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 go well you shout stuff like, "That is why I love this team, there is no organization better than us." And when things go wrong you scream and yell things like, "Wow, how can they be so stupid?...If I was the coach that would have never happened!" But nevertheless, you support your team through thick and thin to the fullest.
As a fan of the Orlando Magic, last season was one of the best ones in recent memory. Having been discounted by the NBA world as a team with a good record that wouldn't make it past Cleveland or Boston, many felt that the Magic simply couldn't compete at the level of these teams.
Most basketball analysts expected the Celtics to beat the Magic in their second round series; even with the absence of Kevin Garnett. They also saw an easy road to the finals for the Cavaliers once the Magic had beaten the Celtics in seven games. The Magic once again quieted the doubters by amazingly beating Cleveland too. While the Magic played a respectable series against the Lakers, they were once again written off by the medial but things look better than they ever have in Orlando going into next season.
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.
In 2008-2009, the absence of Lewis would have been a major problem for the team; but with the addition of Carter and the other three players mentioned, the Orlando Magic have little to worry about.
The Magic will use Lewis's absence to experiment with its roster, seeing who fits where. With many potential pieces to the puzzle, players like Barnes, Pietrus, Anderson, Bass, Redick, and Gortat all have opportunities to establish their roles and familiarize themselves with the new Magic team. Ten games won't make or break a season, so the Magic will make the most of their time without Lewis.
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 go well you shout stuff like, "That is why I love this team, there is no organization better than us." And when things go wrong you scream and yell things like, "Wow, how can they be so stupid?...If I was the coach that would have never happened!" But nevertheless, you support your team through thick and thin to the fullest.
As a fan of the Orlando Magic, last season was one of the best ones in recent memory. Having been discounted by the NBA world as a team with a good record that wouldn't make it past Cleveland or Boston, many felt that the Magic simply couldn't compete at the level of these teams.
Most basketball analysts expected the Celtics to beat the Magic in their second round series; even with the absence of Kevin Garnett. They also saw an easy road to the finals for the Cavaliers once the Magic had beaten the Celtics in seven games. The Magic once again quieted the doubters by amazingly beating Cleveland too. While the Magic played a respectable series against the Lakers, they were once again written off by the medial but things look better than they ever have in Orlando going into next season.
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.
In 2008-2009, the absence of Lewis would have been a major problem for the team; but with the addition of Carter and the other three players mentioned, the Orlando Magic have little to worry about.
The Magic will use Lewis's absence to experiment with its roster, seeing who fits where. With many potential pieces to the puzzle, players like Barnes, Pietrus, Anderson, Bass, Redick, and Gortat all have opportunities to establish their roles and familiarize themselves with the new Magic team. Ten games won't make or break a season, so the Magic will make the most of their time without Lewis.
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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