New season starts now

This column is going to be extremely cliche. But it needs mentioning with 30-plus games remaining and Orlando's season in relative balance at the All Star break.

Everyone is 0-0. It is not how you start, it is how you finish. Nothing matters unless you perform in the postseason. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

But the truth is the last 31 games this year is going to tell us which team Orlando will have in the playoffs. Assume at this point that Jameer Nelson is not coming back.

As much as you hate to say it (and I think of the Chicago Bulls from a few years back as I say it) , the Magic's window for a title is still open and there is no reason to risk it dramatically shutting on this year when the team is not going to win the title -- ask yourself honestly.

So the team that has struggled since returning from a 4-0 West Coast road trip and looked listless since Nelson went down is the team the Magic get. Do not expect a major move at the deadline (who will they trade?), maybe expect a signing, definitely expect some pressure.

It is clear this Magic team is not as good as one with Nelson -- doesn't take a genius to see that. The expectation of reaching the conference finals is difficult now, but certainly not impossible. Playoff experience should still be the goal.

That goal can still be achieved. It is going to take a much more focused effort from Dwight Howard and Nelson's replacements -- Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue.

Howard has been up and down this season. He has been great and his down is still All Star-worthy. But he needs to become a SUPERstar for Orlando to still reach its goals.

The Magic are secure in the Southeast Division. But once the playoffs start and the records really go to 0-0... then they cannot rely on what they did with Nelson.

If Orlando plays well the next two months, then everything will be fine and dandy. If not, then we are looking at a disappointing season -- injury or no injury.

Time to get that sense of urgency. Because right now we're 0-0.