Do YOU Believe in Magic

Dwight Howard

Why Dwight? WHY? Ugh, I just feel inconsolable after the Magic's loss tonight to the Miami Heat. Everyone was sure that the Magic had this one in the bag. However, from the very beginning, the Magic trailed behind (not by much, but still). They seemed to regain their mojo in the third, and then threw it away again in the fourth, allowing the Heat sixteen straight points with nothing on the Magic's end. I'd rather not get started on the poor refereeing that went on (and on our home turf!)

As far a free throws go, however, Orlando needs to step up their game. Dwight Howard was Not-So-Superman tonight, missing several very clutch free throws. If anything, I'd like to ask the Magic community to back off Jason Williams. He played a really fantastic game tonight, scoring 25 points total and consistently making his threes. Now, I know that everyone is saying that Williams was the "deciding factor" of this game, I beg to differ. Yes, he missed his two free throws, and coming from a guy whose average is 80%, that's rather surprising. I happen to be a bit of an empathizer and can see how the pressure may have gotten to him. With hundreds of thousands of viewers holding their breath (or screaming from their arena seats or couches), with nine seconds on the clock and your entire team looking at you with anticipation and pleading eyes, no wonder he lost his flow. I don't blame Jason at all, and neither should you. The Magic allowed several shots that could have been prevented if good defence had been played (how many times did "second-chance" shots happen due to a lack of defensive rebounding?) Need I again remind you of Dwight Howard's poor performance at the line?

I plan on mourning this loss over a sappy novel and several bottles of water (yeah, drinking Natty Light and being all-around belligerent isn't my style). We're back in action tomorrow night against the Atlanta Hawks. Hopefully we can go from losing to the number 13 team to defeating the number two team. Now that would be something to be thankful for.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving my friends, and don't forget to always believe in Magic.