A skip-in-my-step morning.
Last Wednesday, I ranted on this blog about how the Orlando Magic and the Tampa Bay Rays (but mostly the Magic) were making me come unglued. My, how things can change in just a few days.
After a historic collapse in Game 5 of their best-of-seven playoff series with Boston Celtics, the Magic rallied to win the next two games, including last night's Game 7 in Boston (101-82), and will move to the Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
For good measure, the Rays came from behind in a weird, eventful game to beat the Cleveland Indians 7-5 for their third win in a row.
But today I'm posting up about the Magic.
On Wednesday, center Dwight Howard caused a flap by calling out coach Stan Van Gundy, questioning his decisions, his poise and, above all, how the coach permitted the team to freeze out their All-Star center. Howard said, in effect, let the Big Dog eat.
His complaints didn't go over well. And, as it turns out, it was the best thing that could've happened. The star-vs.-coach flap was the intangible ingredient that propelled the Magic to the win over the Celts.
This article appears in May 13-19, 2009.