One of my favorite thing about religiously following any team in sports is the fact that I live their events just as they do through the span of each year. Their successes become my own, and their failures mine too.
When things are good, you're on the top of the world with them. When things are worse, you're legitimately disappointed in them like you would be with a pet or child who just let you down. Regardless, you're always there for them.
Each and every team is surely different and unique in their own way, and for the Orlando Magic, if you had to summarize their story in one word, it would be "Underdogs." Taking it back real quick to the beginning of last years playoffs and the Magic headed into the postseason with not many NBA analysts on their side. After surpassing the Sixers, the Magic headed into Boston as the underdogs (even with an injured Kevin Garnett on the sidelines).
Once they miraculously succeeded past the Celtics in seven games, they were once again the underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers who not only had the full support from their fans (since they owned the best NBA season record) but literally each and every NBA analyst on ESPN. (Click here and go to the middle right if you do not believe me, 10 experts chose Cleveland to win). Defying all odds, Orlando headed to the NBA Finals for the second time in their 20 years existence. They obviously had the patronage of their fans behind them, but once again, absolutely no love from the media. After losing in five games, the Magic went into the off-season with their heads up and their confidence at an all time high.
Aside from the momentum that any NBA finals run brings, Orlando has bolstered its roster tremendously during the off-season. Vince Carter is one of the top players in the league, and the threesome of Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Vince Carter will undoubtedly be one of the strongest in the NBA. Building around them, the team has made some nice moves, with the addition of Matt Barnes, Ryan Anderson, and Brandon Bass, all of whom are capable of building around these All-Stars and strengthening the team all around. Rashard Lewis will sit out the first three weeks of the season due to a substance abuse violation, but the team remains strong as ever nonetheless.
It will undoubtedly be predicted that without Lewis, Orlando is the third wheel in regards to the Big Three of the East. But for a Magic fan, there is no problem with other NBA fans and analysts predicting that. This is just another step in the road and from an Orlando perspective, a rather positive one.
As Lewis will miss about 12% of the season right out of the gates, the team will increasingly depend on its newly acquired role players in Lewis's absence. Its supporting cast, which includes Barnes, Redick, Pietrus, Bass, Anderson, Gortat, and others, will see some extra playing time in Lewis's absence and should gain quick experience that will be invaluable through the course of the rest of the season.
Now how many other contending NBA teams can genuinely say that if they lost one of their starting All-Stars for 10 games, there team would not be heading for disaster? None.
When things are good, you're on the top of the world with them. When things are worse, you're legitimately disappointed in them like you would be with a pet or child who just let you down. Regardless, you're always there for them.
Each and every team is surely different and unique in their own way, and for the Orlando Magic, if you had to summarize their story in one word, it would be "Underdogs." Taking it back real quick to the beginning of last years playoffs and the Magic headed into the postseason with not many NBA analysts on their side. After surpassing the Sixers, the Magic headed into Boston as the underdogs (even with an injured Kevin Garnett on the sidelines).
Once they miraculously succeeded past the Celtics in seven games, they were once again the underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers who not only had the full support from their fans (since they owned the best NBA season record) but literally each and every NBA analyst on ESPN. (Click here and go to the middle right if you do not believe me, 10 experts chose Cleveland to win). Defying all odds, Orlando headed to the NBA Finals for the second time in their 20 years existence. They obviously had the patronage of their fans behind them, but once again, absolutely no love from the media. After losing in five games, the Magic went into the off-season with their heads up and their confidence at an all time high.
Aside from the momentum that any NBA finals run brings, Orlando has bolstered its roster tremendously during the off-season. Vince Carter is one of the top players in the league, and the threesome of Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Vince Carter will undoubtedly be one of the strongest in the NBA. Building around them, the team has made some nice moves, with the addition of Matt Barnes, Ryan Anderson, and Brandon Bass, all of whom are capable of building around these All-Stars and strengthening the team all around. Rashard Lewis will sit out the first three weeks of the season due to a substance abuse violation, but the team remains strong as ever nonetheless.
It will undoubtedly be predicted that without Lewis, Orlando is the third wheel in regards to the Big Three of the East. But for a Magic fan, there is no problem with other NBA fans and analysts predicting that. This is just another step in the road and from an Orlando perspective, a rather positive one.
As Lewis will miss about 12% of the season right out of the gates, the team will increasingly depend on its newly acquired role players in Lewis's absence. Its supporting cast, which includes Barnes, Redick, Pietrus, Bass, Anderson, Gortat, and others, will see some extra playing time in Lewis's absence and should gain quick experience that will be invaluable through the course of the rest of the season.
Now how many other contending NBA teams can genuinely say that if they lost one of their starting All-Stars for 10 games, there team would not be heading for disaster? None.
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