The Fan Voice: "Dig A Hole"

By Live or Die Magic | May 13th, 2008


“Dig a hole.” It started out as a humorous moment in Jameer Nelson’s post-game press conference immediately following the Game 3 victory in Orlando last Wednesday night. Nelson seemed to stumble over his words while trying to state that the Magic didn’t want to dig themselves a hole by going down 3 games to none. When he finally got his words straight and everyone had a good laugh about it, he comically repeated the phrase “dig a hole,” just to prove that he could say it without stumbling.

Of course, the irony is that the Magic did manage to dig themselves a hole on Saturday night with the most bitter loss yet in this extremely bitter series with the Pistons. This time there were no excuses. There was no controversial call. In fact, the Pistons spotted us their best player. It should have been another double-digit victory. Jameer had another solid performance in Game 4, save for one area. He missed four out of six free throws. As I watched him miss those four free throws, especially the one late in the game that could have put us up by two with 44 seconds left, I couldn’t help but picture Nelson wielding a large shovel, making a larger hole with each clank.

Perhaps it was his knowledge that he played a crucial role in the loss that caused Nelson to make a guarantee for victory in Game 5. Personally, I was glad to hear it. He doesn’t cost himself or his team anything if he proves himself right, and any ridicule he receives if the Magic lose will be brief as the media and fans of other teams quickly shift their focus back to other, more compelling playoff matchups.

Nelson may be taking some hits now, but I think all of the pundits are saying what they are saying because they are surprised - much like we are - that the Magic didn't even this series at 2 each. Think about it...Charles Barkley, instead of ripping Nelson, would be saying "the Pistons are in serious trouble" if we had pulled out that Game 4 win.

In a way, we deserve to have the dirt already thrown on our coffin. We had a ready-made setup for a victory. Instead, we allowed the Pistons to dictate the game both offensively and defensively in the 2nd half. And it would appear that when neither team’s best player shows up, the Pistons win.

One thing I have surmised from these four games is that we are a capable team. We have the components in place to be a strong team in the East, one that is capable of advancing deep in the playoffs. Jameer Nelson has had a tremendous playoff run, free throws aside. He may still have some defensive deficiencies, but he has stepped up his consistency and most importantly, he has demonstrated his ability to be the captain and leader of this team on the court. Prior to these playoffs, it just seemed all talk. If he can continue his performance next year and beyond, then Magic fans will be praising his contract, not cursing it.

Rashard Lewis has also stepped up his game, showing he can do more than shoot from the perimeter. Dwight Howard had a monster series against the Raptors and even though he has slowed his pace against the Pistons, it is a testament to two things: the Pistons have the game plan and the personnel to counter him, and let’s face it, he’s 22 and still very much learning on the fly. Hedo Turkoglu is the only one that I just can’t figure out. He finally seemed to come alive near the end of Game 4, so perhaps he just had one of his spells that was the hallmark of his game prior to this season. Maybe Turk is the one that really explodes tonight. This team is full of talent and the future is bright. Another year of seasoning will only result in an increased win total and better awareness of what the playoffs are all about.

But I hate how us fans get too caught up in the “next year will be better” mindset. It is the quicksand trap for all sports fans. As the reality of the current season’s shortcomings sink in, we shift our focus to the promise of the season to come. It is human nature, and certainly it is something that fans of 29 NBA teams have in common each season.

I am very proud of what the Orlando Magic have accomplished this season, but personally, I am not ready for the season to be over. I have had more fun this season than in any since the “Heart and Hustle” year, and I want one more chance to join up with my fellow Magic fans for one more home game. I think we come back and win tonight. Whether it means that we can actually take this series is a limb that seems to creaky for me to step out on. But I think the Magic have one more victory in them. So, Jameer, I’m taking you at your word! Put the shovel down, put this team on your back if you have to and give us one more victory!


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.

Why do the big free throw misses alway seem to come in 4's. So **** close.

LOD....does that mean you are guaranteeing a win too? O Sweet Vida Guerra, everyone seems to have lost their minds around here!

All kidding aside, I have a feeling the Magic are going to come out ultra focused and pull this one out today too.

BTW...awesome post LOD. It really portrays the way most of us feel after that game. Confusion, because the series should be different, 2-2 or 3-1 even, yet we are forced to try to understand why Jameer has to come to the point of guaranteeing since we blew the lead in the 3rd, while also having faith that this series aint over til the fat lady sings.

As fans, all we can do is root our team on til the end and whatever the outcome, I'm proud of our team's accomplishments and the attitude and belief in themselves that they have evolved in the playoffs.

Sweet read. I personally believe it all comes down to experience or lack off from our guys that have made us dig this hole. Winning is a slow process, specially for a young team(playoff experience) so i am happy with what we have done, but still want more.

I would love to see another win by the guys so that it doesn't end 4-1. I would love more to see a 4-3.....Magic Win!!!

I think that is the most frustrating part is we have been so competitive in this series to be down 3-1. Last year we were not ready to compete with the Pistons, this year we are and no one is ready to go out after only five games or at all.

IMO Jameer is a servicable PG if he has a better SG starting with him. It is still the same problem we have all year, we need a wing defender who can still hurt the other team if the ignore him. Evans is about as hot and cold as they come and Bogans struggles against quicker players. Anyone wish we still had D-Steve after watching the year he had with the Wizards??

Not to rub salt in any wounds here but I can't help thinking about how Granger would have fit in here.

I might not like D-steve's mouth, but I respect his game. He sure would have worked out fine.

I always wonder what will happen this offseason, what will they try to upgrade. Evans and Bogans have been ok, but I don't know...

I expect some moves, but not very many...

It seems to me that the only player beyond Howard, Nelson, Turk, and Lewis that has secured himself a spot on next year's roster is Keyon Dooling. Battie is probably safe too, because of his injury (hard to trade).

If Otis chooses to upgrade the 2-spot with someone not currently on our roster, then you figure he will only need one player out of the group of Bogans, Evans, and Redick. Any of the three of them bring something to the table as a back-up.

Great blog LOD. Its really hard to not look ahead to next season or even this offseason. I've been looking at mock draft boards quite a bit the past month. I would LOVE to get at least one more playoff game in Orlando but its going to be hard. The Pistons have proved once again that the Magic have some work to do to surpass them in the east.

We are so close I can taste it. A shooting guard with an offensive game that opponents have to respect and a solid power forward that can consistenly play good defense and rebound is all we need I think.