In the aftermath of our admirable, but futile effort in the 2012 NBA Playoffs, rumors have just started circulating about possible changes in the Top management of the Orlando Magic, especially for the General Manager position.

A name mentioned is that of our beloved Adonal Foyle. His work with our players these past two years is exemplary; his community efforts, well known. This opens up endless possibilities for his advancement within the Magic organization in the future. We wish him the best.

But right NOW, the Orlando Magic need a proven, experienced GM to get us out of this mess; not ANOTHER Most Popular Player/Executive available.

I've been saying this in a half-joking manner, but today, I'm going to stress this point again, if you'll bear with me a bit: The Magic need to look closely at the WAY the Oakland Raiders organization went about rebuilding after the death of their owner and only GM, Al Davis, AND after another dismal season filled with heartache and disappointment.

After the season ended, the New Owner, Mark Davis sought out the advice of a trio of onetime NFL executives and coaches with undeniable Raiders' ties. They all pointed to ONE man; Reggie McKenzie, a seasoned man with a LONG tenure as the Green Bay Director of Football Operations.

Two things stood out about him: One, a long, steady resume full of solid, even great moves resulting in the Packers being a perennial contender, winning two Super Bowls during his reign, and two, a demonstrated ability to handle tight, even negative financial situations responsibly, while still keeping the Organization moving forward.

Now, the results of many of the moves McKenzie has made are less-than spectacular, given the dire fiscal reality at Oakland, and many have yet to be proven, but they have been viewed as SOLID, methodical, some even brilliant. Even the most abject Raider-hater will admit that Reggie McKenzie has turned the whole Raider culture around, from the bottom up; modernizing and improving the Team, while bringing it under cap.

Back to our Team, the Magic. How do we turn this experience to OUR advantage? The key is to QUIETLY look for advice from retired executives from some of the Top NBA organizations on the Western Conference; people with ties to the Orlando Magic. They in turn, should point towards individuals that basically meet three criteria

1. A well-respected executive within a solid NBA organization, with broad experience with the Draft and player personnel, as well as a proven track record recognizing talent and acquiring it.

2. A demonstrated ability to handle Team budgets and cap space with aplomb and fiscal responsibility, but who will not shy away from making bold moves when the situation demands it.

3. An individual who has enjoyed a long tenure at his present position and would be attracted by an upward mobility offer… one with a challenging, yet attainable goal, fully backed by the Team’s Owner and Top Brass.

Of course, it would help if the Team in question has recently won the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy, so as to ease his release. Such was the case with McKenzie and the Green Bay Packers.

I am aware of the uncertainties ahead. There are also many differences between the NFL experience and the Orlando Magic in the NBA, one being the fact that the Magic Organization is a much younger entity than the Oakland Raiders in the NFL. Our list of “Friends” is shorter… with less influence. But there are ways…

These are but a few ideas that might help… or not. Mine is a somewhat biased view, as I have been a member of the Raider Nation since 1972. On the other hand, I just joined the Orlando Magic as a fan in 2006. There is a lot to learn...

I have witnessed a great organization grow and decline through four decades, then start anew, with even greater enthusiasm and drive. We really want that FOURTH NFL Championship…

In Orlando, our drive starts with nabbing our New General Manager of the Future.

If Oakland, with all their problems, can pull together towards that goal; we, in the City Beautiful can make an even greater effort towards OUR FIRST Championship!

A Hawks fan wrote today, the Howard should "come Home" in the offseason... to stay.

Perhaps he or she has not looked hard enough: Howard IS Home.

Home is where Howard has been for the past six years'; where the Team that took a chance on him... and yes, it WAS a chance!, plays; the city that loved him from the very beginning, NOT just now, as a Superstar; the city where his little boy was born and where he can walk freely without any economic, ethnic, or racial undertones limiting his personal growth; where the government doesn't tax you to Death... many times over.

Home is where you feel safe and at Peace; day AND night... Every day.

Home is where you can breathe fresh air... all year long; where Nature and development blend in perfect harmony; where there's opportunity for everyone; Home is where your kids can go to schools with all the tools needed to ensure a solid learning experience.

For Howard, Home is the Land of Lakes; the City Beautiful... Orlando.

I read this line in a post by someone by the name of Bennedicto and it got me thinking; could it be true?

He was of course, talking about Dwight Howard and his "imminent" departure for the Land of Gold... Hollywood.

Well, not quite... really.

For all perceived notions, the truth is, Orlando IS the vacation capital of the world. It is also the entertainment Mecca, unless you prefer gambling, of course. It has State-of-the-Art recording studios and a booming movie industry. It also boasts one of the highest educational and quality of life standards in the U.S. And with the internet and global networking, there is no need to live in a big market city to reap big market exposure.

Also, if you have a kid, well then it’s really a NO BRAINER! You see... it’s ALL about quality of Life... and LA... New York... Boston... Miami, they’re all on the short end of the measuring stick. People are moving AWAY from big metropolitan centers, with decaying social structures and overcrowded, dysfunctional education institutions. 

What is this you say??? Ahhh! Howard can BUY his way into “good” friends and “good” services for him and his son... Well... he can buy many things, sure. But “good” friends are NOT one of them... The Bible rightly states: “Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.” -1 Corinthians 15:33; see also Proverbs 13:20.

His true friends are NOT the ones whispering “sweet nothings” to his ear...

As for basketball... leave it for people who know.

Howard thrives in a Team built AROUND him; who give HIM the ball and work inside-out. That’s WHY you NEED four great 3-point shooters, which by the way, the Lakers don’t have.

And after Kobe’s 3-year window of opportunity is up; there’s no more LA! After Kobe’s and Fisher’s retirement, Odom will revert back to his old insecure shadow and Gasol will skip town. Even IF he stays; Howard can’t work with him. Why do you think the Magic gave up Gortat, the second best center in the League, who’s thriving in Phoenix? Howard needs space; he and Gortat could not work together, much like he and Gasol will not work either...

The Magic are Howard’s Team. He’s not going to leave Town to play for someone else’s team! And what... play second fiddle to Kobe, Carmelo, or... WHOEVER???

No Bennedicto... only Gansta-wanna-be’s, the very, very rich, and of course, conceited people want to live in LA.

And Howard is not one of them.

The local media falls on their collective butts for what their NATIONAl comrades view as "important". Otherwise, they are not "cool"; part of the gang... like a 16-year-old kid in High School.

What OUR guys in the Media have to understand is that they live HERE; are part of THIS community, not Boston, or LA! This is not a popularity contest; it's not about how "clever" you are... it's about reporting accurate and delivering insightful information vital to improving OUR way of life; we have a vested interest in THIS community. So should YOU!

Sure, it's great that UConn set a new National consecutive win streak record in women’s basketball, which had stood for 31 years. Great... but WHO the heck cares about this HERE in Orlando; HOW is it related to what WE care; HOW does it affect US?

Case in point: Local media coverage of the Dwight Howard "problem"... contractual and disciplinary. When you write about Howard in the same terms, from the same ego-centric perspective that those little LA punks write in their "funky" and “colorful” little posts... you disrespect Howard and worse; you disrespect, your readers!

Local media BETTER start caring about what happens HERE; seeing things from OUR perspective... and projecting this to the National media.

Otherwise... WHO's going to do it???

Either join IN; or get the hell out of here! I'm sure LA will have you...

Someone yesterday wrote that Howard was an over paid, petulant star, who no one should be sorry for in all this technical foul business... well; the nerve...

You know; I too, grow tired of some of these over-paid, over-blown egomaniacs who people call "Star" Athletes.

However, there ARE limits to how much a man... ANY man can, or should take in physical punishment; And all the money in the world cannot change this.

Just ONE Stat for you, and for Mr. Stearn, the whole Damn NBA, and its Press Lap Dogs HAVE to MEMORIZE: 593

Yes... repeat after me: 593

This is the recorded number of personal fouls executed upon Dwight Howard THIS year, 593. By far; the MOST in all the NBA, not only this year, but for the past THREE years. And a substantial number of those have been above the shoulders... or to the head. But like the one this past week, scored on Howards' left eyebrow; which required 3 stitches to close and happened right in FRONT of the Ref... THEY DIDN'T SEE IT! “They” never see it…

NONE of these 593 fouls have been called FLAGRANT... NONE. I would say that Howard has exercised a great deal of self-control: I KNOW I WOULD NOT, under those conditions...

Yes... I'm with Stan Van Gundy on this one.

So... before anyone can simply dismiss his so-called "antics", or "tantrums" on the face of this onslaught I call BATTERY and PREMEDITATED ASSAULT... THINK AGAIN. Otherwise one could be coming across as something of an ignorant fool... the real fool.