Not Much Magic In Orlando On Sunday!
There was not much Magic in Orlando last night as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 99-86 to win the NBA Championship. It was the Lakers 15th Championship and the first they had won in 7 years. By winning 4 out 5 games in the series Los Angeles was able to remove the cloud that followed them since losing to the Boston Celtics in the finals last year. The Lakers Coach Phil Jackson seemed rather subdued as he acquired his own 10th National Basketball Association Championship. That is one more than legendary Red Auerbach.
The Los Angeles Lakers may have had their hot and cold swings this season but when it mattered they faced the challenge and prevailed. The 16-0 run in the second period of last nights game seemed to take the magic right out of the Magic. Kobe Bryant won the Most Valuable Player Award and rightfully so. He worked hard to claim his 4th Championship ring and no one can take that away from him. His leadership carried on after the game was over as he encouraged his teammates to live in the moment. He told them to forget about the adversity of last year and restrain from concerns about the next and to treasure the moment forever.
The Lakers players praised Coach Jackson for giving them the room to play the game the way it was intended. He did not try to mold them but allowed the best in them to present itself. Coach Jackson has not been able to get around like years past. The 64 year old has gone through hip replacement surgery said he was unable to push players like he did a decade ago. Physically he may have been a little slower but the fire of passion that pours from true champions still shown in his eyes. He said he was proud of this team for the self motivation they displayed. The bond between Coach and player was unmistakeable.
As for the Orlando Magic they ended their season with 1 finals game victory. This year it was not to be. As always in sports and competition there is the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. However, the Magic should not hold thier heads low. They reached the NBA Finals and they faced a powerful adversary with heart and passion. They fell to a great Championship team but this does not mean that they are not Champions in thier own right. The Magic will have to find solace in the fact that there is always the opportunity to find tha Magic again next year. Until next time remember to always be a good sport.













