First post in 12 years - I believe, do you believe?

[D-BoFats 5]

True Blue Nation, I return to you now, like the cicada, after nearly 12 years of lying dormant without a post, to impart my basketball wisdom once again.

The game has changed a lot in 12 years.  We are certainly in a new era of basketball: the era of the three.  Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors are most certainly the model for this new era, but let’s not forget who helped lay the blueprint.  We did.

Back in the summer of 2006, True Blue Nation nudged our front office to draft JJ Redick with the 11th pick in the 2006 NBA draft, sensing that JJ would be the perfect jelly to Dwight’s peanut butter.  I was one of the loudest voices in camp Redick in ‘06, not because JJ was a great shooter  (and he most certainly was that), but because I saw his hunger to be a great player.

The profile and characteristics of a successful basketball player has changed throughout the years, but one thing has always been at the core: hunger.  The hunger and work ethic to be the best player one can be.  As we approach the 2022 NBA draft let’s remind ourselves the importance of that characteristic when we make our selection.  I won’t name names, but there are some players in this draft who look like they work a little harder (be that in the gym after the game or on the defensive side during the game).  This is the player I want on the Magic in 5 years.

Back in the summer of 2007, True Blue Nation called for the signing of free agent Rashard Lewis to add to our three point shooting repertoire.  I was one of the most vocal proponents of Lewis because I knew what a dangerous weapon a selfless shooting big man like Lewis could be on our squad. Many at the time called for the Magic to sign the younger Gerald Wallace instead.  While the Rashard Lewis signing proved to be an overpay, he was certainly a key factor in the Magic’s ultimately unsuccessful 2009 NBA Finals run.

Let’s remind ourselves what it was like to have guys on the team who could put the ball in the basket.  Let’s remind ourselves of Rashard’s heroic three point shooting that propelled the Magic past LeBron and the Cavs in ‘09.  Let’s remind ourselves that we once had the best frontcourt in the NBA with Dwight, Rashard and Hedo.  Now, consider the similarities between Wendell, Draft Pick X and Franz.  I won’t name draft pick X, but there’s one guy who gives me that feeling I had back in 2007.

I won’t say who I want the Magic to draft, but I think the writing is on the wall.  There’s one player who not only fits perfectly with our personnel, but also has the work ethic to be great.

Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors are successful not because they’re unicorns.  They’re successful because they are selfless, hungry players with unmatched work ethic.

Close your eyes and picture one of the 2022 NBA draftees hoisting a Finals MVP trophy for the 2025 Orlando Magic.  Who do you see?

 Be the voice for that player.

15 years ago I was a loud voice on these same  forums for the Magic to draft JJ, hire Stan and sign Rashard.  While I know that I ultimately didn’t have much say one way or the other, it was so cool to see a team that I was so vocal about forming make it to the NBA Finals.

I’m clearly not as active on these forums as I once was, but I’d like to remind all the fans of True Blue Nation that you are all the true voice of this team.  Our collective voices shape the franchise more than we know.

 So, in the voice of an old poster Jack Daniels 999, “I believe, do you believe?”

 

[Jon 30]

Issue is Shard was picked very low. Player X will be going number 1. You might pick Shard and miss out on Kobe.

Never go backwards my friend. 

[Soul Bro 1,419]

Welcome back!

[fan for too long 2 531]

Jack, welcome back!!  I Believe!! 
 

in Jabari or Jaden.