One may ask what I am doing on a professional basketball blog? The answer is simple in three-fold; I love basketball and Orlando Magic, and OPP is by far the best forum in business that I know of. But is it enough to endure ad hominem insults by people who are not good enough to carry one’s jock straps just to maintain a presence? Maybe not! To be clear, I have two motivations in any venture I get involved in:

1. As a teacher, a sincere desire to jump on teachable moments.
2. As a scientist, to strive for precision.

Combine these elements with Orlando Magic, and one may have a critical mass for imminent explosion.

I have a hunch that I may have been a bad diplomat since I have always had a hard time to stay neutral. My idea of neutral individuals loved by everyone has been “What do they have to do with me?”. My hero is Lincoln who - when accused of being two-faced – said “If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?”.

I have been vocal on this blog, to say the least, and that brought many vicious attacks on me by individuals, some of whom are no longer here. I have been portrayed as a child who wants to impress upon the world, and was called many honorable names by people judging me in their puny worldviews. I guess the beauty of the Internet is that the social distances are removed whereby the smallest of the smalls may have their time of the day with someone whom they may not dare to challenge in any other conceivable setting.

I still have my aforementioned motivations, but no longer the desire to continue without enjoying the luxury to be supported when attacked. I have recently supported a tighter policy in controlling personal attacks which started a vicious cycle of personal attacks. My recent 'adventures' prove that irresponsible behaviors are on the rise wherein some individuals act with impunity in a manner detrimental to the quality of the blog. I had the honor of being supported by a few when I became vocal on Otis Smith’s fiasco, but not much on anything else. Therefore, I am hanging on my gloves as far as it relates to this blog.

In looking back, I think what I brought to this forum was a business perspective conveyed in two practical frameworks:

• Magic fans cannot be treated as sheep despite the private nature of the ownership.
• Individual staff on Magic’s payroll have to be accountable for their actions, or lack thereof.   
  

I failed to advance any of the two to the finishing line, but then remember the old cliché that “An experience is achieved when you fail to get what you want”. I would miss my conversations with a few but I would not mention names in fear of leaving anyone’s out. These were individuals not only knowledgeable and passionate in Magic basketball, but also well versed in many other areas relative to complementary legal, business and social affairs. I dare to mention one name though, 3.3seconds, who has been absent from this blog for a long time. I extend my gratitude to the rest.

I wish you all the best … press on!