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.
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.
With the obtaining of Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson, and the signing of Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes, Orlando certainly expanded their bench, emerging as the deepest roster in the league. Now with Rashard Lewis suspended for the first 10 games of the season due to breaking the drug policy, the Magic have once again found themselves in an "underdog-type" situation.
Many might see this as a major problem, but all is calm in Orlando. The team will be just fine without him.
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.
The fact that the loss of the team's second most valuable player (and an All-Star) won't have much of a perceived impact on the team's performance says it all about the state of Orlando basketball. This should be another one of those up years for the team's fans.
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.
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.
With the obtaining of Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson, and the signing of Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes, Orlando certainly expanded their bench, emerging as the deepest roster in the league. Now with Rashard Lewis suspended for the first 10 games of the season due to breaking the drug policy, the Magic have once again found themselves in an "underdog-type" situation.
Many might see this as a major problem, but all is calm in Orlando. The team will be just fine without him.
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.
The fact that the loss of the team's second most valuable player (and an All-Star) won't have much of a perceived impact on the team's performance says it all about the state of Orlando basketball. This should be another one of those up years for the team's fans.
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