Losing the Magic

After two days of choking, I’m pretty sure the Orlando Magic are dead.

Let’s recap: the Magic led by ten with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, and lost by four-- now that’s impressive. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to completely fall apart like that.

By now I’m sure that you have all heard Howard’s postgame whining about not getting the touches that he should have, and I’ve got to say that I agree with him. However, if you are the star player you have to demand those touches. Make yourself available, open, and heard. If you have questions about the game plan: speak up during the game, and before you lose; not in the post-game press conference (you see Dwight, postgame means “after the game.” Hence, the game is over and there’s nothing you can do anymore). That being said, there is absolutely no reason for your star player to go without the ball for the last six minutes, in a critical situation, during a critical game.

Though Howard is the headline, I find Stan Van Gundy’s comments the most entertaining. "I thought that we were trying to run out the clock," Van Gundy said. "We would not push the ball up the floor. Four minutes ... that's forever in a NBA game.” You know what Stan? You’re right. Someone should have told them that…someone like…oh I don’t know…their coach?

I can’t help but think that the great prophet, The Shaq, was right on target when he foretold the postseason coming of “The Master of Panic.”