Encouragement After Game 4

by The Stan 'Stache on Jun 12, 2009 1:45 PM EDT

Hello 3QC friends,

Last night was extremely difficult for me and the Magic community. There was such a tension Downtown- a buzz I have never encountered. Derek Fisher fizzled the buzz .

We went home disappointed.

But, Dwight Howard grew up some last night. I'm not sure if it was on the court, after the game or on the podium during the post-game press conference. Dwight failed last night. He admitted he missed his free throws. Dwight lost on the NBA's biggest stage.

I know I am pointing out the obvious- and I apologize for doing so- but this was a big step in the right direction. Not motivationally (I have never questioned Dwight's motivation) but mentally. I continually question his mental toughness. Dwight has grown in front of our eyes, from a goofy teenager into the league's best center. But, in the NBA finals, his athleticism will not/have not overcome his mental mistakes. There is something about defeat that makes humans hungry. He'll be hungry in Game 5.

I don't disagree with Stan Van Gundy often. But he was wrong last night. We were outclassed but a team who has been there before. This is an experience issue. He said "It's still a basketball game." True- but its the biggest games of these players careers and the biggest games in Orlando since '95. So, simply, it's just a game. But a really, really big game. Experience has to factor in.

Now it's about respect (cliche I know). But the national media hasn't respected the Magic all playoffs. If the Magic don't play their hearts out, this series will look like a choke job/fluke (depending on what side of the fence you sit). I watched every game this year- I know how good our Magic are- but this is the Finals. This is what they will be judged on.

I'm not willing to give up on the season yet. So I am not talking next season. (Get ready for another cliche) One game at a time. The Magic have to focus on pushing the series back to LA. If that happens, we'll go from there.

As much as I hate the bandwagon. I am afraid the wheels are gonna fall off and Orlando will turn back into a downer town. The bandwagoners will be quick to turn on the team and players. Our players deserve a lot of credit for getting to the Finals. But once you're in the Finals- you have to win. We need more than one win this series.

I love my Magic. I hate that we lost. But hey, there is still at least one game left. I hope we show up and push it to LA.

Go Magic. Go Game 5.

This FanPost was made by a member of the Orlando Pinstriped Post community, and is to be treated as the opinions and views of its author, not that of the blogger or blog community as a whole.

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Comments

I’ve never been more sick watching a magic game than I was last night….but I’m not giving up, it’s a long shot to win now but I at least have hope that we can finish strong regardless of the outcome.

by Rebounder on Jun 12, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

No doubt.

.. the team just needs to go down swinging.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jun 12, 2009 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Magic needs to rebound and win the next at home.

Then all they need is to win 1 game in LA to force game 7.

Anything can happen in game 7.

by pcnyc on Jun 12, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

+1

That’s exactly how I look at it too.

by Golden Boy on Jun 12, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep.

That’s the way to look at it.

Particularly considering that the Magic SHOULD have won Game 2, probably.

So, it certainly is possible.

by rockchalk on Jun 12, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

.. have to take it one game at a time.

Starting with Game 5.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jun 12, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I was not happy watching the game either.

The Lakers did not play well on almost all fronts. The one thing (or one of the few things) the Lakers did do well was take advantage of mistakes made by the Magic. That’s not comforting.

by laker on Jun 13, 2009 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions

After watching that game . . .

I just wish to issue a formal apology to my girlfriend who watched the game with me. At the conclusion of that game, I acted like a psychotic. In front of her, I punched my books in my bookcase (and damaged my pinkie in the process), kicked my sofa several times, screamed “FU%^!!!!!” into my pillows in the other room, screamed a derogatory homosexual term at Pau Gasol whenever they showed his perpetually pouty face, and I even shedded a few frustrated tears the more I thought about that game after I turned off the TV. All in all, I wasn’t very pleasant to be around.

Suffice to say, I wasn’t pleased with that game’s conclusion. I even refusing to read anything about it on all of my favorite sport websites.

Despite all of this, I’m still optimistic for Game 5 and the rest of the series. These are our guys, and they are made of sterner stuff than your typical basketball players. Go Magic!

Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek

by funny80sguy on Jun 12, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

Tough loss, but it happens.

I know that’s a lame mentality to have, just shrug it off. But hey .. it happens. Just have to learn from it.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jun 12, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

With you...

I did the exact same thing….I never realized how rough sports was on me until it got to this point =) needless to say I’m better today. Nothing like a day off to gain some perspective.

by Rebounder on Jun 12, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

people do these things

I broke my fan last year following the Seminoles loss to Georgia Tech in football and put a hole in my wall. I learned from though. It’s not worth getting that mad over sports when you think about it. Easier said than done. That was a tough loss. I made my friend who is a Lakers fan leave immediately.

by jimbrophoto on Jun 13, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Bottom line: do not watch Magic with your girlfriend. Atlanta will do :)

As I said,I couldn’t believe my reactions,being a calm guy and proud of it. You broke some stuff,Jimbro set his friend off,man,that’s not good. I understand frustration,but we must keep ourselves cool or we’ll lose more than just our nerves.

by Dzogi on Jun 13, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Really here's what Game 4 boils down to

Magic miss free throws.
Fisher hits two big shots.
Game (and most likely series) over.

To me nothing else really mattered…the defense on Fisher on that last play, questionable calls, etc. We make free throws and its 2-2, simple as that.

So we’ll see how it goes from here. I guess its not out of the realm of possiblity that we win three straight. Games 2-4 showed how evenly matched these two squads are. But its the fact that LA and Orlando are so evenly matched makes me pessimistic about our chances of winning three straight.

by Lee for three on Jun 12, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

I think you hit the nail on the head with your last sentence.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jun 12, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

We CAN win this... but do we DESERVE?

Of course, it’s not all on Howard, he did so much… Turk ALSO missed THREE free throws late, ANYONE of which would have won the game for the Magic.

And WHERE was Rashard Lewis…?

AND WHY was Nelson kept in the game, just when we needed Alston’s spark and drives inside…?

Questions never answered…

And of course, the REFS ALSO impacted the game by missing the unforgivable foul in the mouth of Nelson by Kobe, again giving fuel to the charge that Superstars get preferential treatment. That foul gave Fisher open room to shoot his game-deciding 3-point shot. Kobe was smiling wide… I was raving MAD!!!

But in all thruth, we lost plain and simple because we MISSED just too many free throws and easy layups. We needed just ONE free throw; ONE LOUSY FREE THROW!

When the going gets tough; It’s the Lakers who get going and deliver. The Magic NEED this Championship; The Lakers DESERVE it.

by manny55 on Jun 12, 2009 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

Lakers definitely deserve the title.

.. after the Magic blew its many chances.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jun 12, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

The refs were pulling for the Magic, I think it was pretty clear.

17 FT differential, plus no FT for the Lakers in 4Q and OT until the end? That’s not just home-cookin’ that’s outright “I want the other team to win”. It’s okay though the ball don’ lie on those FT now do they.

by laker on Jun 13, 2009 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Doubt that.

.. officials don’t openly pull for a team. Circumstances just dictate things one way or the other.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jun 13, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

The refs had nothing to do with that loss

Nothing.

by eltharion_doa on Jun 12, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Couldn’t have said it better myself. The bandwagon thing really bugs me about this town. I’ll never abandon the Magic. Here’s hoping we win Sunday.

by themusicelitist on Jun 12, 2009 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

Believe.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jun 12, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Fans

I dont think Orlando fans will get off the bandwagon. Ive seen way too much growth in fanbase and in Orlando when in the last 3 series the Magic were underdogs. I think it did a good job of waking up the Orlando fanbase with this current playoff run, and the future is bright if the Magic stick together and improve.

by derekk on Jun 12, 2009 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

Like I said .. yesterday, you usually have to experience failure before success.

Last night was a harsh reality, which bore my little axiom true. Sad to say.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jun 12, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

+1 See: lakers last year and this year.

by laker on Jun 13, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Thursday night's loss will shrug off a fair amount of the fly-by-nighters that started rooting for the Magic once we beat the Cavs...

…but I do think the fanbase has grown dramatically thanks to this playoff run!

ORLANDO MAGIC NBA FINALS BOUND!!!!!
LET'S GO MAGIC! LET'S GO!!!

by malars on Jun 13, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

I will admit, initially I was rooting for Orlando just to spite the marketing morons at Nike/Vitamin Water, but this team has more than earned my respect.

Detras de ti, imbecil.

by Diosnomeama on Jun 14, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, that's good.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jun 14, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Hell I have been a fan since 89.. I remember the old guys.. jeff turner, my favourite daryll armstrong and heart and hustle.. Ill always be a fan of the Magic. That being said – the magic gave this game away, and it made me sick.. and I actually lost sleep last night over it. I LOST SLEEP over a sports team. I just couldnt not believe what was happening.. As much as I love Van Gundy, he screwed the pooch.

by i2ambler on Jun 12, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

I'm right there with you

I got very little sleep and when I did it seemed I kept dreaming about this game. It’s so frustrating to see the team give so many points away at the free throw line. And Hedo’s 8-13 upset me more than Dwight’s 6-14. I would have rather lost by 20 than to hand a close one away the way we did.

by Lee for three on Jun 12, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Missed free throws and turnovers.

That’s all I need to say about the game.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jun 12, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I cant fault Magic too much for TOs,

thats them trying to take risks and play hard. The FTs tho……… I dont want to even begin to comment on that subject..

by derekk on Jun 12, 2009 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

You can't put it all on Turk's free throws.

He had a fantastic game. Biggest surprise, Jon Barry singing his praises during the game. Hedo was creating, dishing and scoring. Kept us in the game. It’s a shame his game is being defined by those free throws just like Kobe in game 3.

The Surfdog

by Surfdog on Jun 13, 2009 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions

or even the magic season in general in retrospect

by derekk on Jun 13, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Why this hurts so much

I would have rather lost by 20 than to hand a close one away the way we did.

Exactly.

When this series began I though the Lakers were favorites. But then Game 3 happened, first half of Game 4 happened. They were able to overcome the 3QC, and then Hedo scored 5 straight to get Magic up by 5. I was sure the game was over at that point less than 2 minutes left. It wouldn’t be just a win to make it 2-2, the way they were playing, the way they were poised I became to believe that Magic got a chance as much as the Lakers to win it all.

Game 5 will be the hardest playoff game this year for the Magic emotionaly and mentally. If we are feeling this way think about how the players are feeling.

As much as I admire Hedo, Michael Jordan of Turkey is either an insult to the GOAT or to Turkish Basketball.

by pembeci on Jun 12, 2009 6:15 PM EDT reply actions

Gams 5 will be .. an interesting game.

I’m curious to see how Orlando responds.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on Jun 12, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

They better not go softly like Den and Hou

Those are two incredible teams, but they didnt go out fighting as hard as they could’ve. I expect the Magic to fight all 48, thiis their whole season in one potential game. Ill be there and root as loud as possible for them, and I expect they’ll win.

by derekk on Jun 12, 2009 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

2 corrections

1. I was wrong saying the Magic only committed one foul in the entire fourth quarter (that was called). Howard was nailed for an offensive foul on Gasol at about the 9 or 8 minute mark. However, offensive fouls don’t count towards team fouls, so it slipped my mind.

2. Going back to that particular foul, watching Howard’s reaction, who was upset with not getting the ball before he got caught for the foul, D12 said the following. “C’mon man! FUCK!”

I think we can drop the myth that D12 does NOT curse. Plain as day to anyone who knows how to read lips.

by tandur on Jun 12, 2009 6:21 PM EDT reply actions