What They're Saying: Magic vs. Hawks 11/26

-Rich DeVos was on a radio show in Detroit earlier today and said he has no interest in buying another pro franchise and that the small teams in the NBA really struggle.

-Repeating what I wrote this morning, Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel agrees the Magic gave one away last night against the Heat.

-Jason Williams had one crazy night last night. For all but 30 seconds, it was probably one of the best games of his career with 25 points, eight assists and one turnover in 39 minutes of action.

-Stan Van Gundy's positive attitude is getting some laugh among his fellow coaches.

-It's a Josh Smith Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

-The Hawks are 11-3 and a serious threat to the Magic's Southeast Division supremacy, but they are still struggling at the gate. Ken Suguira of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the team is struggling to fill Philips Arena despite the hot start and last year's second-round playoff appearance.

-Mike Bibby is uncertain for tonight's game after spraining his ankle Saturday against New Orleans. The Hawks will also be wearing their sparkling new red alternat uniforms too.

-Erivera7 of 3rd Quarter Collapse called last night's game an instant classic between in-state rivals. I cannot stand reading any more about this game since it is so clear we blew it.

-Rashard Lewis admits he is still playing catch up after his 10-game suspension.

-How did Dwight Howard get so strong? Chitlins.

What They're Saying: Magic vs. Nets 10/30

-Courtney Lee was floored when he found out he was traded, but as Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel reports, he still has nothing but love for the city of Orlando.

-Vince Carter's reunion tour kicks off tonight in New Jersey and will head on up to Toronto for a game Sunday afternoon. Pretty emotional start of the season for Vince.

-Count owner Rich DeVos among the many Magic front office members with reservations about trading Courtney Lee, George Diaz reports.

-After losing a 16-point lead against Minnesota, New Jersey will need to refocus to handle Vince Carter's return. Devin Harris has definitely noticed so far what having Carter on his team meant for his offensive opportunities, Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes.

-There seems to be no animosity toward Vince Carter's departure. The Nets will welcome him "home" for their home opener tonight, Colin Stephenson of the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

-Nets forward Jarvis Hayes will be out 2-3 weeks after straining his left hamstring in New Jersey's loss to Minnesota on Wednesday.

-Orlando Magic broadcaster David Steele will miss tonight's game to attend the induction of his father into the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. It is the first game in 21 years he has voluntarily missed. Picked a pretty good reason.

-The Puns are Starting to Bore Me takes a look at the Vince Carter/Hedo Turkoglu switch-a-roo from a purely financial standpoint.

-In The Zzone, by Al Iannazzone of The Record, reports the loss of Jarvis Hayes could be a big one as Lawrence Frank was expecting him to play two or three different positions. Look from more Terrence Williams and maybe even some Eduardo Najera in his absence the next few weeks.

-New Jersey is thinking about trying the basketball version of the NFL's wildcat offense, using Courtney Lee, Devin Harris and Terrence Williams in the lineup at the same time. After one game, NetsAreScorching does not give a good review.

-Vince Carter might see an extra bit of contact tonight. Or at least that's what Devin Harris joked he will see.

-Devin Harris gave Courtney Lee some advice about playing his old team from his experience playing his first couple games against the Mavericks last year (a team Harris went to the Finals with). But the most important thing is not the individual stats, but whether they win.

-Newark's new downtown arena is still waiting for money from the New Jersey Devils and Seton Hall basketball programs, but would love to see the Nets move into the relatively new building.

-John Schuman of NBA.com writes about how the three players Orlando sent to New Jersey -- Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie -- helped build the Magic last season and how shocking it really was to have to trade them all away.

Grab A Handle... and hang on

The photos were snapped, public service announcements recorded, interviews taped and players met together for officially the first time yesterday at the RDV Sportsplex. It is cold outside for the first time all fall and that means it is finally basketball season.

In the words of the Joker, "Here... we... go."

This is arguably the most anticipated season of Magic basketball in the franchise's 21-year history. Owner Rich DeVos dipped into the before unimagined luxury tax realm to try to ensure his team brings home its first championship. Buoyed by last year's trip to the NBA Finals, the once lofty dreams of lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy have become the only acceptable outcome for the 2009-10 season.

Once again, "Here... we... go."

To continue my somewhat silly superhero movie references -- notice how I have not mentioned Dwight Howard yet (damn) -- with great expectations, comes great responsibility.

And that is why the new catch-word for the team struck a chord with me.

"Grab a Handle"

Like Boston's "Ubuntu" or Los Angeles' "Kobe" (just kidding on that last one), there is a sense of togetherness that comes from this phrase. The sense that through the work of the team, everyone can succeed. It is the type of mentality that every team always credits with inspiring them to a title that season.

Will this one work? Only time will tell.

But Stan Van Gundy and Otis Smith, I think have caught on to the right idea.

It is no secret this is one of the deepest and star-studded teams in the league now. There are four potential All Stars in the starting lineup, something that has not been seen since the 2006 Pistons. I do not expect all four of these guys to make a return trip to the big game in Dallas, but to see three again would not be surprising.

But individual accolades are meaningless to a team that has championship aspirations. It would be nice to get the same type of recognition that Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson and Howard got last year, but that is not what is important.

What is important is Grabbing a Handle.

Think about it. In order to power a canoe or row boat (that is not made for an individual, at least) it takes the concerted effort of all the rowers working together to prople the craft through the water. Why do you think crew is so hard?

The same atmosphere and comraderie has to pervade the Magic locker room. The team, at least in its words to the press, is not satisfied with its runner-up finish last year.

So how will Vince Carter fit into the system? Will he be the star Stan Van Gundy hopes he can be, or will he be the ball hog all of Carter's detractors (myself included) fear he could be.

Will Dwight Howard try to put too much on his shoulders? Will Jameer Nelson put too much on his shoulders? What will the affect of the Rashard Lewis suspension be? Can Orlando win with a conventional playing lineup? Will the team keep the resiliency that has become the team's trademark under Stan Van Gundy?

Who knows what the answers to these questions will be.

I know they will all be answered in a positive manner for the Magic if each player "Grabs a Handle."

Magic Wands: February 13, 2009

-Lucky day today... use it wisely.

-Keyon Dooling made his first visit to Orlando since a somewhat testy summer between he and the Magic. But as Brian Schmitz reports, Dooling is still close to his Orlando teammates -- especially Jameer Nelson. The Florida native's father is also sick and his family will not be driving up from Fort Lauderdale for the game. I speak on behalf of all Magic fans when I wish his family the best and a speedy recovery for his father.

-A chronicle of The Curse from long-time Magic beat writer Brian Schmitz after Nelson's injury. He only hits the highlights, leaving out the countless poor draft picks, crippling contracts and questionable transactions in the years since Shaquille O'Neal left.

-Still great to see No. 10 around the Magic. Would have been nice to see him retire as a member of the Magic (experienced point guard... don't know if he can still play 20 minutes a game). Darrell Armstrong was on Magic Overtime with Dante & Galante. Watch the whole episode on their blog.

-In these times more franchises will probably be doing this and more. But The Orlando Sentinel reports that the price for season tickets will not be increasing in Amway Arena's final season.

-H-O-R-S-E makes its premier at All Star Weekend on Saturday night. Kevin Durant, O.J. Mayo and Joe Johnson will be you competitors on the outdoor court in Phoenix. Wish they got bigger names to be in it, but we will see how the inaugural event goes.

-Mike Bianchi received a letter from Denver that makes you love athletes again... or at least remember why having Adonal Foyle on the team is so good.

-With injuries to Jameer Nelson and Chris Bosh, Ray Allen and Mo Williams have been named to the All Star team. Williams was named Bosh's replacement Tuesday ending a lot of screams and shouts from Cleveland about his exclusion. Which brings up the question: who is going to back up Dwight Howard at center now?

-Elgin Baylor filed a suit against the Los Angeles Clippers claiming owner Donald Sterling treated him and players in a racist manner. My first thought was, no way could you be suing him when he stood by you for 20-plus years while the Clippers struggled on the court. Sterling is guilty of not caring about the product on the court if anything. Then I read the story and thought about it more and there might be something to this. It is always sticky with race in the NBA and the outcome of this case could be interesting.