Remember how we all felt at this point during the second round series against Boston? We had just finished off our first home game with a great victory over the Celtics, giving us a 2-1 series edge. We talked about how we were clearly the better team after taking Game One in Boston. We talked about how if we won Game 4, the series was pretty much over. We lost that Game 4 against Boston on a Big Baby heartbreaker and we had to sink even lower in Game 5 before finding our redemption in Games 6 and 7. If you’re starting to get vu ja de, there’s a reason for it. Because here we are again!
If we lose tonight, it doesn’t mean the series is over. It doesn’t really even mean that we have lost the upper hand. So, in this sense, we could categorize tonight’s game as the Magic having more to gain than they do to lose. And boy do they have so much to gain! A win in tonight’s Game 4 would throw the Cavs not only against the ropes but down on the mat. They might get up for one last roundhouse in Game 5, but the likelyhood of the Cavs beating us 3 games in a row would be slim-to-none with slim going and finding a nice sandwich. The mental hit that the Cavs would take would take them out of the series and it would also finally get the national media talking about this Orlando Magic team. If we lose, it gives the Cavs, and the national media, hope for a Kobe/LeBron Finals. I still would like our chances to win the series even if it goes 2-2, because we still match up so well against the Cavs, but we would suddenly have no room for error and the Game 5 matchup in Cleveland becomes even more of a must-win than the Game 6 here against Boston.
The Magic would save themselves so much time and trouble, and save Magic Land so much mental anguish, if they just took care of business tonight.
A win tonight becomes the biggest Magic home win since Game 7 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals.
Nasty On the Outside, But Amazing On the Inside! As I pulled into the O-Rena parking garage around 6:30 on Sunday night for Game 3, the storm clouds were rolling in but had yet to speak their mind. I figured I only needed 3 or 4 minutes to make my way into the building. Of course, it was silly of me to think I could predict nature. I no sooner had made my way out of the safe confines of the garage then the clouds spotted me with my umbrella and had themselves a chuckle. The wind made having the umbrella a distinct disadvantage. So, realizing that my bottom half was already soaked, I closed the umbrella and ran the rest of the way to media tunnel. If I had jumped into a pool with my clothes on, I could not have looked more drenched. I made my way to the media room and found a corner where I could drip for awhile.
Without giving too many details away about your favorite Fan Voice, let me tell you that while my outer layers had somewhat dried by the time I left the O-Rena at around 12:40 AM, my inner layers still needed some work. But if things were bad outside of the building, the outcome of the game occuring on the inside more than made up for it. I will gladly sit soaked for all future home wins.
Game 3 Observations
So, as I looked around at all the nice new #23 Cavaliers jerseys, I couldn’t help but wonder what all these people will do with them in a year’s time when LeBron is playing for New York or New Jersey.
If you think the LeBron/Kobe argument is a tough one...here is one I struggled with during the game: which player I love to hate more, Anderson Varejao or Mo Williams.
Off to my right was the raised platform set up for the TNT “studio” team. Charles Barkley was a huge hit and a large cluster of fans remained around them most of the game. I tried to figure out a way to meet Chuck but apparently the TNT green room isn’t visible on the O-Rena blueprints.
Here’s my only problem with having that little 7-year-old firecracker singing the National Anthem at Magic home games: I end up watching her instead of looking at Old Glory!
I cannot tell you how proud I was of my fellow Magic fans in attendance when they booed LeBron “King” James during player intros! They continued to boo him throughout the game as well. Apparently, Charles Barkley said that the Magic home crowd isn’t intimidating and that we basically suck as fans. I’m sure he has changed his mind after Game 3.
It was nice to see Coach Stan Van Gundy employ the Magic’s “twin towers” lineup with Gortat and Howard to start the 2nd. Hopefully, Stan Van Gundy won’t judge it’s effectiveness on how the team performed during this time. Two poor decisions by Rafer Alston led to easy transition baskets by the Cavs and a quick timeout from SVG.
I certainly love LeBron James as a player but I could not believe the stunt he pulled by walking through the Orlando Magic Dancers while they were performing a routine at half-court. The home crowd really let LeBron have it and the Magic’s emcee Scottie B took a not-so-veiled shot at LeBron when he asked for a round of applause for the “classy Orlando Magic Dancers” at the end of the routine. LeBron is lucky that Former Magic Dancer April wasn’t still part of the team...who knows what I might have done!
It shouldn’t come as any surprise why Mickael Pietrus is having great success now in the playoffs. He is giving us exactly what we expected of him when we signed him: fearless drives to the basket and strong perimeter defense.
I’ve finally figured out the key to our officiating woes: if the ref is bald, it spells bad news for the Magic.
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.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Great read. I've been caught many times by that good ol' Florida deluge and its always a treat. If they keep your area in Amway as they did during summer league, i'm surprised your not sick.
I believe the Lebron factor is now parallel to the Jordan factor. You saw many casual NBA fans in the 90's with Jordan jerseys because he was THE player. Lebron has reached that status I believe.
I thought the twin tower experiment should stay that way. From what ive seen, they have yet learned to play well together and I dont think at this stage of the season, they need to learn on the fly. They were burnt on two different plays on the rebounding issue and for whatever reason, It just doesn't work. Not to mention, this series is gonna become chippier and we will need Gortat to spell Dwight when hes in foul trouble.
Lebron walking through the cheerleaders is a very ill advised attempt to get into heads, and honestly, he's not good enough in that aspect to try.
He cant even get his team to play well. He should concentrate on them instead of trying to send a message to the Magic.
Thanks AddiFB
Posts: 3691 | Location: Loading up on supplies, preparing for the zombie apocolypse | Registered: December 29, 2007
I sure hope our guys come out focused tonight. If we win we'll have "three strikes" to finish off the Cavs and I don't see us missing all of them. Tonight's game might pave our way to the finals.
I've to agree with Natmayo here, altough I was a big supporter of the Dwight-Marcin pairing, we haven't experimented enough the twin towers during regular season, so now it could be a big risk. I would take that risk only if we're getting murdered on the boards for large portions of the game, something that hasn't really happened yet, and hopefully will not in the future.
Shard playing catch up: 25 3's to go.
Posts: 1453 | Location: Tambien conocido como Taino_FfS! | Registered: June 12, 2008
If you think the LeBron/Kobe argument is a tough one...here is one I struggled with during the game: which player I love to hate more, Anderson Varejao or Mo Williams.
That one is easy Varejao only annoys me on the court, Mo annoys me on AND off the court.
I’ve finally figured out the key to our officiating woes: if the ref is bald, it spells bad news for the Magic.
Now that is just prejudicial against people who are "follicly challenged"!
Posts: 6541 | Location: Amway Arena Lot 3 waiting for the next game | Registered: February 23, 2006
This was such a pivotal game. Of course, now Game 5 is the most important game of the year. It just keeps rolling.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Tonite, I would very much love to see the Magic not start off in a "hole" and get some hi-energy offense going! The theme tonite should be Defense!.... as in Protect our house! There should be no excuse for defending because we already know Cle. will attack! We must rebound, and get after every loose ball!, or 50/50 balls is what Mike Brown calls'em! Establish the post don't fall in love with the jumpshot if we can punish this smaller team in the paint! GO TO THE HOLE! WE WIN THIS 1 AS A TEAM, AND WE GO ON TO THE FINALS! WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT CHANCE TO WIN THE TITLE THIS YEAR SO GO OUT THERE AND GET IT!
orlandomagiczone.com 
