What's great about being a fan of any sports team is basically sharing the experiences that the entire organization goes through season by season. Obviously you do not talk to the GM's, owners, or players on a regular basis or even discuss your opinions and thoughts with them at all. But throughout the entire season and playoffs (if your team is fortunate enough to make it there) you get a feeling of attachment as if you were just another player on the roster, conversing your ideas with the team.
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.
Despite their injury issues, many still favored the Celtics to surpass the Magic in their series. Between the home court advantage, the veteran experience in Boston, and the inexperience in Orlando, the Magic were written off early in the series. Against Cleveland, no one gave the team a chance, despite the fact that the Magic had won the season series against the Cavs. Orlando quieted the doubters with a run to the NBA finals, their second since the mid 90s.
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.
Many might see this as a major problem, but all is calm in Orlando. The team will be just fine without him.
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 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.
Despite their injury issues, many still favored the Celtics to surpass the Magic in their series. Between the home court advantage, the veteran experience in Boston, and the inexperience in Orlando, the Magic were written off early in the series. Against Cleveland, no one gave the team a chance, despite the fact that the Magic had won the season series against the Cavs. Orlando quieted the doubters with a run to the NBA finals, their second since the mid 90s.
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.
Many might see this as a major problem, but all is calm in Orlando. The team will be just fine without him.
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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