The Fan Voice: "Into the Blue"

By Live or Die Magic | November 5th, 2007

I’m picturing a calm, scenic place. Warm, but not too warm…cozy, yeah that’s the word, “cozy.” A place where relaxation isn’t just a state of mind, but a state of being. A place where there are no cares, no surprises, and no worries.

Sounds nice right?

Well, if you’re a Magic fan, then TOO BAD! Because this is no place for you! Us Magic fans exist in a completely different place. It is chaotic, unpredictable, and oftentimes, troubling…yeah, that’s the word, “troubling.” As Magic fans, we seldom settle for the easy way out. If our team isn’t embroiled in a coaching controversy, then it’s an arena controversy. And if it isn’t an arena controversy, it’s a cable TV controversy.

And yet you’re still here. You are waiting faithfully, if not patiently. And do you know why? Because you’re a Magic fan!

So, what’s a Magic fan? Well, you’re an Orlando native. You’re an Orlando transplant. You live in Kansas City, or you live in Australia. You came aboard in the Theus days. You came aboard in the T-Mac days. You know what the “goggles” refers to. You know what “Rosen” refers to. You can discuss Shaq’s Sentinel poll and FSN’s profit margins with equal ferocity. You remember you’re first Mac Attack and you remember the sticker dunk. You can still visualize “the steal” and you can also visualize the “62.” You remember three special ping pong balls, and you remember a free agent on crutches. You remember what Hershey’s Kisses can do for a player, and you remember what fiancés can do to a player. You remember the bad, because it makes the good memories better.

You think it’s easy being a Magic fan? How about 11 seasons since a playoff series victory? How about giving up a 3-1 series lead? How about drafting the most dominant player in the last decade and watching him win four titles for other teams, including one in your own State? How about signing a player who did nothing, absolutely nothing for your team except limit its cap flexibility and prevent it from escaping mediocrity?

But a Magic fan can also be proud of players that chose to come here, and just as importantly, decided to stay here. That’s right! Just consider the starting line-up for the Magic. Every player either chose to come here as a free agent, or chose to sign an extension after being drafted. The players have bought into Orlando and to this team. It is so much more rewarding when the players and the fans are on the same page!

A Magic fan can deal with the lows of the last decade because the future looks so Dwight….um, I mean, bright. We’ve been able to draft the best young big man in the game, twice. But this time, he wants to be here and he is staying (Shaq who?). We have a starting point guard for the first time since Darrell Armstrong. We have a wing player who can be relied upon to hit the game winner for the first time since T-Mac. We have a coach that preaches defense and yet loves the 3-ball. We even have one of those sweet shooting, trendy European players that all the good team seems to have.

In short, the put-upon, broken hearted Magic fan has something concrete to look forward to for the first time in years. Our best players are here for a long time, a new arena is on the way, our coach is rejuvinated and has the total respect of his team. Dare I say, the Magic fans can place their hearts on their sleeves and start believing that the good times, they are a comin!

Now, if only I could figure out why my TV’s darn on-screen guide doesn’t show FSN.



This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Live or Die Magic,

We are gluttons for punishment! We need mental help.

Wow, LOD, I think you make me more depressed when you lay it all out like that! Maybe I should print that out and when people ask me what is wrong with me I can give them their own copy.

Thank you Orlando Magic Franchise for burning our fans right after we got you the shiny arena for christmas. Nice Job.

The future looks bright(house)! Considering the history you listed, I am a little surprised that I am such a rabid fan.

The last team I went through this much with was the Bucs during the Culverhouse years.

Well guys, it wasn't my intent to make bring you down. I wanted to point out that being a Magic fan isn't always easy. Therefore, a Magic fan is a tested, loyal type of fan.

All the past heartache will make the current upswing all the more rewarding.

Well the Bucs did win a super bowl, hopefully the Magic won't take that long.

I need to find a psychiatrist. I must be crazy....thank God for Dwight.

quote:

Originally posted by Live or Die Magic:
Well guys, it wasn't my intent to make bring you down. I wanted to point out that being a Magic fan isn't always easy. Therefore, a Magic fan is a tested, loyal type of fan.

All the past heartache will make the current upswing all the more rewarding.

Fantastic post. Its just too bad that we're still in the dark and what's unbelievable is that no one from the Magic are even saying anything to the fans. I think that's whats most disheartening besides not being able to watch the games.

I'm sure Rosen is using this to boost his petition. I can hear him now, see how much the Magic cares about the community. They sign a TV deal without ensuring a deal between Brighthouse & FSN would be in place. But, hey, they got their arena, thats all they care about.