The last time the Magic won a playoff game, it was a momentous occasion. The O-rena was rocking, and dynamic young players like T-Mac, Gordon Giricek, and Drew Gooden were taking it to the pre-title Pistons, who nonetheless were the #1 seed in the East. I have always found it ironic that we won three first round playoff games in the very first season that the NBA went to a seven game series in the first round. One year earlier and we would have advanced.
I was in the O-rena for all three home games against the Pistons during that series, so I remember the sheer joy of Games 3 and 4 and the sense of finality of Game 6. Last year’s games against the same Pistons only seemed to reinforce the sense of futility I felt as a Magic fan, trying to get over this Pistons hump.
All that went away on Sunday. The Amway Arena that was rocking, dynamic young players like Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, and Maurice Evans were taking it to the hapless Raptors. That first quarter was magical, and the boys in blue and white had enough at the end to pull away from the Raptors and take a very comfortable Game 1 victory, the first Magic playoff victory in five years. Anyone care to guess how many more years it will be before we DON’T have a playoff victory?
NBA Basketball, It’s Tailgate-tastic I’m a veteran of many a tailgate party at UCF home games and Tampa Bay Bucs home games. Still, I had never even considered tailgating at a Magic game. Well, this past Sunday I did just that! I met up with some of the other Magic Message Board members and we had some suds, some chips, and some brats over in the parking lot on the North side of the O-rena. It was the first time tailgating at a Magic game for all of us, and this was a collection of some vet Magic fans. I only heard after the fact that the Magic organization put on a bit of a tailgating show of their own. So, kudos to them. I’m especially sorry that I missed out on the Beer Garden. I’ll be sure to check that out tonight!
I think this is a situation where, once you start a tradition, you can’t stop it. The Magic got first round home court advantage. So, they need to keep doing that. The Magic fans – at least the group that I’m a part of – started tailgating before Magic playoff games this season. No doubt, this will continue. In fact, why do it just for the playoffs? Any weekend regular season Magic game makes a great tailgating opportunity!
Two Up, Two Down Guess what, the Magic are going to win tonight. I think the Raptors will try to address their issues from Game 1, but the fact is that no one on the Raptors can stop Dwight and even if only two of our five 3-point threats are shooting well, it should be enough to win – even if it’s a close game.
Canada is going to seem much more friendly to our Magic men when they head up there at 2-0.
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: 8112 | Location: Catching up with the OCTB. | Registered: February 09, 2006
You know what makes tailgating even better? When people remember to bring the bottle of Vodka that you need in order to make your Bloody Mary's.
We can make life much more difficult for Tor by going up 2-0. I know we've been a good road team this year but I don't want to leave anything to chance. I too remember being up 3-1 and losing, it's like a perpetual kick in my crotch. The only thing that is going to fix that is winning.
If you are going to the game tonight, don't show up like we have a win in the bag, show up and cheer like we are up 1 with 10 seconds left and Tor has the ball. Put a giant chip on your shoulders before you walk in to the building. You know, the kind of chip that comes from "experts" ignoring your team. Let's do everything we can do to get our team fired up.
"So who would win in a fight: Darko Fanatics, Arroyo Maniacs, Hedo Worshipers, or JJ Lovers? Answer? Gortat. Bring on your armies, the Warlock is prepared. And by prepared, I mean in existence."-TheRevTy
Posts: 9512 | Location: Trying to figure out why the Fan Voice Blog gets 10 views and JJ/Carlos/Jameer/SVG sucks threads get a million views | Registered: February 15, 2006
Gordon Giricek was about as dynamic as a doorstop.
Good post.
"You are not that funny. You are disgusting. .... hedo. i dont care about him or any other player. you have a problem. get a life. see a pyscic. and please dont bother anwsering me. because, you know what, i dont ::censored:: care about you and thethings you have said. just stop. stop man. i ::censored:: hate you speaking too much" -quarantin, 11/11/08
Originally posted by Drunk on Mystery: Gordon Giricek was about as dynamic as a doorstop.
Good post.
True...but he had a good run with us, and Gooden had a helluva series.
"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: 8112 | Location: Catching up with the OCTB. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Good read, and I have always reminded myself of that series. Especially in game 1 on Sunday I recalled that series with Detroit numerous times, but it gives me the extra little bit to keep cheering because I know what's at stake, a playoff series win.
Sometimes i just want to feel pretty. -Dennis Rodman
Posts: 172 | Location: At the local Dunkin Donuts. | Registered: November 20, 2007
Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16: If you are going to the game tonight, don't show up like we have a win in the bag, show up and cheer like we are up 1 with 10 seconds left and Tor has the ball.
How appropriate...
"You're just like Rashard Lewis: cold blooded." ~Kberto finir en queue de poisson
Posts: 3899 | Location: Waiting patiently to see if I will be crowned "Sarcasm King", or lose my title to Cutestory. | Registered: July 10, 2007
Originally posted by jack daniel 999: LOD Welcome to the BLUE REALM...
From the beginning to the end...
which there won't be...
It just keeps going.
now you have seen what I feel ....
WELCOME to BELIEVING in our MAGIC the way I do.
Taking it to the next level.
and I know you do .
look at all your great threads.
You have just bought it to the next level...
BELIEVE ...
And I know THAT YOU DO...Especially you
Just, wow.
Oh and good stuff as usual LOD.
"Osprey, you are a bright shining light that opens the eyes of the non-believers and gives my life purpose. My fire burns red hot because of your awesomnes!!!!1!." -RedLion#22
Posts: 3532 | Location: Trying to crack ESPN's Top 10 Lebrons of the Night. | Registered: November 09, 2006
Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16: If you are going to the game tonight, don't show up like we have a win in the bag, show up and cheer like we are up 1 with 10 seconds left and Tor has the ball.
How appropriate...
Freaky.
Merc Acres for board Nostradamus!
"You are not that funny. You are disgusting. .... hedo. i dont care about him or any other player. you have a problem. get a life. see a pyscic. and please dont bother anwsering me. because, you know what, i dont ::censored:: care about you and thethings you have said. just stop. stop man. i ::censored:: hate you speaking too much" -quarantin, 11/11/08
Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16: If you are going to the game tonight, don't show up like we have a win in the bag, show up and cheer like we are up 1 with 10 seconds left and Tor has the ball.
How appropriate...
Freaky.
Merc Acres for board Nostradamus!
Wow...that IS freaky! He nailed that one. You should have heard his interview on 580 AM just before the game...he nailed that too.
"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: 8112 | Location: Catching up with the OCTB. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Originally posted by bhnole: The tailgating was awesome, no better way to pumped up for game than grilling, throwing back a few and talking Magic B-Ball with other die hard fans.
Although Marc could be on his deathbed and still bringing up the fact they forgot his vodka
I took control of my vodka destiny and made sure it was there this time.
I don't like the win by 1 point thing so I'm going to hope for win's of 5pts or more from now on, that was a little too close.
I was good and amp'd up for the game last night. The only problem I ran into was my noise makers were not nearly durable enough. Within the first 5 mins I broke my paddle drum from Game 1, and 3 thundersticks. Either they were very weak or Amp has steriods in it.
"So who would win in a fight: Darko Fanatics, Arroyo Maniacs, Hedo Worshipers, or JJ Lovers? Answer? Gortat. Bring on your armies, the Warlock is prepared. And by prepared, I mean in existence."-TheRevTy
Posts: 9512 | Location: Trying to figure out why the Fan Voice Blog gets 10 views and JJ/Carlos/Jameer/SVG sucks threads get a million views | Registered: February 15, 2006
Originally posted by bhnole: The tailgating was awesome, no better way to pumped up for game than grilling, throwing back a few and talking Magic B-Ball with other die hard fans.
Although Marc could be on his deathbed and still bringing up the fact they forgot his vodka
Based on how chipper Merc, Hutch, and crew looked in the stands, I don't think he was still dwelling on the vodka...in fact, I think the vodka was dwelling in him.
I too enjoyed the tailgating once again. I must say though, that those "Bubba burgers" sure like to hang around a while. They try to be your friend for just a bit longer than what's comfortable.
I'm just glad that I narrowly missed out on finding out how Amp goes with Doritos.
"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: 8112 | Location: Catching up with the OCTB. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16: Either they were very weak or Amp has steriods in it.
Let's go with the "Amp has steriods in it." It must contain happy juice as well, because when I entered the arena, it was good times a happenin.
"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: 8112 | Location: Catching up with the OCTB. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Originally posted by Marc Acres 3:16: Either they were very weak or Amp has steriods in it.
Let's go with the "Amp has steriods in it." It must contain happy juice as well, because when I entered the arena, it was good times a happenin.
It may have some novacaine as well because the lady behind me was using my noggin as her personal thunderstick drum pad and I didn't feel too much.
"So who would win in a fight: Darko Fanatics, Arroyo Maniacs, Hedo Worshipers, or JJ Lovers? Answer? Gortat. Bring on your armies, the Warlock is prepared. And by prepared, I mean in existence."-TheRevTy
Posts: 9512 | Location: Trying to figure out why the Fan Voice Blog gets 10 views and JJ/Carlos/Jameer/SVG sucks threads get a million views | Registered: February 15, 2006
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