This “magifesto” has been circling in my mind since right before the playoffs last year. Its taking this
Long for me to finally get it from my head and onto paper~ where it goes from here I have no idea. Not gonna lie I took my thoughts to ChatGPT and let it do its thing below – I’ll freestyle again in a minute – enjoy~
Just Chris
Scribed this day of March 14th, 2025
Throughout the rich history of the NBA, greatness has often been measured by championships. But we know better. We know that legends are not just made of rings, but of resilience, heart, and an unwavering commitment to the game.
Names like Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Allen Iverson, Reggie Miller, Steve Nash, Patrick Ewing, and Dominique Wilkins stand as proof that true greatness is not always rewarded with a championship trophy. These icons fought, dazzled, and inspired millions—proving that the journey, the grind, and the love of the game are what truly define a legacy.
In the NBA, championships define eras, and legends are made on the biggest stage. The greatest players to ever grace the hardwood—Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Julius “Dr. J” Erving—are forever etched in history for their excellence and dominance.
But no legend stands alone. Behind every dynasty, there are the unsung heroes—the supporting cast who made greatness possible.
Every great player had a team around them—a collection of stars, role players, and specialists who brought championships to life.
Since 1989, we have chased greatness with an underdog spirit. We've seen transcendent talents come through our franchise, building teams that electrified the league.
Right now, the Orlando Magic may not have a name that rivals the legends of past champions. We may not have a Kobe, a Shaq, or a Duncan—but what we do have is something just as powerful: a deep, hungry, and unselfish team filled with young players who embrace their roles and push each other to be great.
While other teams rely on one or two stars to carry them, we are building a team that wins together.
We have a team of talented writers and editors who are passionate about their craft. Our contributors come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a unique perspective to the stories they cover.
The Orlando Magic are not waiting for a superstar to come and save them—we are building a team that will one day compete for a championship because of our work ethic, our belief in each other, and our commitment to playing the right way.
We may not have a Shaq or Dwight right now, but we have more of the key supporting players that great teams need than almost any other young team in the NBA. With the right growth, development, and chemistry, we will prove that a team built from the ground up can rise to the top.
My family and I became Magic Fans last year – work had blessed us to be able to afford season tickets that even allowed us to meet some of the players. I remember last year at an ‘80’s theme gathering and working the nerve to speak with some of the players. I’d like to share some of that night and more
I came up to you first and said “you need more playing time!” Your response was pointing to the coach and telling me to go talk to him. While I’m not taking the credit – the next game it was announced you had played more minutes that game than any other game of the season, and the following game you started for the first time! YOUR WELCOME! Lol I now see your time back down again and it appears you have lost some confidence in yourself. You are a giant of a person – carry that persona onto the floor and get back to ballin! Don’t be scared to get in there and mix it up – show some emotion, show some anger , passion – let it out!
I came up to you and told you after the first game my son and I became instant fans of yours and got your jersey. I remember your appreciation and humbleness – truly a good person. I asked you “why is it every time you get hot – coach pulls you out” With a little bit of a blush you pointed over to coach and said talk to him. Since then it looks like Coach doesn’t do the “auto-pull” and you have been able to prove yourself – you rose your game up when Paolo went down and I believe we all got to see what you are capable of doing night in and night out! Keep rockin!
I had 3 questions for you. 1. How many people had asked you why you cut those horn looking things off your head. 2. What was your vertical? And 3. I asked you “why don’t you start vs coming off the bench”. You didn’t point at coach – you were very humble, said you were comfortable coming off the bench and contributing any way the team needed you to contribute. Your star has brighten in past games and even when your performance isn’t the best – your effort is the greatest. You are going to be a force that teams are going to have to “study” in order to contain you. My only thought is - don’t try and force a play when driving to the basket – use your quickness and ability to soar to see that slight opening and take it to them!
If I recall you were just recently getting back into the swing of things coming off an injury that had you sidelined. I expressed how great it was to see you play and being the backbone of the backboards and doing the hard work. You are a beast! Watching you play I see the emotion at times you carry when your performance is slightly not where you expect it to be – with watery eyes on the bench – and I wonder is it because you are playing with pain or you are that hard on yourself when things are not going exactly as planned. And then lately I see the smile on your face when you make a 3 – I see the fire in your eyes when you are scrapping for the ball – Don’t hold that emotion in, let it out, show it to the fans – we got your back! Side note - were you at Universal this year for Halloween? Could have sworn I saw you coming off a ride!
It was getting towards the end of the night – you were sitting on top of a counter or something – off to yourself a little like you were ready to get back to your crib or maybe even back on the floor to work on your game. I had to come up to you because had I not, my wife would not have forgiven me! I remember telling you how awesome it was to see you play and your mad ball skills. I said that it would be nice if you showed a little more emotion because I could tell you are the leader of the team and the team looks to you – to follow your leadership. Be that Warrior (no don’t leave for GSW), show your guys that all of you are in the fight together and that everyone is needed on the battlefield every game, every night. I then asked you what nationality you were – that through you off a little – but I thought maybe you had some “Hispanic” in you and mentioned that my Puerto Rican wife told me I better get a picture with you! 😊
It was a memorable night – it was an honor getting to meet with and talk with some of you that night. Not gonna lie – I was just coming into being a Magic Fan and didn’t know the players as well then as I feel I do now that time has gone by and many many games have been played. Those that I didn’t get to meet then I did have some words prepared in case I did…..for some you that night , and for some of you now.
That night all I could think of wanting to say to you is “Dude, cut your hair”! Your constant coming it back with your hands and then your hands are all sweaty – just didn’t make any sense to me – granted, you was not getting a lot of playing time, so what I did see wasn’t too impressive and I felt that “maybe if he didn’t get his hands all sweaty from combing back his hair…” LOL If I saw you today and I would say – What a powerhouse and leader! You certainly rose your game up when you needed to when Paolo went down and started to become another force that teams had to be concerned with. I know you are working hard to come back and its nice to see you behind the bench – your “fireness” is missed. How about a fired up message for the jumbo screen for the fans already – we miss you too! Sidenote: Did you landlord let you slide on rent for the past few months - you know being injured and all…. 🙂
My wife calls you the “ Rim Greaper” says she came up with it all by herself , but I’m thinking she had to hear a commentator say it on TV – Regardless – that’s you – blocking shots, grabbing rebounds , keeping the other team out of your HOUSE! When Paolo went down your game went up – there was a fire burning inside and your game level rose - but so did your hair! Cut that hair – don’t worry about your “image” , its hurting your game – enough so that a couple games ago I saw you pulling a “mini-mo” and having to move it out of your eyes on the free throw line and then you came out the second half with a head band – so while most consider the long hair a sign of strength like Samson – you are better off the other way. I’ve seen some photos of you with a tight GI Joe look on top and on the face – that dude can THUNDER on the court!
Hey man, you are in the NBA! You deserve to be there, you are a top player with mad skills. Don’t forget that! I was going to tell you that maybe you need to chew some gum, because I feel your nerves get you when you first step on the court and that always leads to cotton mouth – gum would probably help that – then I saw you chewing some, so maybe my thoughts transmitted to you. You have to build your upper body strength if you are going to keep going into the middle and mix it up with the big fellas…or – take off a little earlier, get that ball higher above your head and soar up in there before they even know you are there. Your aggressiveness lately has shown you got the moves – just know that in yourself and just do it!
I had to make a shout out to you – we got the same last name! I sat next to you one pre-game this year and pulled out my drivers license – and you had this WTF look in your eyes – yes there are lots of us out here! You have a personality that brings the team together, always the first one off the bench to greet the team during a timeout , always showing the type of emotion a fan shows when a huge dunk or 3 is made! Then you get on the court and have shown some signs of greatness. I don’t know your whole journey but I know the Magic needs you and that you will become to have a bigger role in the future. Keep on believing! PS. Thanks for the signed Jersey and the personalized video to my wife- means a lot.
It took a few more games than some of the others to truly get to know you – and now that you are out of commission, I feel I know you even better. My wife always makes the comment that you are like a child with ADHD running around all over the place, falling all the time! I see a not stop energizer, sonic, fireball game in, game out. Not afraid of putting your body out there to do whatever it takes to WIN! Your ball skills , emotion and leadership is ALL equally important and you are missed – the teams heart beats a little slower when you are not out there. I wish you well,health and can’t wait to see you on the floor again.
I did come up to you that night and spoke a little – it was more to tell you that I had spoken to some of your key players and that everything was going to be alright. You shook my hand with a look of “Am I supposed to know this guy” – and the answer is no – I’m Just Chris. Of course I have some questions, thoughts and comments for you too! Your coaching staff – do you have anyone that “gives it to you straight” or are they are “yes men”? Do they question your coaching , some decisions you make during the game or are they more concerned with keeping their job. I would hope you have at least one that gives their unfiltered opinion for the betterment of the team. If I was in the press room after the game some questions I would ask – Why does it feel like substitutions are “pre-determined” before the game and doesn’t rely on real game time scenario. I can almost predict to the nearest minute when Franz is coming out, then Paolo, then Cole. Then the other two – although usually its also predictable when Franz and Paolo are coming back in, Cole is left on the bench even when he was hot and maybe just needed to come and catch his breath and get back out there. I know they play 80ish games a year and you have to rest their bodies, but these guys are young – they need to run. And the offense – do we have one of the slowest offense because we use all our energy on defense. Its like - lets go down, to guys on the wing, big man in the middle and lets Franz or Paolo play one on one. The defense gets to rest because we are barely moving and we have two guys on the wing that probably isn’t their favorite place to shoot a 3 if it gets kicked out. Get Trevlin in there and let him wear out their good offense players by covering them like a blanket!
A few games recently, maybe by choice or maybe by accident, we get into a running game and we KICK BUTT! Let’s move those wing guys back and forth, up and down, we are young with younger guys on the bench. Tire out the old teams when they are on defense and watch their offense suffer. When I look at the players I see each having a “score” that embodies their offense, defense, scoring ability, rebounding and leadership – combine them all to give them a “score” of say 1-5. Obviously the starters should all be close to a 5 – some may be a 4 or even a 3.5 – given that the guys on the bench would in most cases be lower than that. If everyone has a score - then the SUM of all 5 scores on the floor should always be maximized. You take out 5 – FIVES or a sum of 25 and replace it with a sum of 15 – you are going to be hurting during that time on the floor. Just seems like there is something missing. But remember – I’m Just Chris – with thoughts and ideas. Cut loose a little on the sideline when we are winning – that smile of yours could be very contagious – but we don’t see it often enough.
When I think of the story the Magic is trying to convey to the fans – I think of a Kingdom that has been torn down – Paolo out, then Mo, Franz, Suggs – if there was ever a time for a rebuild of strength, confidence, togetherness it is now. What a symbol it would be for you to have a round table like Sir Arthur did in the Medieval times that Coach, the players could sit at – no one more important than the other – that everyone at the table is needed in equal – maybe in different ways but nevertheless needed – without everyone at the table our Kingdom would not have a chance to rise to the greatness it is so deserving for the hard work, sweat and tears that is put in each and every day.
Not sure who would address these thoughts but some things I was wondering about –
1. Who is in charge of the music – today’s music – while its nice, it only gets the head moving up and down – not the whole body – Let’s gets some old school out there one time and see what it does to the fans and subsequently to the players and we all feed off each others energy. How about “let groove tonight” by EWF or Lose Yourself by Eminem, I got a Feeling by Black Eyed Peas, Can’t stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake! – something that gets the body moving!
2. Who is in charge of the temperature inside the Center. It’s Freezing! I see the guys with some kind of blanket when on the bench, blowing through their hands when they are on the floor – its too cold, we can’t even sweat! The fans are willing to give up a little comfort (actually we are freezing too) in order for the players to actually warm up during warm ups and then have the ability to get HOT during game time!
Now that I have this on paper and out of my head, maybe it won’t consume part of my brain anymore and I can go about my daily life. I hope more than anything that anyone reading this gets a smile on their face or even a “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing” – after all it’s a game and we should enjoy watching it as much as the players enjoy playing it –
Life can be tough at times, more for some , less for others – I know that the Magic has brought a special “other purpose” to our family – to watch my wife yell at the TV during the away games or how her eyes light up at a Home game – it helps to forget about life’s battles for just a few hours and we just enjoy the game.
I would like to close by saying a great Thank You to Jonathan with his contagious smile for introducing me to the Magic and season tickets and Justin Wrathman who has been the greatest Magic Rep you could ask for – the above and beyond he has show my family and I is truly appreciated and I consider him more of a life long friend than anything else.