Where Magic Happens

The latest advertisement of the NBA shown on television nothing sort of profound, or, at least, from how the league wants to be seen. No more is the perky “I Love This Game” catchphrase used in the ’90s. Now, with its new tag-line, “Where Amazing Happens,” the NBA associates an air of mystery and intrigue. So far, no one’s complaining, because a lot of weird shit does happen in the league. Case in point, that stunner the lowly Warriors pulled out against the highly-reputed Mavs in last year’s Playoff. Or that Malice In The Palace in 2004.

Ten games going into the season, and lots of things are already taking place: The expected dominance of the Celtics, flashes of brilliance from future All-Star Kevin Durant, listless playing by the Bulls, injuries taking its toll on the Heat and Nets, and the surprising starts by some teams, and one of them is the Orlando Magic.

With their 8-2 record heading to a game against the Celtics this Sunday, the Magic are up to a surprise start. However, it’s not really that surprising, as they started last year atop the Eastern Conference with a 12-4 record, only to go 28-38 the rest of the way. Still, there’s a legitimacy in their current standing because of two guys: Rashard Lewis and Stan Van Gundy.

Both seem to be the guys the Magic desperately need since the post-Shaq era. With Lewis, they have a lanky sharp-shooting forward who is capable of lighting up the scoreboard at any given night, and whose compliments Dwight Howard’s dominance in the paint. On the other hand, after Chuck Daly in the ‘98-’99 season, the team never have gotten a better coach than Van Gundy, whose work with the Miami Heat from years ago would help unleash their potential and make a monster out of Dwight Howard. Imagine how the Magic was heavily recruiting Gators head coach Billy Donovan to man the team when Van Gundy seems even more capable of pulling it off.

Still, it’s too early to tell whether the Magic would wind up as a legitimate playoff time, because more experienced teams such as the Heat and Piston will surely gain steam going deep into the season. But as far as I can see, it wouldn’t be too amazing to see them make the playoffs. Hey, it’s the NBA – it could happen.