Magic Showing Mental Toughness
Jon Burkett is my hero. Okay, maybe he’s not my hero, but six games into the season and he’s shown his got some good NBA smarts. The reason I say this is because he predicted the Magic #3 in the East this season, which is higher than anyone out there predicted. I know it’s early, a couple weeks in, and the Magic are still not playing their best ball. Yet, the Magic stand 5-1 today, does anyone want to question if this team is legit; Chris Sheridan?
Seriously though…does anyone really want to question if this Magic team will not be a top playoff contender? If you think otherwise, tell me why, I’m interested.
Let me give you a quick recap:
After dominating the Bucks in the home opener, then being dominated by the Pistons at home in game two, the Magic hit the road.
First was the Wizards, and the Magic handled them. Then there was the T-Wolves, and rightfully so the Magic beat them. Next were the Raptors, who are definitely a legit playoff contender; and the Magic showed some testicular fortitude by putting them away down the stretch. Last was the Knicks. With the addition of Randolph, they’re hoping to make the playoffs. But again, the Magic put this team away tonight pretty easily.
Personally I think of tonight’s victory against the Knicks as a big victory. The Knicks were thought of as a team that the Magic would have major match up problems with because of the size if Curry and Randolph. As it turned out, the Magic’s front line put a nice hurting on tonight, topped off with a 22/20 game by Dwight.
So the Magic finished off their road trip in fine fashion (4-0) by beating the Knicks. Dwight had his 7th career 20/20 game. Jameer had a double-double. Rashard made another clutch 3 point shot for the third consecutive game. The Magic had 4 players over the 20 point margin for the first time since 2004. They ended the road trip by beating the Knicks by 10; and in doing so made franchise history. This is the first time the Magic have won 4 consecutive games on the road; and this is the first 4 game road trip sweep in franchise history.
Are you Magic fans not excited? I mean really, I’m calling out all Magic and Orlando sports fans; are you not excited? If there is a time to jump on the bandwagon, it’s now! Things are beginning to pick up for the Orlando Magic, and I don’t expect them to slowdown anytime soon.
Again, I know it’s early, but that’s why I’m saying it now, the Magic are on their way to the top of the East. The wagon is already rolling, it’s time to jump on and support this team people!
News and Notes:
The Magic have been awarded an injury exception for Tony Battie, who is out for the season with rotator cuff surgery. The exception is worth $2.6 million. Orlando is already looking to find a power forward or center via a trade or free-agency. They have until December 10th to use the exception.
Trevor Ariza is our mystery man. The Magic expect big things out of him, and he isn’t even in the rotation. And while I’ve heard Stan Van Gundy views Trevor as a “situational” player, I’m just not buying it. In the brief minutes I’ve seen Ariza on the floor, he’s looks injured. He’s just not playing explosive. I’m looking forward to seeing some light shed on this situation.
Up next, the Magic will be coming home to a tough game against the Suns. Amare is back in the lineup, so we can all expect a tough game. I’m hoping the “boo-birds” will be out in force! This is Grant Hill’s first and only trip back into town. Everyone in Orlando has a chance to let him know how they feel about him; so don’t be shy!
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6 Responses to “Magic Showing Mental Toughness”
November 10th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Hey, thanks!
I still see the best three teams in the East as the Cavs, Celtics and Magic over the course of a season. We’ll see…
November 10th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Cavs? Come on Jon, the Cavs? We will see
November 10th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Cavs? Let’s put it this way. I have a man crush on Lebron, and I still don’t think the Cavs are that good, actually I’m not going to even refer to them as the Cavs, from now on they shall be referred to as Lebron. The east was HORRIBLE last year. Detroit had a mental breakdown. Lebron won 50 games the last 2 seasons, Lebron is 3 and 3 right now, expect him to do the same, +/- a couple games, this year.
Right now the Magic are top 3 and have potential to be top 2 in the east. They are a young team, running a new offense. Detroit is an old team running an old offense. Boston is an old team running…well running 3 all-stars.
Magic stay top 3 as long as they stay healthy (which they never do). Boston stays #1 as long as none of the old timers keel over with a stroke.
Lebron wins the east if he never passes it again.
November 10th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
good stuff anders.
Damien, what do you think we should do with that 2.3 million injury exception?
November 14th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Damien again your knowledge of this team and maybe I should say faith is unquestionable. I too was right there for the inaugural season, the fam had great seats for six years an I believe we didn’t miss a game unless we donated are tickets to a fellow worker.We still even hold the 1st minted solid silver inaugural magic coin ever minted and yes it says number one. We very rarely ever left early it was just to fun to watch. Especially when you thought we would lose then pull it out.The rush of seeing something like that LIVE is no comparison to tv. Heck I still have memories of dang its hopeless then BANG we win? how? you’d of had to stay to know the feeling of that sensation as we were walking to the car and talking about what and how did we pull that out. Those six years were some (no) were the best sixs years I can remember as of late then came my meltdown. I was really hurt by losing Shaq, breaking up a squad that would of for sure won us some rings.Penny did his best to hold things together but he needed the big man when he was in his prime to really shine as have other players that have played with Shaq in the past. The point? I lost faith, I fell off the ban wagon in short I thought we made some bad moves and it cost us.It cost us fans too. I don’t believe I was the only one who jumped off the wagon but at least I’ll admit it. But not Damien, every year he had the that faith , he still would go to the games when he could and his knowledge of this team and heck the rest of the league is impressive. Well in short tonites game with the Cavs brought back memories of old. I haven’t felt this good since when the fam was still alive and together. What impresses me so much about this team so far this year is there desire to never give up,never throw in the towel and I hope they won’t. Yes we will lose games every team has off nites but were fans and we have bad days too, but you still have to continue like anything can happen and it does. So bottom line for me? I AM ON THE WAGON AGAIN and it sure feels good even if all I have to talk to about basketball is MVN.COM then so be it.
November 14th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Damien again your knowledge of this team and maybe I should say faith is unquestionable. I too was right there for the inaugural season, the fam had great seats for six years an I believe we didn’t miss a game unless we donated are tickets to a fellow worker.We still even hold the 1st minted solid silver inaugural magic coin ever minted and yes it says number one. We very rarely ever left early it was just to fun to watch. Especially when you thought we would lose then pull it out.The rush of seeing something like that LIVE is no comparison to tv. Heck I still have memories of dang its hopeless then BANG we win? how? you’d of had to stay to know the feeling of that sensation as we were walking to the car and talking about what and how did we pull that out. Those six years were some (no) were the best sixs years I can remember as of late then came my meltdown. I was really hurt by losing Shaq, breaking up a squad that would of for sure won us some rings.Penny did his best to hold things together but he needed the big man when he was in his prime to really shine as have other players that have played with Shaq in the past. The point? I lost faith, I fell off the ban wagon in short I thought we made some bad moves and it cost us.It cost us fans too. I don’t believe I was the only one who jumped off the wagon but at least I’ll admit it. But not Damien, every year he had that faith , he still would go to the games when he could and his knowledge of this team and heck the rest of the league is impressive. Well in short tonites game with the Cavs brought back memories of old. I haven’t felt this good since when the fam was still alive and together. What impresses me so much about this team so far this year is there desire to never give up,never throw in the towel and I hope they won’t. Yes we will lose games every team has off nites but were fans and we have bad days too, but you still have to continue like anything can happen and it does. So bottom line for me? I AM ON THE WAGON AGAIN and it sure feels good even if all I have to talk to about basketball is MVN.COM then so be it.
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