Orlando - Where's The Magic?

The dictionary defines MAGIC as "the art of producing illusions as entertainment".
Thus, Orlando's NBA team is very appropriately named.
While they are certainly entertaining, there is no real substance to their play.

Many an NBA fan has been duped into believing this year's Orlando Magic are contenders for the Eastern Conference Championship.
Some even believe an NBA Championship is in the cards.
Props to Stan Van Gundy and crew.
Getting anyone to believe they have a chance at an Eastern Conference Championship would amaze even Harry Houdini.
And that the Orlando Magic have anyone believing an NBA Championship is possible has David Blaine asking, "How the hell do they do that?"

Make no mistake. The Magic are entertaining.
But, being entertaining does not equal championships in today's NBA.
Just ask the run-and-gun Mike D'Antoni Phoenix Suns of a few years ago.
No one had been as entertaining as those Suns since the L.A. "showtime" Lakers of the 80's.
But, unlike Magic Johnson and crew, the Suns have zero rings to show for all of that entertaining.

Today's NBA requires much more than athleticism and snappy passes to become an elite team.
And December trades for Hedo Turkoglu and Gilbert Arenas have failed to add the necessary pieces needed for the Magic's championship chase.

Magician Coach Van Gundy doing his thumb trick for an official

The Magic's 32-20 record appears to be good.
All magic appears to be real.
But having a winning record in the Eastern Conference is kind of like getting lucky in a whore-house...it's just not that hard to do.
Orlando plays teams like Washington, Cleveland, and Toronto night-in and night-out.
You have to be a pretty crappy team to not have a winning record in the Eastern Conference.

Fans should wonder why the Magic are playing only .500 ball in their last 10 games.
Or why the Magic sit in the fifth slot behind Boston, Miami, Chicago, and Atlanta....yes, Atlanta.
And fans should ask why Orlando is only slightly better than .500 (14-13) on the road for the entire season.
That's not championship ball, though I'm sure all of their games have been magically entertaining.

The Orlando Magic were a sexy pick as championship contenders to start the season.
But, turn on the house lights, turn off the fog machine, get some clothes on the magician's lovely assistant, put the rabbit back in the top-hat and you will see...it was all an illusion.
The Orlando Magic are the most appropriately named team in all of professional sports.
Their chance for an NBA title is all smoke-and-mirrors.


Fear the BC Foo!