The best NBA team that did'nt win it all
The 1994-95 Orlando Magic
How did I think of this? Well, today was St. Patrick's day as you know. And I decided to wear my #20 Sherman Douglas Jersey that I had purchased at the celtics pro shop for $120. I wanted it becuase it was a hot item at the time, and in the area. Being a big C's fan and also Syracuse being my favorite college, I saw this as a no brainer. And besides, this was a game 4 eliminating situation in the playoffs. There was a good chance we could lose this game, since we were facing the Shaquille O'neal led Magic, the #1 team in the eastern confrence (57-25). A likely loss meant this was going to be the historic last game ever played at the storied Boston Garden. Auerbach's best cuban could'nt save us here. and it dawned on me when I had spoke with famed Boston globe columnist Bob Ryan, just prior to the game.
I told him I liked seeing him sunday on ESPN sports reporters and how he always seemed to make Mike Lupica his bitch without trying. I admired it. "what's your name?" Bob said with a semi serious cocked brow. "Rob." I said. "Rob what?" he replied.
This geniunely had me confused. Even if he was some b.s. con artist, why the hell do you ask for a guys last name? I mean, he's Bob Ryan. He covers everything and anything in Boston sports and then some. He then later shows up routinely on sundays for ESPN to let you know what he thinks, wether you care for his opinion or not.
After a short discussion, he says "well root hard for the C's Rob, they're going to need it." I kept thinking to myself, "where is Bobby's confidence at?! we're pushing this to a game 5. We don't go out losing in the garden's last game. No way!"
The game was close and exciting most of the way. But no matter what good fortune came our way, I never got comfortable becuase the Magic were so damn NASTY.
In the last two minutes of the game, Penny Hardaway had two dunks in traffic, each play in a half court set and each play starting from the top of the key with some razzle dazzle and him just str8 up stuff'n it over cats. I had never seen anything like this. I still have'nt. it was just sick. It was almost as if Penny just said to himself, "o.k. enough of this crap, I'm putting the game away." and decided to just dunk over anything in his path two straight possesions.
Penny had those commercials with the talking doll and Chirs Rock voice overs for a reason. Before the injurys and the Phoenix trade, he as a phe-nom. End of story. He was just plain nasty.
the Magic won the game and the series, 95-92. We rushed the floor in pandemonium, acting like we won. Despite our defeat.
the Magic's starting lineup:
C - O'Neal, Shaquille
SF - Scott, Dennis
PF - Grant, Horace
PG - Hardaway, Anfernee
SG - Anderson, Nick
they would lose to the Rockets 4-0 in the finals. I blame coach Brian Hill for this. He had a wealth of talent to work with, but just couldnt get the boys ready for playoff intensity when their overhwelming talent was'nt enough.
The 1994-95 Orlando Magic
How did I think of this? Well, today was St. Patrick's day as you know. And I decided to wear my #20 Sherman Douglas Jersey that I had purchased at the celtics pro shop for $120. I wanted it becuase it was a hot item at the time, and in the area. Being a big C's fan and also Syracuse being my favorite college, I saw this as a no brainer. And besides, this was a game 4 eliminating situation in the playoffs. There was a good chance we could lose this game, since we were facing the Shaquille O'neal led Magic, the #1 team in the eastern confrence (57-25). A likely loss meant this was going to be the historic last game ever played at the storied Boston Garden. Auerbach's best cuban could'nt save us here. and it dawned on me when I had spoke with famed Boston globe columnist Bob Ryan, just prior to the game.
I told him I liked seeing him sunday on ESPN sports reporters and how he always seemed to make Mike Lupica his bitch without trying. I admired it. "what's your name?" Bob said with a semi serious cocked brow. "Rob." I said. "Rob what?" he replied.
This geniunely had me confused. Even if he was some b.s. con artist, why the hell do you ask for a guys last name? I mean, he's Bob Ryan. He covers everything and anything in Boston sports and then some. He then later shows up routinely on sundays for ESPN to let you know what he thinks, wether you care for his opinion or not.
After a short discussion, he says "well root hard for the C's Rob, they're going to need it." I kept thinking to myself, "where is Bobby's confidence at?! we're pushing this to a game 5. We don't go out losing in the garden's last game. No way!"
The game was close and exciting most of the way. But no matter what good fortune came our way, I never got comfortable becuase the Magic were so damn NASTY.
In the last two minutes of the game, Penny Hardaway had two dunks in traffic, each play in a half court set and each play starting from the top of the key with some razzle dazzle and him just str8 up stuff'n it over cats. I had never seen anything like this. I still have'nt. it was just sick. It was almost as if Penny just said to himself, "o.k. enough of this crap, I'm putting the game away." and decided to just dunk over anything in his path two straight possesions.
Penny had those commercials with the talking doll and Chirs Rock voice overs for a reason. Before the injurys and the Phoenix trade, he as a phe-nom. End of story. He was just plain nasty.
the Magic won the game and the series, 95-92. We rushed the floor in pandemonium, acting like we won. Despite our defeat.
the Magic's starting lineup:
C - O'Neal, Shaquille
SF - Scott, Dennis
PF - Grant, Horace
PG - Hardaway, Anfernee
SG - Anderson, Nick
they would lose to the Rockets 4-0 in the finals. I blame coach Brian Hill for this. He had a wealth of talent to work with, but just couldnt get the boys ready for playoff intensity when their overhwelming talent was'nt enough.
