WARNING - Somewhat wordy and emotional (yet hopefully soundly reasoned).

I have been an Orlando Magic fan almost as long as I have memories. One of my earliest is when my parents bought me a basketball hoop for our driveway the same year that the Magic drafted Shaquille O'neal. At the time I had never heard of either, but like everyone - I knew Michael Jordan.

As a young kid I was enthralled by his otherworldly ability and picked my Dad's brain about him. One day in passing my father suggested that our hometown team the Orlando Magic were also quite good. "We have a team?", I thought. It had never occurred to me before, but I liked the idea and at some point soon after made an unconscious decision to devote the majority of my sports appreciation to them forever.

For a long time growing up, my family didn't own a television. When we finally bought one, we used it exclusively for movies that my parents (rarely) approved and a few select shows through heavy analog static. We were relegated to the Olympics, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and The Evening News With Dan Rather. When my mom was outside doing yard work during the afternoons, my sister and I would tune in for a few minutes of M*A*S*H*. Watching basketball only happened at hotels or if our family got home from church early enough on a Sunday and the Magic happened to be Nationally broadcast on NBC. My family still doesn't subscribe to cable service. Thus, I followed the Magic for about 15 years almost exclusively by listening to nearly all their games on the radio (I used to play outside and with G.I. Joe's a lot). I have been quite obsessed with all their happenings. I used to read the newspaper, and check the magazine section every time our family went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart or Publix for the new Alathon Sports NBA yearly preview. I played basketball alone in my driveway as a short, chubby white kid, using a ball too small and with all the grip worn off. I shot by palming the ball on both sides and heaving it from my chest. I used to narrate situations when I played and at times went through whole 82 game scenarios. Looking back on my memories of that time with rose colored glasses, I remember making a lot of those shots. However, all I'm really trying to convince you of is the weight of my opinion concerning the current state of the team.

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Remember when Rasheed Wallace was telling everyone who'd listen before the season that the Celtics could challenge the bulls record 72 win season (Rasheed's prediction)?

They still have a decent record but are either barely beating bad teams lately, or losing to them. Anyone see the Memphis game last night? Down 29 at one point, at home, to the Grizzlies. They got booed. I went on the Celtics blog and the poll of the day is 'Can the Celts still win the championship?'. The winning choice was 'no we're done'. I don't think Nate Robinson can help.

Anyway this makes me happy we didn't get Rasheed, and that we're getting better as the season goes on. Lots to be thankful for. Also if the Magic's recent play continues, I think Stan should be up COTY again for getting Vince and the whole team to buy into his game plans and play together.