How are you taking this season?

[Skin]

Last offseason was a wild and memorable whirlwind for all of us Magic fans with the whole Dwightmare situation, the firing of Stan Van Gundy, the resigning of Otis Smith and the Ryan Anderson S&T. New blood came on board in the form of mainly Rob Hennigan, Jacque Vaughn, Arron Afflalo, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless and Andrew Nicholson. A major topic of discussion was based on the Magic's expectations for this season. Some wanted the team to attempt to remain competitive (ie. trading for Bynum or Iggy instead of our prospects). Some wanted to rebuild from scratch through the acquisition of young players and playing for draft position(aka "Tanking"). Some wanted to rebuild and fight for the playoffs simultaneously. Let's not undermine how passionate the discussions were in the beginning of the season. Team sales, season ticket holders, the need for the team to try to win in order to sustain fandom was severely in question.

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So now with the direction of our season clearly pointing to the direction of a complete rebuild through the acquisition of young players, continuing to create cap space (even at the expense of long time fan favorites), and jockeying for draft position, my question is for those who were against this direction, how has the season gone for you? Are you still upset about it? Have you changed your mind at all? Has it been more bearable than you imagined? Or do you still maintain we should've gone another direction... whether it be Bynum, Iggy or another route?

For me, this season has been full of thrill despite the losses. I've gained new promise in the youngsters that we've acquired. Watching the development of Vucevic has been a pure joy. Nicholson and Harkless have shown me flashes that have made this season exciting. They are on their way to making it in this league. To what degree... that is yet to be told, but I treasure their promise and potential. Hennigan has earned a great deal of trust through his methodical approach. Vaughn has a rare combination of class and character that everyone can respect which is something Van Gundy's loose lips and pouty attitude sorely lacked. I love everything about the direction this team is going and I fully understand that in this league it takes taking 2-3 steps back before you can make it to the top. Mediocrity is the real pit you need to get out of. Being at the bottom or the top (of course) is where you can be pleased with your team's status.

That said... ARE YOU READY FOR A REPEAT IN 2013-14?

[NickAnderson]

Cheap tickets!!!!

Really though I've actually been excited to see the young talent develop and can not wait to see who we draft. I have tons of confidence in henny and the staff already and love what they have done in such a short time. One thing I really want is a fuggin dominate wing we haven't had one in so long!!!

[OrlDave]

At this point I'm watching more for individual success. So for example, it pissed me off no end when JV didn't play Vuc much at all in the 2nd half of the blow out game ruining his string of 9+ rebound games. The joy for me is watching Vuc getting 15-20 rebounds or Hark slashing his way to 20. As long as I see progress from the young guys I'll be fine.

Side note, does anyone else think that Henny traded away Ayon and McBob to force JV to play AN and KOQ more consistently? Because he really has no choice now.

[Flannerz]

I knew this season would be tough but being in England helps as I can't go to games so I'm not really 'watching' us lose. Due to work and the time difference its difficult to watch games. I'm starting to get used to checking the result first thing in the morning and seeing that we've lost.

What I find difficult is knowing we need to lose to get better as I don't want us to lose games even though I know it helps us. Being a 'football' fan (I don't like the word soccer! ) we don't have a draft system, so if you're team is having a bad season you could get relegated to the division below. Getting my head around losing being a good thing has been difficult.

[MagicHolland]

I knew this season would be tough but being in England helps as I can't go to games so I'm not really 'watching' us lose. Due to work and the time difference its difficult to watch games. I'm starting to get used to checking the result first thing in the morning and seeing that we've lost.

What I find difficult is knowing we need to lose to get better as I don't want us to lose games even though I know it helps us. Being a 'football' fan (I don't like the word soccer! ) we don't have a draft system, so if you're team is having a bad season you could get relegated to the division below. Getting my head around losing being a good thing has been difficult.

You should really consider a subscription to International League Pass. I have to avoid FB, Twitter and any basketball related websites until I have watched the games, but nothing is more annoying than finding out the results before I have seen the game..

Who are you rooting for in football?

[InFlames]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I've enjoyed watching this season way more than last season, the whole Dwight fiasco just destroyed my soul. I've really enjoyed watching our young guys this year as well as knowing that we have a bright future.

I also forgot what it was like to be excited about the draft, so I have been following college ball a lot closer than usual, it also seems that we have a great young gm who we can all be confident in - completely different than when we had Otis.

And to OrlDave, yes I completely think at least part of the reason to trade Goose and McBob was to free up minutes for Drew and Kyle.

[OrlandO]

Despite the disparity in wins/losses, I'm actually enjoying this season more than last season. Henny's calculated moves in his first 8 months have me optimistic about the future, which is something I never felt with Otis in control. Having all this youth and potential on the roster is exciting as well. We also have two years of top lotto picks to look forward to and we'll have money to spend on free agents. We're going to have a really good shot at putting together a nice team over the next couple seasons. All that makes losing really easy to handle.

[Tayswagzzz]

It's funny because an informed Magic fan can take this season easier knowing we've got a bright future ahead of us, and tanking a season is all part of a greater plan. An uninformed Magic fan thinks we are the laughing stock of the NBA, worst team in the NBA, and have no future, and a couple Magic fans I know say they are done being a Magic fan. It's all part of the process.

[mhectorgato]

Quite frankly, since the D12 drama I've been disconnected. I've yet to re-hookup up fully. I started to reconnect when started the season off good (considering that we traded away a superstar). But since the tanking started in earnest, I watch games occasionally ... but only partially. I still browse the forum, though not nearly as much.

Work life has been crazy which only compounds the issue for me.

I know that we'll soon be ok. Henny seems to have a plan and is doing well. But I can't get going with the team as it is right now.

[BadMofoPimp]

Lets see. I probably only missed 4 games a year for many years. I either went to them or watched on TV.

This year. I have watched maybe half all the way through til the end. Last month I usually start cooking and going to the park and just start watching the 2nd half to see where the Magic are at. I then watch until they start getting blown out in the 4th and I get too disgusted to watch anymore. Same with Hector above, Work has been insanely busy so my interest has waned as my focus is elsewhere.

But, I like some of the youth and am excited to see how they do in their sophomore season after an offseason of training and Summer Leagues!!!

[JBSouthpaw]

I'm a glass is half full kind of guy.
so, I see the positives in Nicholson and Vuc.
the Potential in Harkless.
Next year's high draft pick.
FAs and TPEs

I wonder if Nelson will still do his off season team building week in Philly this year?

[Zmill]

The beginning of the season playing competitive ball was nice and even afterwards seeing the young guys begin to play was nice. But man these blowouts lately are hard to watch..It's all for the tank though. I follow the forums and occasionally watch the games but my game-by-game interest level isn't nearly as high as it used to be. That is to be expected with a tanking season though. I just hope by this time next year one of our young key guys (Harkless, Nicholson, Harris, O'Quinn?) makes a Vucevic level step next year to make this thing a little more bearable and give us a bench mark of where we're at.

[rcklsscognition]

I am really enjoying the season. It doesn't feel like we are the worst team in the league to me, because I have been a fan for over 20 years. I just see this as a reset, and know we will be back in the hunt in 3 years. It is fun to watch the new guys develop, that's always been my favorite part of the game anyway, watching summer league, training camp, and progression. At least now these guys get on the court and I don't have to complain about them being on the bench all the time. It's cool we're also going to be in the lottery once or twice. I see a lot of promise in Vucevic, and really think Harkless could be something. I'm excited to find the franchise's next starting PG too.

[trebone]

Very Badly, I can deal with some of the losing but when you are losing and the young guys are not playing consistent minutes either it really frustrates. If we are going to lose anyway throw them in the deep end and see if they can swim, JV is mainly the most frustrating thing for me, he seems like he is already a lame duck coach...

[BadMofoPimp]

Very Badly, I can deal with some of the losing but when you are losing and the young guys are not playing consistent minutes either it really frustrates. If we are going to lose anyway throw them in the deep end and see if they can swim, JV is mainly the most frustrating thing for me, he seems like he is already a lame duck coach...

Vaughn is the patsy here and was brought in just to coach the young guys obviously. He is hard on none of the players who only coddles and praises effort. With little discipline, I find it hard for the team to really go all out in games to win anymore with the Vets out.