Spurs The Hearts of Champions

What a finish by the Spurs over the Grizzles, last night. This is what I think of when a team has that championship mentality. They never give up. They may still lose the series, however there is no way we can dismiss the way they keep fighting. Basketball is great and the playoffs are really special. It separates the men from the boys.

All Right Magic, One down.

The Orlando Magic, not only won last night, at the Amway, they dominated. With Dwight Howard on the bench the rest of the Magic team, finally decided to put in the effort to win. Yesterday I challenged them to heed Vince Lombardi's words and make the important decission to play like a winner. This they did. The question is now, can they continue to do this in Atlanta on Thursday? I certainly hope so. They have a large mountain to climb, but last night they picked up the gautlet and advanced to the first level. Go Magic, make us believe.

The Magic Need the Effort

For too long I have thought the quote, "Winning isn't everything it is the only thing," was attributed to the great Vince Lombardi. Apparently I was wrong. Enjoy that last line, because there are not many times you will hear it. The quote from Lombardi was actually, "Winning isn't everything, but making the effort to win is." When you look at this line, you can see the fit and the truth behind it. I don't root for a team because they win every championship or even  be in contention all the time. I root for teams due to some abstract reason. It may be that geographically a team was the one I saw in person, or on TV or listened to on the radio. It may be that I have rooted  for teams since my childhood. One thing I do know is when my teams do not put in the effort to win, I loose interest. What ever the reason, once you are a fan, you remain loyal whether they win or not. Yesterday I was hard on the Orlando Magic and part of that reason is at times they seem to lack the effort or will to win games. Tonight I will still be rooting for them to keep going and maybe pull this series out, but what the Magic have to show me is that they are willing to make that effort to win. I won't change my allegience, but my perception of the players and coaches depends on the idea, "Winning isn't everything, but making the effort to win is".  Remember, Magic, myself and all of Central Florida will be watching.

O.K. Magic, Let's just get it over with.

The Orlando Magic are limping through their playoff series with Atlanta, without a real fight. Oh, sure they show up, but where is the intensity and fight they have shown in previous years? Last night they shot 9% from the three point line. That is not a misprint! Nine percent. A high school team could have done better. I almost could shoot 9% if no one was guarding me and many times the looks that they got were open. The Magic would miss on their end and Atlanta would come down and hit an open shot. The Magic defense tightened up later in the game, but where were the sharp shooters from Orlando, when they had the ball in their hands. I just looked at my wife and said, I hope they get this over quickly, so we can get on to the real playoffs, Boston and the Heat or the Bulls.  So, to the Magic, just let this end quickly, so that I can quit hoping that somehow you all will regroup and make another run this year. If you don't have the desire against Atlanta, how will you ever find it against the better teams in the east.