched the Magic lose to the Pistons in Detroit. I knew that the only thing that could make me feel better about that loss was a victory over the Boston Celtics at the Amway Arena. Despite a nail-biter of a game, and losing a 16 point second half lead, the Magic pulled out a second victory over the East-leading Boston Celtics with a clutch 3-pointer by Hedo Turkoglu at the buzzer. It was the first time in two seasons that an NBA game ended with a walk-off 3 pointer.
I have already heard people handicapping this victory because Kevin Garnett didn’t play. Even Coach Stan Van Gundy said that it was “one of those where you come here and you say ‘I’ll take it.’” I personally think that having Garnett out made it even more imperative that the Magic get the win, even if it was on a buzzer beater. Imagine what people would be saying about the Magic if we had lost to the Celtics at home without Garnett? Sure, an easy victory over the Celtics would have been preferable, and a close victory over the Celtics with KG would have been sweeter, but clearly the Celtics are still a good club without Kevin Garnett, and let’s not forget that we already beat these guys once when they were fully loaded.
After the shot, many of the other media reps were joking that Hedo had just given the Eastern Conference coaches something to think about as they turned in the all-star ballots. What we didn’t expect was to have Stan Van Gundy joke (or half-joke?) about that very thing:
“It was an iso, and they came up and trapped him. We were kidding him afterwards – I was half kidding, I think everybody else was kidding – that the three bad shots he took prior to that helped him gauge the distance. He’s usually a little more solid than that. We kept running pick-and-rolls with he and Carlos and we weren’t very solid down the stretch. I think he wanted to set it up so he could hit a miracle and make his final bid for the All-Star Game. If we win by seven, no drama and he doesn’t make that good of a case, but take those three bad shots, let him get back in the game and he’s got the drama. I think that was his plan. I hope there was actually a plan to it.”
Van Gundy said all of the above in a very casual, almost relieved manner. You could tell that as upset as he seemed near the end of the game, especially with the defense on Ray Allen’s last shot, he was glad that things went his way this time.
As for Turkoglu, he is still a long-shot to make the all-star team as a reserve. Apparently, Doc Rivers voted for him, but that’s only because he can’t vote for Paul Pierce. He still probably needs to perform like this for another full season before the coaches will give him his first bid. It’s a shame though, because wouldn’t it be awesome to see Hedo throw a sweet alley-oop to Dwight Howard over Tim Duncan and Amare Stoudemire? In fact, that possibility is probably the best reason to send Turk to the game! Certainly the national television audience, and the NBA, would love to see that! Especially since Dwight Howard will be coming off of a win in the Slam Dunk Contest!
For now, Hedo Turkoglu may have to be satisfied with being “Mr. 4th Quarter” for the Orlando Magic.
Observations from Media Seating – Magic vs. Celtics •Yes, Fendi, I jumped the railing again!
•With Kevin Garnett out, do the Magic have any excuse not to win this game?
•In the first quarter, it appeared that the Celtics without KG were better than the Magic without Dwight Howard, who sat early because of two personal fouls. The Celtics just had much more energy.
•Hey, the Sentinel’s Mike Bianchi is here! I guess the Celtics are a big enough opponent.
•Doc Rivers seems extremely relaxed. He must have enjoyed the short drive from Winter Park for today’s game.
•Brian Scalabrine gives hope to us all.
•Speaking of the Celtics, there were some decent sized pockets of green in the stands, but not nearly as bad as the Pistons game.
•The Magic picked up their energy and defensive intensity in the 2nd quarter. Why can’t they do that in the 1st quarter!?
•Turkoglu is playing great defense on Paul Pierce. However, Pierce is getting the refs respect and is getting the calls. Meanwhile, the refs are giving Pierce much more leeway on the defensive end against Turk, Pierce is all over him!
•Stop me if you’ve heard this before: the NBA refs have less integrity than any other sport’s refs, even before the Tim Doneghy fiasco.
•3rd quarter: just who is this “Brian Cook” guy?!
•Even though Dwight Howard went 6-6 from the line, I still don’t think we should be chanting “MVP” while he is at the line!! Let’s keep it quiet people! He’s shooting 60% on the season!
•When Jesus Shuttlesworth hit the 3 to tie it at the end, it seemed half the arena stood up and cheered. It is very frustrating to see that many fans for the opponents at our home games. If you are a season ticket holder and you sell your seats for these big games, please, please make sure that the person buying your tickets is a MAGIC fan!!
Who Needs College?
As a product and proponent of continuing education, I like hearing about players staying in college to get more experience. But in looking at the Magic roster, it seems that for our team at least, less college is more. The three primary contributors for the Orlando Magic – Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, and Rashard Lewis – have no US college basketball experience.
There are other teams who can claim two of their top players – Houston, Golden State, LA Lakers, and San Antonio – but no team has a top-three with the kind of star power the Magic have, combined with no college experience.
Sunshine State Discount?
I need to provide a brief follow-up to my last blog about Carlos Arroyo and his potential decision to stay with or leave the Magic. In speaking to some Magic staffers, I found out that a desire to stay in Florida might be a very important factor in the free agent status of both Arroyo and Keyon Dooling if both of them are still on the Magic roster this off-season. Neither player is interested in uprooting their lives and families from our State if it can be avoided. Considering that there are only two franchises in this State, it might limit the options for both players, especially if both find themselves competing for money from the Magic.
At the Buzzer
During the timeout after Ray Allen’s three-pointer to tie the game, I went and stood in the tunnel behind the Magic’s bench to watch the last play. I was standing behind Nick Anderson and he was yelling “get it to Turk!” When Turk hit the shot, I couldn’t help but be excited and Nick was extremely excited! He turned toward me screaming and pumping his fists and then he saw me and he raised his arm and gave me a high-five! Are you kidding me! I get high-fived by my favorite player of all time while standing near the Magic’s bench watching the Magic beat the best team in the league on a last-second shot? I mean, come ON! I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Friday, January 25, 2008, 4:55 PM
"CARLOS'S CHOICE?"
With the exception of JJ Redick, no Magic player is discussed more than Carlos Arroyo. Not Rashard Lewis, not Hedo Turkoglu, and not even Dwight Howard. The only reason that Jameer Nelson might be close is that it is often hard to discuss Carlos Arroyo without Nelson coming into the conversation and vice versa.
For over a year now, we have speculated about Arroyo’s future here in Orlando. This speculation has been almost exclusively from the perspective of the Orlando Magic, i.e., what the Magic’s plans are for Arroyo. But it got me to wondering about what Arroyo himself wants.
I think the idea that Carlos may CHOOSE not to be here next year is one that probably deserves more discussion.
Let's face it, there will be a team (or teams) that needs an upgrade at the point guard position and may be willing to offer Arroyo the starting spot. He might even be offered the Mid Level Exception (crazier things have happened) and be offered more than 3 years. Regardless of the off-the-court attractions to playing here – close to home, many of his fellow Puerto Ricans residing in the area – Carlos is a professional basketball player and a very competitive one. Ultimately, the opportunity to play – and lead – more will weigh heavily in his decision.
So, if the Magic choose NOT to trade him during this season, things will get touchy in negotiations. There is no reason for Arroyo to take less money than he is currently making (4 million), and conversely, why would the Magic pay him the same amount of money per year or more (with more years added) when we just invested so much money in our starter? After all, despite Nelson’s injury, and Arroyo’s solid play in place of Nelson, Otis will most certainly stick with his decision to extend Nelson and keep him as our starter, right? Right?!
I wouldn’t be surprised if Carlos Arroyo is traded, and I also wouldn’t be surprised if he walks this Summer and we get nothing for him. Faced with those two options, I would rather trade him and hopefully get a contributing player in return.
Observations from Media Seating - Magic vs. Pistons
•No one finds Howard in the lane better than Turkoglu.
•19 seasons in this town and there are WAY too many people cheering on the Pistons.
•Barely 10 minutes into the game, and already SVG is incensed about the Magic’s defense.
•I tell you what, if you can’t play team defense, you don’t get playing time for the Pistons.
•Whatever SVG said to the team about its defense it worked. The Magic allowed 30 points in the 1st quarter but then locked it down in the 2nd, only allowing 19. There was a similar trend in the 2nd half: the Magic allowed 29 in the 3rd quarter but only 22 in the 4th.
•The Magic appeared hungry for most of the night. You could tell how much this game mattered to them.
•I’m just curious, but in getting Primoz Brezec, didn’t the Pistons basically get Darko back, except, you know…better?
•I almost lost my voice screaming when Chauncey Billups took 15 steps before nailing that 3 pointer to tie the game. Almost.
•Thankfully, I had a tiny bit of my voice left, because I used it all up when Rashard Lewis rattled that buzzer beater home. Down go the Pistons!
At The Buzzer
You know what would make next Monday feel just like a Friday? Being able to walk into work with the euphoria of victories over the Pistons and Celtics still fogging up my brain.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Wednesday, January 16, 2008, 3:37AM
ONE MAGICAL NIGHT
...and to top it all off, the Magic won convincingly!
I had told myself that Magic Message Board Night at the O-Rena wasn’t going to be a complete success unless the Magic pulled off the victory at home. With our recent slide (5 losses in 6 games), I needed to see the Magic protect their home court against an inferior opponent. The last two home losses were just plain agonizing. We needed a blow-out, and the good guys delivered!
It helped make for one of the most enjoyable experiences I have ever had at a Magic game. I can honestly say that my fellow Magic Message Board members that attended would agree with me. I had been building this event up in my head for months, and I am glad to say that my imagination did not get the best of me. The Orlando Magic pulled out all the stops for us.
Our very own RockChalk Magic deserves big-time kudos for going to the Magic organization on our behalf and arranging for this event. He is our biggest proponent within the Magic organization and his affinity for the online community we’ve created was demonstrated in last night’s event.
Special thanks also needs to go out to Kristin Dubinski, who was responsible for much of the logistics and coordination for the event. Kristy Cannon, a Magic web designer who works under RockChalk, was also on hand to talk with us about the message boards. Let’s just say that some of the things that occur on the boards end up being, um, highly entertaining for the Magic staffers!
Since I know many of you truly wish you could have attended, and others of you are curious about what you chose to miss, I will give you a play-by-play of the night’s festivities.
At around 5:30 or so, once the majority of attendees had arrived at the VIP entrance on the East side of the Amway Arena, we were led up into the elevator to the private reception area above the concourse level, all the while being treated like the VIPs that we were! We were each provided with a wrist band, a raffle ticket, and two drink tickets redeemable for soda or bottled water. The reception area included a cash bar and a snack platter including at least 6 different kinds of snacks. I apologize for not being able to name them. Frankly, once I saw the kettle chips, I forgot about anything else. Let me tell, I can tear up some kettle chips…and I did!
Shortly after arriving, I received a text message from the O-Rena Chicken Tender Basket. He says that he petitioned the Magic to be included in the festivities, but was denied. The reason given was “we need something to build up to for future events.” Makes perfect sense to me!
Off to the side of the seating area was a table loaded with various giveaway prizes. Prizes included Magic t-shirts, Redick jerseys, practice jerseys, bobbleheads, a Dwight sticker dunk figurine, autographed books, autographed photos, and a basketball autographed by the entire team. I don’t think that any attendee went away empty handed.
After we had been sitting enjoying the food, the drinks, and the conversation for a bit, two of the Magic dancers arrived, Kim M. and Deanna, accompanied by two of the “Magic Minis” dancers. They hung out with us the entire time, posing for photographs and also handing out the raffle prizes. They were extremely personable and seemed to appreciate that we were a special kind of Magic fan. Of course, the only downside of meeting Kim and Deanna was that it reminded me how much I miss Former Magic Dancer April (sorry, give me a moment to collect myself...OK, let’s just move on).
About this time, RockChalk himself showed up. He introduced himself to those of us he had not previously met and he thanked us for our support of the team and our continuing dedication to the official Orlando Magic Message Boards. We made sure to express to him how much we appreciate what he does for us.
Next to arrive were the latest stars of the Interwebs: the Magic’s very own Dante and Galante! Both gentlemen made their way around to all the attendees, answering questions and thanking us for being such great fans. It should not surprise any of you to hear that both Dante and George were extremely approachable and their personalities are much like how they are on their show (I personally could have used a few more “Anchorman” references, but there is always next time!). Both of them periodically visit our boards and are well-aware of how knowledgeable our members are.
Last, but certainly not least, Nick Anderson arrived. He immediately began introducing himself to all of us, shaking our hands and thanking us for coming. He was candid, he was honest, he was sincere, he was just plain real! At one point there were about 7 or 8 of us gathered around him, listening to him and asking him questions. He spoke his mind about the team, recent moves, and about the state of the game, in general. He went so far as to mention a player for another team that he feels we should do anything we can to acquire. He expressed his personal desire to get into coaching one day. He even talked about Darrell Armstrong and what makes him a special player.
At one point, the universe almost exploded when Magic Message Board member “Nick Anderson 4 President” was introduced to the real Nick Anderson! Do you remember that girl from American Idol that balled Mississippi River tears when she met Sanjaya? Well, that pretty much describes NA4P when he met his idol.
At no time was Nick Anderson in a hurry to leave. He made time for all of us. He even “MC-ed” the raffle giveaways. He posed for photos and signed autographs. When I told him that since I was 15 years old, he has been not only my favorite Magic player, but my favorite NBA player ever, he seemed genuinely pleased to hear it. I won a Magic t-shirt in the raffle and I later presented it to Nick to autograph. I will treasure that shirt for many years to come, not just because it was autographed by Nick, but because of the circumstances surrounding it.
About 10 minutes before tip-off, Nick told us that is was time to go down and cheer the Magic to victory over the Bulls. He said that we had just come off an unsuccessful road trip and that a win tonight was crucial. With that, we all went to our respective seats
I had seats with Marc Acres 3:16. Perhaps we were still caught up in the ecstatic throws of euphoria from our one-on-one time with Nick Anderson. Or maybe it was that our eyes hadn’t fully recovered from the constant sheen coming off of Hutchence’s blue wig. But whether it was euphoria or sheen, Marc Acres and I were unable to locate the snack area where they sell the OCTB. We literally looped the entire arena – me in a near-panic – before finding it. If that wasn’t bad enough, at one point I found myself going up the wrong steps, a good five sections over from where our seats were. To his credit, Marc did not make fun of me, even though he would have been well within his rights to do so.
After the first quarter, we were able to relocate to seats down in the lower bowl next to board members Hutchence and Human Highlight Film. We then proceeded to enjoy a solid, well-rounded performance from the Magic men. Once the game ended, we were invited down, along with several other attendees including “ST since 90” to mid-court to have our photo taken with several Magic dancers. The photo-op would have turned out better if Hutchence had not spent the whole time hunting for a drop of James Augustine’s sweat.
In all, I would estimate that between 25 and 30 people (including Magic staffers) attended and enjoyed the night’s festivities. Rock Chalk has already hinted that he plans on scheduling similar events in the future. Let me say emphatically that this was a great time. The Magic organization really did good by us. I would strongly encourage you to attend the next event, you likely won’t forget the experience.
I would like to close by providing you with some quotes from some of your fellow Magic Message Board members who attended the event (I apologize that I was unable to get to all of you):
You can also go here to read other comments from those that attended: http://orlandomagiczone.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/88910298...221050674#9221050674
Human Highlight Film: “I thought the get-together was really good. Nick Anderson was a real treat. It was nice to get to chat with him. He was very personable. We got inside info on what it was like to be a player. It was nice also to have the cheerleaders here, they encouraged us to cheer. It was also nice to put a face to the name of the people we are typing with on the boards.”
Marc Acres 3:16: “The highlight for me was the one-on-one time with Nick Anderson. We got to talk with him and get his thoughts on things…not canned responses that you would get through the news. If everybody knew what kind of interactions you were going to get and what things were going on here, they probably would make more effort to show up. I definitely think the Magic should hold this type of event again.”
Hutchence: “Nick Anderson was the highlight for me. Nick Anderson is really cool. I like him a lot. And he had a nice suit on. And a really cool black tie. I would attend again, even if Nick Anderson didn’t come.”
Rdeezy: “It was a pretty nice event, got some free snacks. Got to meet Nick Anderson which was pretty cool. We won a basketball signed by all the Magic players, which was pretty awesome!”
CaseyMullen: “I think it would be cool if more of the users came out and made it bigger and better. I think we should get back on the boards and say how cool it was and try to get more people to come.”
The Solution: “This is only the beginning.”
The End.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Monday, January 14, 2008, 9:37AM
THE HITS KEEP COMING
It is more difficult to write after a loss…or in this case, a couple of losses. I think of all these things I want to say – things I noticed, both good and bad – but then the buzzer sounds, and the score isn’t in our favor. Finding my way to the computer to say how I’m feeling seems much more of a chore. Anything can be an easy distraction, even yard work!
I was excited that I was going to be able to sit in the comfort of my Brighthouse home Friday night and watch the Magic take on the Denver Nuggets in high definition on Sun Sports. As it turns out, I watched a very exciting game, maybe the most exciting I’d seen on TV all season. But we unraveled at about the 5 minute mark, and I, and every other Magic fan, was left with a horrible, empty feeling. There was a tiny, very tiny part of my brain telling me that maybe it was a good thing that I was unable to watch the following night’s loss to the Utah Jazz on Fox Sports Net. But, that can’t be right, can it? What is this season coming to? The average Magic fan is starting to really take it on the chin. First the whole FSN thing, then the Ariza trade, now the slide. How much more can we take?
Since I did watch the loss to the Nuggets, I would like to point out a few things that I noticed. I am not foolish enough to think that this game is indicative of an entire season, I can’t say that anything occurred is evidence of a trend. But I did notice things that gave me pause, and I also noticed things that made me excited about our future.
First off, Jameer Nelson is not an effective defender at the point guard position. What's that you say? How am I coming so late to this information? I’ve known that Nelson will get eaten alive against Billups, Paul, Williams, Nash, Davis, and Kidd. I also know that he will struggle against second-tier point guards like Parker, Felton, Harris, and others that are either slightly better or equal to him. But I was intrigued by his matchup in this game and more than any other game this year, I wanted to pay close attention to how Nelson performed on defense against a point guard – Anthony Carter – whom he should have had a better-than-average chance against. As it turned out, Anthony Carter looked a bit more like Tim Hardaway in his matchup against Nelson.
Carter is certainly not faster than Nelson, but Carter was able to out maneuver Nelson anytime he wanted to. Numerous times Carter found himself wide open for a jumpshot when Nelson was at least 15 feet away defending a spot at which no offensive player was positioned. I don’t think that Nelson lacks the physical tools to be a good defender - in fact, he can probably still become an adequate defender - but I do think that he spends too little time focusing on his defensive assignment. I don’t know how else to explain his being caught out of position so many times. It seemed as though he were wandering around aimlessly at times.
Another thing I noticed in the loss to the Nuggets is energy, lots of energy, from the shooting guard position. Our backcourt has struggled during the last 20 games and it was nice to see solid effort from Maurice Evans in the starting role, and also from Keith Bogans off the bench. As I stated earlier, this game’s performance doesn’t mean the position is in good shape, but at least we know we won’t be out-hustled. Of course, I’d feel so much better if we had won five of the last six, instead of having lost five of the last six.
Finally, I was impressed with our overall offensive execution. Oh sure, Turkoglu faded in and out of the game, and Nelson could have shot the ball better, but our team percentages from the floor, from the arc, and from the line, were great and the game truly came down to a better team beating us in the final minutes on their home court. Prior to that, I was very impressed with the way the Magic never flinched when the Nuggets made their runs. The stepped up and knocked down shots to counter everything that the Nuggets did.
It is also nice to see Rashard Lewis showing up again. He has scored 20 points or more in the last four games and is shooting at a high percentage. Now if we can just figure out a way to have his big games coincide with more wins!
Observations from the Barcalounger (Magic @ Nuggets)
I apologize to all my thousands of readers out there...OK, what, I should be more realistic? OK, I apologize to all my hundreds of readers out there...what, still no good? Dozens? How 'bout dozens of readers? OK fine...Mom, I apologize to you for not doing the Observations this year. Please send the blame to Fox Sports Net for not allowing me to watch as many games on TV! OK, now on to the Observations.
I could be wrong, but I think I saw Chef performing a roundhouse during warm-ups.
Sun Sports showed a stat that said George Karl has 24 victories against the Magic…I hate it when they show ominous stats like that before a game!
Another interesting stat from Sun Sports: the Magic have completed all their West Conference road games in the first 41 games. I wonder if that has that happened before.
I mentioned Maurice Evans' hustle...in the first quarter he grabbed an offensive rebound between four Nuggets and laid it back in.
The Denver Nuggets lead the NBA in steals, blocks, and average tattoos per starter.
In the first quarter, Howard spinned against Camby and laid it in. Magic TV play-by-play man David Steele exclaimed “a vicious spin-move by Howard!” Great call, but it left my imagination trying to reconcile that image.
I was a bit surprised to see Dooling off the bench first...you remember Dooling right? Our best non-point guard point guard on the roster?
I think the refs are still trying to figure out how to officiate Dwight Howard. They seem to give his defenders way too much leeway. They are allowed to be very physical.
Considering that the Denver Nuggets are coached by Charlie Brown, is it any wonder that they have a player named Linas?
Anyone else notice that when our shooters are staged around the perimeter, not a single one of them crashes the boards?
It was nice to see Dooling hit that prayer 3 pointer to end the first half, but that doesn’t excuse Turkoglu giving the ball up to Dooling with three seconds left at the end of the first quarter.
George Karl, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith...so, do you think the Nuggets employ a good shrink?
I heard David Steel and Matt Guokas say that the reason the players were slipping frequently was because of condensation from an NHL game the night before. Anyone know what this NHL thing is?
The Nuggets rotate Anthony Carter and Earl Boykins at the point guard position. And we thought we had problems at the point? Oh wait...the Nuggets won...never mind.
Linas Kleiza may look like a cross between Mario Kasun and Marcin Gortat, but he plays like a cross between David Lee and Brad Miller.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 3rd quarter. Great effort on both sides…great competition, and very exciting.
Well, it turns out that Carlos Arroyo can’t guard Anthony Carter either!
Magic Message Board Night - 2 Nights Away!
Not sure how many of you are going to make it, but I am very excited about the event that Rock Chalk and the Magic are putting on for us faithful Magic Message Board members. It should be fun and I think everyone will enjoy placing faces with screen names. Of course, it will be all the more sweet if we can get a much needed victory by knocking off the Chicago Bulls! See you guys there!
At The Buzzer
Congratulations to Dwight Howard on becoming a father for the first time. Babies represent the hope of good things to come. The Magic could sure use some of that!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted By Live or Die Magic | January 8th, 2008, 9:50 AM
"Point Guarded"
Jameer Nelson: "I'm a shoot-first point guard, so I have to get back to what I do. I was more aggressive [Monday in Chicago], offensively and defensively."
This is a very telling recent quote from Jameer Nelson. I could be wrong, but this is the first time I remember Nelson actually admitting this. Irregardless of who the other PGs are on the roster, if Nelson is open about the kind of offensive player he is, it makes the potential line-up possibilities a bit more manageable.
Nelson could be a huge asset to this team as a scorer, if he is accepting of that role. Carlos Arroyo could be a huge asset to this team as a set-up man, if he is accepting of that role.
The problem is, none of the point guards – Nelson, Arroyo, and Keyon Dooling – have been consistently effective since our 16-4 start. Last week, it appeared that we had found a change that was working. Arroyo started, effectively leading the team in the opening quarter, and Nelson finished off the game, being the offensive lightning off the bench in the fourth quarter. This worked tremendously in close victories over Charlotte and Chicago.
But then the experiment seemed to backfire in a close loss (at HOME!!) to New Jersey last week. Oh sure, Arroyo was effective in the first and third quarters, where he played all 24 minutes. Likewise, Nelson was effective in the 3rd quarter, where he played all 12 minutes. But the team unraveled in the fourth quarter when the 39 year old Darrell Armstrong absolutely schooled the 25 year old Nelson and the 28 year old Arroyo.
In the loss to Houston two nights later, Coach Stan Van Gundy decided to switch out his entire backcourt by starting two point guards. Let’s just say that the performances of Arroyo and Dooling in starting roles made one wonder if a Jameer Nelson / Keith Bogans backcourt isn’t the way to go. SVG all but said so himself.
It seems clear to me that the main problem with the Magic’s backcourt personnel isn’t talent. No, the problem is that they don’t seem to be able to consistently play with the talent they have. For two years I have said that part of the reason for this is that no backcourt player has been able to average a high enough number of minutes to display some consistency. While I still think this could be the case, I am starting to wonder if there aren’t additional factors at play here. I am at a loss as to what those factors might be. Considering that both Carlos Arroyo and Keyon Dooling are in contract years, you would think they would have additional incentive to play as hard and as well as consistent as possible. Nelson, with a larger than expected payday in hand, doesn’t have that excuse.
Does anyone actually think that Nelson, Arroyo, AND Dooling are all going to be on the Magic roster for the start of the 2008-2009 season? Clearly the point guards we have are not getting it down night in and night out. I would argue that even if the Magic win 50-plus games, and change will need to be made. I still could see the Magic packaging Arroyo's expiring contract with another asset to try to get a big man. Dooling could be used in a similar fashion. Since Nelson’s contract makes him less attractive to other teams, he is the one most likely to remain. If a point guard can be acquired who is capable of starting, leading the team, and providing consistent playmaking and defense, then Nelson suddenly looks quite appealing and effective as instant offense off the bench.
But here’s the rub: to get a player like that, you have to pay for it. We already have Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and now Nelson making big money. Pretty soon, we will need to pay Hedo Turkoglu big money, and oh yeah, we still need a power forward! Seems to me it will be extremely difficult to accomplish all those moves.
Otis, I hope you have your sleeves rolled up!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted By Live or Die Magic | January 2nd, 2008, 12:28 PM
"The Magic Is Still Here"
So is the dream over? Should we even bother caring anymore? Was it just a brief fling, an early Winter’s dalliance? Did the promise and hope of the season disappear faster than a Jameer Nelson coast-to-coast layup?
My memory is hazy, but I vaguely remember this Magic team starting out 16-4 and being the jewel in the NBA’s crown in November. But if you take your cue from the mood and sentiment of the average Magic fan, or at least the ones that have been posting on the team’s official forums lately, it would seem the world has ended, Otis Smith has signed Brian Cook to a 6 year, 60 million dollar contract, and the O-Rena just ran out of chicken tender baskets.
Meanwhile, an imperfect, yet much improved Magic team still sits atop the Southeast Division, still owns an impressive 13-4 road record, and is still on pace for the best Magic season in 10 years. Oh, and by the way, they are on a three-game winning streak, including two at home. I’m not going to gloss over the impurities – they are numerous – but as many of us Magic fans feared, the fast start led to even faster revisions of expectations for this year’s team. But despite the fact that team defense has been rarely evident in the last few weeks, while opposing defenses are becoming more adept at clogging up the Magic’s inside/outside game, the Magic are still learning on the fly and making slow, but steady strides.
Two things that have stood out in the past few weeks – one a positive, and one a negative – have been the improved all-around play of Hedo Turkoglu and the poor progress being shown by Jameer Nelson.
If there is one thing that is most disconcerting to me about the recent defensive deficiencies, it is that the Magic players themselves seem to be accepting it. It is one thing to acknowledge and recognize a weakness for the purpose of improving it, but as evidenced from multiple pre-game and post-game quotes from Magic players, they seem to be resigned to the fact that defense will be a liability all season long. Now, the recent winning streak has produced some small improvement in this area (though not against Dwyane Wade!) but the victories are against teams suffering from injuries or all-around poor play.
But the Magic have gotten back on track in one crucial area: we are beating the teams we should be beating. Miami, New York, and Charlotte all played hard against us and it took all four quarters (and then some) to get the victories, but we did get the victories. The victories also came in the same manner as our fast start: strong ball movement from the forward position, Howard dominating the paint offensively and defensively, and the timely hitting of big shots.
Upcoming games against the Bulls, Nets, and Rockets are crucial for padding the victory total before we head out West again. But I think that we should be quite proud of our team for being 10 games over .500 after a 32 games.
Bringing the Happy Back
After a few terse press conferences lately in which SVG took everyone but the beat writers themselves to task for the poor defensive performances displayed by the Magic in recent losses, it was refreshing to see a calm and possibly even happy Stan Van Gundy enter the media room after Saturday night’s victory over the Charlotte Bobcats. I could be wrong, but at some point he even made a joke about how we only allowed a season high by Jason Richardson as opposed to the career high a night earlier from Dwyane Wade.
SVG went on to compliment his team and claimed that the outcome was a “good win.” He was guarded in his praise of Carlos Arroyo after his 2nd start of the season ahead of an injured Jameer Nelson. He stated that Arroyo played well in the 1st half and well near the end, but that he still saw problems through the bulk of the middle quarters. He did praise Arroyo for his defense on three consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter. SVG seemed to hedge on any commitment to continue to start Arroyo upon Nelson’s return (Note: Carlos Arroyo did get the start over an available Nelson against the Bulls on December 31st.).
All in all, it was a brief news conference, but long enough to for SVG to show some relief that his team is showing some signs of life.
At the Buzzer
After this most recent victory over the Bobcats, I feel safe in stating that it appears Dwight Howard is dominating the “Orlando #1 / Charlotte #2” rivalry between himself and Emeka Okafor even more than Shaquille O’Neal dominated his rivalry with Zo Mourning.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted By Live or Die Magic | December 7th, 2007, 4:00PM
Wouldn’t You Pay To See This Dunk?
After a four day break, the road weary Magic return home tonight to take on the Indiana Pacers, featuring a rejuvenated Jermaine O’Neal. To help mark the occasion, the Orlando Magic organization are giving away a Dwight Howard figurine to the first 5000 fans arriving for tonight’s game. What makes this figurine special is that it depicts Dwight Howard performing his now famous “sticker dunk” from the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. I don’t think that anyone can argue that this was one of the best, coolest, dunks by a contestant that didn’t even advance past the opening round!
Dwight Howard suffered from the fact that there is a stigma out there that says big men aren’t as impressive while dunking since they are already so close to the rim. It also didn’t help that the judges of the contest were all guards and small forwards. Even more, it appeared that the judges didn’t even realize what Dwight had done until after they had already given their scores!
Despite the unsatisfactory experience, Howard has indicated that he would like to compete in the 2008 Slam Dunk Competition. It has been reported that he will again request the league to allow him to raise the height of the rim for at least two of his dunks. Apparently he intends to try to do a full 360 degree spin prior to dunking at a height of 12 feet. He also will try to place the ball between his legs while dunking at 11 ½ feet. He made these same requests last year, but was denied by the league. The reason given was something along the lines of “that would veer too far away from the current standards of our game.”
Are you kidding me? It is the Slam Dunk Contest! It was created to showcase a particular talent of many NBA players that was not as easily showcased in actual live NBA games. By its very nature, the Dunk Contest exists outside the parameters of the standard NBA competitive rule book!
Here is a list of things that are not permitted during a live NBA game but have been allowed during the NBA Slam Dunk Contest:
• A player wearing a blindfold
• A player jumping over a cardboard cutout
• A player jumping over a chair
• A player dunking while still wearing his warm-up jacket
• A player dunking from out-of-bounds
• A player dunking two balls at once
• Dozens of players traveling and double dribbling
• Dozens of players taunting after dunking
There are other examples that I could mention, but you get my point. I fail to see how allowing a player to raise the rim to perform a dunk is any more outlandish that having chairs on the basketball court!
Now here is the big question…can you see yourself being anywhere else, doing anything else, or watching anything else while that dunk contest is going on? Just think of how strange, yet awe inspiring it would be to see a player elevating two feet beyond the normal rim to slam home a 360 jam!
The NBA is a marketing-savvy organization. The NBA also has a strong business sense and certainly is in the habit of making money. Likewise, the networks that the NBA is in partnership with (TNT and ESPN) are no strangers to self-promotion. Imagine the buzz there would be if it were announced prior to All-Star Weekend that the NBA had granted permission to Dwight Howard to perform dunks that had never been performed before. They wouldn’t even have to specifically state that the rim would be raised. We would all know what is coming, but for the casual fan or to fans of the other teams, it might still create a sense of mystery about exactly what Dwight had planned. You’d better believe that those fans would make sure to tune in! Why isn’t the NBA and its partners all over this? Add to the fact that the Magic in general (and Dwight Howard specifically) are the darlings of the league right now and you have instant ratings…big ratings!
I do hope that Howard competes in the Slam Dunk Contest in February. Just as importantly, I hope that the NBA realizes the opportunity they have before them to show the fans something they have never seen before, something that they wouldn’t soon forget, and something that would only serve to increase the NBA’s popularity, while in no way harming the game’s integrity.
Sorry, I just have to say it again…a 360 degree jam on a 12 foot rim!! Are you kidding me!?
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted By Live or Die Magic | December 4th, 2007, 5:00PM
"KINGS OF THE ROAD"
With all apologies to Roger Miller, the Magic have become the Kings of the Road during the first fourth of the 2007-2008 NBA season. Thirteen of their first twenty games of the season have been away from the friendly confines of the Amway Arena, yet the Magic are making themselves at home from Seattle to New York City.
The Magic sport an 11-2 road record. To put this in perspective, last year, the Magic notched their 11th road victory in their 27th game away from Orlando. What is even more impressive about their road record is that it includes an impressive 6-2 mark against Western Conference teams. While victories against Seattle and Minnesota could be laughed off by some, you certainly can’t discount quality wins against the Lakers, the Warriors, and the Hornets. The two road losses to Western Conference teams were against the Suns and the Spurs, the teams with the two best records in the West. The game against the Suns came down to the very end, and frankly, a bad call was the difference. The Spurs game was tight going into the fourth and then the Spurs pulled away.
Since the national perception is that there are more quality teams out West, one way an Eastern Conference team can measure itself is by looking at it’s record against Western conference teams. Specifically, I will look at the fifteen road games against the West. We have played eight so far and have gone 6-2. The seven games remaining are against the following teams, in no particular order: Utah, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, LA Clippers, and Sacramento. I say that we win the games against the last three mentioned. I think we can split the games against the first four, with our best chances coming against Denver and Houston. So, if we win five of our remaining road games against the West, we will finish with an 11-4 road record against the supposed “better” conference. Viewing this record as a microcosm of the season, I think it bodes well for where we will stand come mid-April.
Upon Further Review
I finally have had the chance to watch the two new acquisitions we received from the LA Lakers in the Trevor Ariza trade. Although I still miss Ariza, I must say that I am pleased with the early returns from Maurice Evans and Brian Cook.
I remember when we traded Mike Miller and Ryan Humphrey to the Memphis Grizzlies for Drew Gooden and Gordan Giricek. Shortly after the trade, Giricek had a huge game against the Dallas Mavericks and Mavs coach Don Nelson said that he would have traded Miller straight up for Giricek. Granted, three years later no one would say that Giricek is a better player than Miller, but watching Maurice Evans play made me think that getting him by himself for Ariza might have been good enough.
I say this because, so far at least, Evans is giving us the same defensive “hustle” intensity that Ariza was known for while also providing an offensive spark that Ariza was still trying to develop. Most importantly, Evans is already averaging twice as many minutes than Ariza did; a clear sign that SVG has more confidence in him. His shooting percentage needs to improve, but I think it will as he gets more time in the system and becomes more comfortable.
Brian Cook has yet to play more than 9 minutes or score more than 5 points so far in his six games with the team. But just the threat of having a big man out at the 3-point line will pay dividends at some point this season.
At the Buzzer
Congratulations to Dwight Howard for winning November’s Eastern Conference Player of the Month award. Averaging 24.3 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks, while shooting 62% is as dominating a stat line as we have seen around here in a long time. But the best part is the 14-4 record that resulted from his performance.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted By Live or Die Magic, Thursday, November 29, 2007, 5:45PM
A WARM HOMECOMING
A warm homecoming is what I received upon returning from spending
Thanksgiving week with family up North where it was actually cold, with
the leaves falling as much as the temperature. I arrived back to
Orlando, greeting by 80 degrees and a hot house. No matter how long I
live here, I'll never get used to sweating in December.
A warm homecoming is what Rashard Lewis received last night in Seattle.
Lewis was concerned about how the fans would treat him, based on past
experiences with Seattle athletes and Seattle fans, not to mention the
recent not-so-warm reception given to Grant Hill upon his return to
Orlando. It turned out that Lewis actually had nothing to worry about as
he was given a warm welcome and even received an small ovation from the
crowd (Please note, after perusing the Seattle papers this morning, I
couldn't find anything negative written about Lewis, although one
columnist characterized Lewis' reception as "lukewarm.").
A warm homecoming is what the Magic will receive when they arrive back
in town next Friday night to play the Pacers at the Amway, sporting a
16-4 record (sorry, but I have a tough time seeing the Magic beating the
Suns in Phoenix. Incidentally, I have a tough time seeing any of the
Magic games!). I still am being stubborn and refuse to move off my
stance of waiting until January to get truly excited about our
exceptional record. The national pundits are not waiting. Just this
morning, two basketball "experts" at ESPN.com stated that we would
finish 2nd or 3rd in the East this year and that we were "for real,", in
part because of Dwight Howard's accelerated improvement.
Farewell Trevor, We Hardly Knew You!
I was as surprised as anyone when I read that the Magic had traded
Trevor Ariza to the LA Lakers. For the last 20 months, I had assumed
that Ariza was a part of our "core of the future." I thought Ariza would
eventually make his way into the regular rotation, if not as a starter,
then at least as the 6th man. His athleticism, defense, and nose for the
ball made him a good compliment to Dwight Howard. However, the one thing
that would have made him a great compliment to Howard - shooting - was
just not there. Of course, I don't know this for a fact, I'm not
watching the practices and seeing Ariza take 200 jump shots a day. I can
only take the word of Otis Smith and Stan Van Gundy that this is a move
that was necessary.
The players we received in return (the Battie injury exception allowed
us to perform the "2 for 1") both can list shooting as a primary skill.
I must admit that I have not seen either of these players actually play
for the Magic yet (between the holidays and the FSN dispute, I haven't
been able to watch the games) but from what I know about these players,
they will provide us a solid back-up shooting guard (who can defend and
shoot) and a big man who can nail the three. This sounds terrific on
paper. Since our offense under SVG is a classic inside/outside game,
these players should fit right in. But who's to say if either player
will have any more of a long-term future in Orlando than Trevor Ariza
had.
Part of the problem for me as a fan is that I have once again wasted
time investing emotionally in a young player who I thought was going to
wear Magic pinstripes for years to come. First Darko, now Ariza. The
little playing time that JJ Redick is receiving has me wondering just
how long he will remain in the Magic organization's plans.
Trades are part of the NBA. Teams are always tinkering with their
lineups. Even teams who win championships consider roster moves. After
all, Greg Popovitch considered replacing Tony Parker with Jason Kidd a
few years ago, despite the fact that the Spurs had just won a title with
Parker running point (of course, it turned out to be a good thing that
Kidd stayed put. Parker now has two more rings since then.). It would
just be nice to see how the Magic perform when they are not faced with
lineup and coaching staff changes each year.
Most fans think that another move is still coming before the trade
deadline. We are still in need of a back-up big man and we have expiring
contracts to offer. The fact that we are 14-3 and seemingly "for real"
might make Otis Smith less likely to make any significant changes to a
bench that might be finally finding it's groove. But then again, if you
told me a month ago that Trevor would be traded, I wouldn't have
believed it. Stay tuned!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando
Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the
views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
Posted by Live or Die Magic, Tuesday, November 13, 2007
I choose to think that the booing of Grant Hill was a cathartic release for Magic fans that had been waiting for seven years to collectively express any disappointment in what ended up being a costly move for the franchise.
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SUNBURNT
Well, let’s get the ugly part out of the way first. Grant Hill was booed. Loudly and incessantly booed. He was booed during player introductions, he was booed every time he touched the ball, and he was booed each time he checked into the game. Fans even brought signs to the game that stated their justification for booing him.
Before the game, several Magic employees were speculating about whether Hill would actually get booed. I said that it would absolutely happen. I said that it would only take one person to get it started and then others would follow. However, even I was surprised at how loud and ferocious the booing was, especially during introductions. The arena seemed to erupt when the booing began. It wasn’t one person starting it, followed by others; it was everyone at once and it ran throughout the arena like a wave. Grant Hill, always calm and composed, kept any surprise he might have felt to himself. He never reacted to the boos, even when they continued into the fourth quarter.
I know that the typical Magic fan took some heat for booing one of the classiest men in the NBA. But the Magic fans weren’t just booing Grant Hill, they were booing the heartache and broken promises of the last seven years. They were booing the weight of Grant Hill’s 93 million dollar contract. Essentially, they were booing an abstract. As much as Grant Hill physically represented the franchise and remained the face of the Magic in the eyes of the rest of the NBA (even while on the IR), he also was a constant reminder of an attempt to salvage a franchise that was devastated by Shaquille O’Neal’s departure. Eight years ago the team gained cap space by making trades for expiring contracts. They got the hottest name in the league to be the head coach. They shot as high as they could, almost bringing Tim Duncan to Orlando. In the end, a hobbling Grant Hill and an emerging Tracy McGrady would have to do. But from the beginning, the decision to bring Hill here was questioned. He was a classy guy, a sterling role model, but not a player on the court. But negativity was never directed at the man off the court, it was always reserved for the all-star that was supposed to be on the court.
The Magic teams of the Grant Hill era never won more than 44 games. They made the playoffs four out of seven seasons, but never advanced past the first round. After season four of the Grant Hill era, both Doc Rivers and Tracy McGrady were gone, just in time to see Grant Hill finally play most of a season.
It could be argued that the booing was partly due to the fact that Grant Hill chose to leave the team that paid him all that money so that he could chase a ring. Or perhaps he was booed because he now appears to be completely healthy, averaging well over 30 minutes a game in a fast moving, points-happy offense. It might even be because he seems to have added a three-point shot to his arsenal, something he rarely demonstrated here. It could be all those things, but I choose to give the Magic fan the benefit of the doubt. I choose to think that the booing of Grant Hill was a cathartic release for Magic fans that had been waiting for seven years to collectively express any disappointment in what ended up being a costly move for the franchise.
It was a slightly crude way to say goodbye, once and for all, to an era that began with feelings of earnest hope, but ended in unmet expectations. And as with any break-up, no matter how amicable, there are always hurt feelings, and there are sometimes those moments where we just need a good shout!
I’m just glad that the Phoenix Suns only visit once a season!
Hit the Road?
So, how soon do the Magic go back out on the road? The Magic had four great road victories in a row, sandwiched between two blow out losses at home. All kidding aside, I think the losses had more to do with who the Magic were playing than where the Magic were playing.
The fact remains, the Magic have beaten the teams they should have and have lost to the teams that are clearly superior. A real test of this theory will come tonight when the Magic take on the winless Supersonics at the Amway Arena. On paper, the Magic should be sitting their starters by midway through the third quarter. This is the type of game that crept up on the team last season. The storyline of Rashard Lewis playing his former team should be the only drama tonight. The Magic should get the quick win and then hit the road where they will meet two teams that represent the “competition” for a solid playoff spot this season: the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New Jersey Nets. Nothing would make this Magic fan happier than to see the Magic take a three game win streak into next Sunday’s big home matchup against the new look Boston Celtics.
Observations from Media Row: Magic vs. Suns
• Is it just me or do you think that Mike D’Antoni would look really freaky if he shaved his mustache?
• Hey, speaking of mustaches, who do you think works the “stache” better, D’Antoni or Stan Van Gundy? SVG has the classic porn stache happening, while D’Antoni has more of a trimmed, highway patrolman stache going on. Call it home cookin’ if you want, but I have to give it to Stan. D’Antoni has to spend too much time keeping his neat, and after all, does a stache even count if you can’t get food caught in it?
• In the first quarter, the Magic lost a rebound out of bounds because Rashard Lewis and Keith Bogans were both fighting for it. I only played high school ball, but even I still remember that you’re supposed to yell “same team!”
• The Magic got in from New York at 4 AM Saturday morning. By that time, the Phoenix Suns had been asleep in their Orlando hotel beds for several hours. After the game, I asked Magic Asst. General Manager Dave Twardzik if he thought getting in at 4 AM had anything to do with the team’s tired performance and he smiled and said that it is also a much shorter trip from Miami to Orlando! Just who was the road team anyway?
• I wondered if the Magic had tired legs. I couldn’t tell for sure until the second quarter when it became obvious to me that the Magic were only getting one shot on each possession.
• I have heard that the Phoenix Suns are the type of team we are trying to emulate. We want a more fast paced offense with a greater focus on the three point shot. But we don’t have the speed that the Suns have…Steve Nash and Leandro Barbosa are so much more faster than anyone on our roster. But we do have good speed at the right positions and we definitely have the shooters. It will just take more time for us to ever be as fluid as the Suns are. Every player is adept at passing, making their ball movement almost effortless.
• The real shame of the night wasn’t getting beat by Grant Hill or a much better Suns team. No, the real shame was wasting such a tremendous effort by Dwight Howard: 33 points and 18 rebounds.
• Interesting stats: the Magic took 10 fewer 3 point shots than they have been averaging over the first 6 games but still hit over 42 % of them. Only three Magic players attempted free throws, with Howard shooting all but three of them.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
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Posted by Live or Die Magic, Thursday, November 8, 2007
SO FAR, SO GOOD
"I’ll gladly trade one loss to the Pistons or the Celtics for two victories over the Raptors or the Wizards."
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I told myself I wouldn’t let it happen. I said that I wouldn’t jump the gun like I did in 2004 and again in 2006. I promised myself that I would wait till late-January before I got too excited. But here I go again, envisioning what this current Magic team could be this season. A 4-1 start, including three road victories to start the season, has made it difficult to hold back my enthusiasm for the team’s prospects of success this season. Now, I’m not painting myself blue or camping out at the O-rena yet, but I am starting to think that a new mindset is taking over the team. A mindset that says: we are joining the ranks of the East’s best teams.
The problem with getting excited this early is that I only have to look to the Magic’s recent past to discover what happens. Fast starts in 2004 and 2006 turned into mediocrity by January and led to three Magic coaches being let go. The only difference this year is that I can say with certainty that Stan Van Gundy will remain at season’s end, regardless of the record.
As in the past three seasons, we enter 2007-2008 thinking the Magic are a playoff team. What we found at the end of those seasons, especially the last two seasons, was that the season came down to a close call here, or a tough loss there. In most cases, those “tough losses” were against teams we should have beaten. For instance, last season we had a huge, huge win over the San Antonio Spurs, capped by an amazing play from Dwight Howard. But any help gained from that unexpected win was tossed out the playoff seeding window when we give up ugly losses to the Charlotte Bobcats and Atlanta Hawks.
I am trying hard this season to keep my expectations realistic. Unfortunately, as a sports fan, I succumb to the same early season delirium as everyone else rooting for a team with little recent post-season success. We all expect our team to not only bask in the hope and promise of a new season, but to also take that huge leap that we are promised each and every year. For me, I define that leap as getting out of the first round of the playoffs.
But I’m getting ahead of myself again! For now, for the months of November and December, I want to see the Magic do something that should be simple, and yet it will separate them from the Magic teams of the last few seasons. They should beat the teams they are supposed to beat. Beat the Milwaukee Bucks. Check. Beat the Minnesota Timberwolves. Check. You think beating a rebuilding Timberwolves team on the road isn't a big deal? Well, this is the type of game we would not have won the last few seasons. This is the type of game that the Magic must win this season. We don’t want to find ourselves in April, trying desperately to gain a more advantageous seed (or even trying to make the playoffs at all!) and looking back on the schedule and saying “If only we hadn’t lost to the Sonics, or the Hawks," or whatever team ends up being the doormats this season.
If we can nail down the victories that we should, it will make the losses to the better teams more palatable. Yeah, it was tough seeing the Magic lose to the Pistons, but the fact is that the Pistons are a well-coached veteran team that has our number and is going to get a top-4 seed this year. That doesn’t mean I expect the Magic to go “0-4” against the Pistons this year, but I do realize that we are not yet ready to challenge them for Eastern Conference supremacy.
Which brings me to the other two teams we have played this season: the Washington Wizards and the Toronto Raptors. These two teams joined us as playoff teams last year. If the Pistons are a team that is clearly above us, then the Raptors and the Wizards can be viewed as “peers.” These two teams, along with teams like the New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat, and Indiana Pacers, are the teams that we are competing with for the playoffs and for better seeds. We have beaten the Wizards and the Raptors on the road so far. They are good teams – playoff teams – and we beat them in their houses. I’ll gladly trade one loss to the Pistons or the Celtics for two victories over the Raptors or the Wizards.
Knowing that the games against the lesser teams count just as much in the standings as the huge upsets of the title contenders is a necessary step. Avoiding these slip-ups, while still sprinkling in some unexpected victories, is what will take the Magic beyond the mediocrity of .500 this season.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
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Posted by Live or Die Magic, November 05, 2007 05:20 PM
INTO THE BLUE
"The put-upon, broken hearted Magic fan has something concrete to look forward to for the first time in years."
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I’m picturing a calm, scenic place. Warm, but not too warm…cozy, yeah that’s the word, “cozy.” A place where relaxation isn’t just a state of mind, but a state of being. A place where there are no cares, no surprises, and no worries.
Sounds nice right?
Well, if you’re a Magic fan, then TOO BAD! Because this is no place for you! Us Magic fans exist in a completely different place. It is chaotic, unpredictable, and oftentimes, troubling…yeah, that’s the word, “troubling.” As Magic fans, we seldom settle for the easy way out. If our team isn’t embroiled in a coaching controversy, then it’s an arena controversy. And if it isn’t an arena controversy, it’s a cable TV controversy.
And yet you’re still here. You are waiting faithfully, if not patiently. And do you know why? Because you’re a Magic fan!
So, what’s a Magic fan? Well, you’re an Orlando native. You’re an Orlando transplant. You live in Kansas City, or you live in Australia. You came aboard in the Theus days. You came aboard in the T-Mac days. You know what the “goggles” refers to. You know what “Rosen” refers to. You can discuss Shaq’s Sentinel poll and FSN’s profit margins with equal ferocity. You remember you’re first Mac Attack and you remember the sticker dunk. You can still visualize “the steal” and you can also visualize the “62.” You remember three special ping pong balls, and you remember a free agent on crutches. You remember what Hershey’s Kisses can do for a player, and you remember what fiancés can do to a player. You remember the bad, because it makes the good memories better.
You think it’s easy being a Magic fan? How about 11 seasons since a playoff series victory? How about giving up a 3-1 series lead? How about drafting the most dominant player in the last decade and watching him win four titles for other teams, including one in your own State? How about signing a player who did nothing, absolutely nothing for your team except limit its cap flexibility and prevent it from escaping mediocrity?
But a Magic fan can also be proud of players that chose to come here, and just as importantly, decided to stay here. That’s right! Just consider the starting line-up for the Magic. Every player either chose to come here as a free agent, or chose to sign an extension after being drafted. The players have bought into Orlando and to this team. It is so much more rewarding when the players and the fans are on the same page!
A Magic fan can deal with the lows of the last decade because the future looks so Dwight….um, I mean, bright. We’ve been able to draft the best young big man in the game, twice. But this time, he wants to be here and he is staying (Shaq who?). We have a starting point guard for the first time since Darrell Armstrong. We have a wing player who can be relied upon to hit the game winner for the first time since T-Mac. We have a coach that preaches defense and yet loves the 3-ball. We even have one of those sweet shooting, trendy European players that all the good team seems to have.
In short, the put-upon, broken hearted Magic fan has something concrete to look forward to for the first time in years. Our best players are here for a long time, a new arena is on the way, our coach is rejuvinated and has the total respect of his team. Dare I say, the Magic fans can place their hearts on their sleeves and start believing that the good times, they are a comin!
Now, if only I could figure out why my TV’s darn on-screen guide doesn’t show FSN.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
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