The best way to hide something is quietly and in plain sight. This is the art of close up magic. The ability to distract the focus elsewhere so that what is being done goes un-noticed.
The Orlando Magic are hiding in plain sight. They had the highest win improvement from the previous season.
In a league where franchises are swinging for the fences, to build a championship team over the summer, the Orlando magic have gone all in on themselves. The Orlando Magic Press conference from Monday July 8th 2019, included President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman, Returning All-Star Nikola Vucevic, returning 6th man snub Terrance Ross A.K.A. The Human Torch, as well as new Free agent signing Al-Farouq Aminu (Chief). I was hoping to hear a lot of things that I didn’t. What’s being done with the remaining roster spots? What does Chief’s role look like fitting in on this team? Really anything that would have given me something exciting to look forward to running this thing back.
But the way all 4 of these guys talked had a very serious tone to it. Like Elfrid Payton “Championship” tone. Except nobody laughed this time. You really got the sense that these guys believe, if they play a certain way they have a chance at beating any team on any night. Chief even seemed in his answers to already understand that formula and how he fits that. The “culture” the Magic have built is a “family” culture. I jokingly tweeted that Jeff Weltman would have allowed Tim Duncan’s family on the plane, but the truth is he would have. There is a reason Markelle Fultz is protected and still picks up the phone to welcome his new teammates. This is an organization that cares for their players. On Episode 5 of “Fournier for Real” Evan goes behind some doors I’ve never seen before in the organization and how far they go to make sure they are happy internally.
This team is locked in, they believe in themselves. The illusion is strong, even some of our own fan base have turned on their own. Get ready to crap your pants, the best magic tricks are the ones done right in front of your very eyes. They aren’t believed until they’re seen.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and opinions! Be sure to find me on Twitter @The_Wyatt_Alan and if you aren’t yet follow, @thecloseupmagic where we keep the dialogue going. Follow @picknrocknroll for the latest on my podcast. Stay Stoked Magic Kingdom!
