Official Speculation Thread (Pt.LII "Lottery/Draft" Edition)

[Big A All Day]

Hate to be the sour grape in the bunch, but IMO if you can jump ship from a team after such an extended period of fandom, only because you have moved interstate, you weren't really much of a fan to begin with. I'm sure everyone here will argue with me as Raj obviously built more friendships here than myself, and he did seem like a pretty dedicated fan, but c'mon! I could never just switch alliances like that. Shows a character flaw IMO. Why can't you just go to Seattle and proudly rep the Magic and go to the games when they come to town? Flame away people, but this is only my opinion.

Nothing personal Rax but I agree. 4 yrs ago I moved from Orlando to Arizona and I didn't just become a suns n cardinals fan. I'm pretty much the only person out here wearing Magic n Dolphins jerseys. I'll always rep my teams no matter where I am or how bad they're playing. That's just me

[glennathan]

It is from Magical so take it with a grain of salt, but here we go

@MagicalNBA: Magic have a scout "full timing" it on Marcus smart. It's between him and Noel, but it was shabazz preseason, so things change.

[MagicTownBaller]

I have been and always will be a fan of rooting for the team in the city that you live. I'm honestly glad there are people out there like Raj who understand and respect that. Whenever I go to the Magic games, it annoys me so much when I hear "Let's go Knicks" or "Let's go HEAT" chants, because they are not rooting for the hometown team. Yes, I am upset that we are losing a really good Magic fan, but I would be a hypocrite if I criticized him over choosing to root for the team in the city he lives. From all the time I've known Raj, he's been a loyal guy. So, for him to switch to another team, there has to be a good reason for that and I think he is justified to make that decision after 20 years of fanhood.

Anyways, Raj, I said this last night, but I wish you all the best with your "possible" new team. The one thing that pains me is that I don't want to see Sacramento lose their team but I want to see Seattle gain a team back. I remember the SuperSonics and they were so much fun to watch. I watched them a lot when they had Rashard and literally freaked out when we actually signed him.

[glennathan]

“@JoshuaBRobbins: SVG said Magic management told him after the lockout that Dwight wanted him fired . . .”

[Neato]

you will be back dj, oh yes, you will be back.

to be more serious, i'm sorry to hear you leave. you were great here. as for rooting for another team, i tried doing that when i moved to atlanta several years ago. i just couldn't get my heart into it. the most i could do was casually support the hawks. but i understand your reasons. you're looking at the bigger picture than just sports by itself.

[BadMofoPimp]

I am still wondering, how can you just not be a fan. I mean, you can stop posting, but does one just hate the team and root against them now?

Thus, I don't believe DJ won't be a fan, just less of a fan. Being an avid Magic fan has just taken a back seat and way down on the list of priorities.

[Shishnizzle]

It's going to be years before Seattle has a team. The Kings are not leaving Sacremento.

[Cigamodnalro]

I agree...Raj, we'll miss you, but you'll be back. I've spent time away from this forum before, and even then, I found it very difficult to avoid checking box-scores at the very least. I'd zone off in class, and find myself suddenly on hoopshype scouring for any Magic news I could find. I'd be backpacking somewhere across the world, come across an internet cafe, and find that I couldn't not apportion a significant period of my 15 available minutes to catching up on what I had missed.

I haven't lived in Orlando for a few years now. I am in graduate school at Indiana--basketball country--and still I've found ways to follow my team. In approximately five months, I will be moving to Chicago, where I will presumably live for the rest of my life. I will attend Bulls games, I am sure. And still I will be an Orlando Magic fan. I watched Nick Anderson steal the ball, and miss the free throws. I was in the stands when Darrell intercepted the inbound pass and dribbled cross-court for the win. I watched Monty Williams miss a jump shot that would have put Heart-and-Hustle in the 8 seed, and received letters from my dad at summer camp detailing the Horace-for-Maggette swap. I watched T-Mac go off on the Bucks in an electric playoff series (we lost), read obsessively about the Steve Francis blockbuster while visiting potential colleges, and did more scouting than Otis Smith's entire fleet of scouts leading up to each draft. I debated Dwight vs. Okafor for hours with anyone who would listen, and have grown with my team. I was there smiling, surrounded by violent LeBron fans, when we dismantled the Cavaliers, and was high-fiving complete strangers in a crowded bar during our Finals victory against LA. Many of my strongest friendships have been forged by talk of basketball, and in every conversation I can't not rep my team. I am a Magic fan. And Raj, I've seen you post long enough to know that you've been bitten too. You can move to the edge of Canada and you can change your avatar, but I'd be shocked if, late at night, the mouse doesn't guide your hand back to where you belong, and that's right where you've been for the better of two decades now. Raj, as is the case with JJ Redick...I don't care what the front of your jersey says...you are Magic for life.

[magicfan4life05]

DJRajX,

it was a fun ride man. Always enjoyed your posts and contribution to the board. Best of luck to you and your career and I hope you stop by here sometimes !

[BadMofoPimp]

I know when I took my year and a half vacation to explore the rockies, I went to a Nuggets game and followed the Nuggets and Broncos for a year. Denver Post has an excellent sports section. But, I was still a Magic fan in the end, just wasn't following them as much.

[G-Heel]

“@JoshuaBRobbins: SVG said Magic management told him after the lockout that Dwight wanted him fired . . .”

? Did I just travelled back a year or something?

[Optimus_Steel]

I am sorry but that's just a pathetic reason to bail on the team you have supported thru thick and thin for 20 years.

[glennathan]

“@JoshuaBRobbins: SVG said Magic management told him after the lockout that Dwight wanted him fired . . .”

? Did I just travelled back a year or something?

No you didn't. Josh Robbins just posted that on his twitter feed. Said he just did an interview with SVG

[recko321]

I agree...Raj, we'll miss you, but you'll be back. I've spent time away from this forum before, and even then, I found it very difficult to avoid checking box-scores at the very least. I'd zone off in class, and find myself suddenly on hoopshype scouring for any Magic news I could find. I'd be backpacking somewhere across the world, come across an internet cafe, and find that I couldn't not apportion a significant period of my 15 available minutes to catching up on what I had missed.

I haven't lived in Orlando for a few years now. I am in graduate school at Indiana--basketball country--and still I've found ways to follow my team. In approximately five months, I will be moving to Chicago, where I will presumably live for the rest of my life. I will attend Bulls games, I am sure. And still I will be an Orlando Magic fan. I watched Nick Anderson steal the ball, and miss the free throws. I was in the stands when Darrell intercepted the inbound pass and dribbled cross-court for the win. I watched Monty Williams miss a jump shot that would have put Heart-and-Hustle in the 8 seed, and received letters from my dad at summer camp detailing the Horace-for-Maggette swap. I watched T-Mac go off on the Bucks in an electric playoff series (we lost), read obsessively about the Steve Francis blockbuster while visiting potential colleges, and did more scouting than Otis Smith's entire fleet of scouts leading up to each draft. I debated Dwight vs. Okafor for hours with anyone who would listen, and have grown with my team. I was there smiling, surrounded by violent LeBron fans, when we dismantled the Cavaliers, and was high-fiving complete strangers in a crowded bar during our Finals victory against LA. Many of my strongest friendships have been forged by talk of basketball, and in every conversation I can't not rep my team. I am a Magic fan. And Raj, I've seen you post long enough to know that you've been bitten too. You can move to the edge of Canada and you can change your avatar, but I'd be shocked if, late at night, the mouse doesn't guide your hand back to where you belong, and that's right where you've been for the better of two decades now. Raj, as is the case with JJ Redick...I don't care what the front of your jersey says...you are Magic for life.

[Viper1500]

I am sorry but that's just a pathetic reason to bail on the team you have supported thru thick and thin for 20 years.

I wouldn't say "pathetic" but I have to agree somewhat

Hope to see you return

[RickB-Orlando]

I don't mean to derail, but I figured I would post this here rather than make a new thread.

Where has my dude DJRajX been?...

Unless Im just missing his posts haha

Hey guys,

I know some people have posted here or messaged me on twitter asking where I've been the past couple of months. Truth is I moved to Seattle for my new work back in January of this year. I decided to get accustomed and acclimated to the Pacific NW's people, culture, music, arts, and sports.

So with this change, I will be cheering for the (pending) return of the Supersonics come next season, as well as the other Seattle sports teams, since I will presumably be spending the rest of my life here.

I told VGOSWAMI, MagicTownBaller (Keep the Spec thread alive, you and arsenal6106 ), and The Real Dalic weeks ago, but I figured it was time for me to tell everyone else, since everything settled down now with the hectic move/schedule I had.

Luckily, when it came to the MLS, I've been a Sounders fan for many years, so that wasn't too hard of a decision. However, when it came to the NBA and NFL, it was a tough decision to let go of the Magic and Jags (two teams I've been a loyal fan of for 20 and 17 years, respectively), but I've read and heard multiple stories about people moving to another city (for various reasons) and eventually growing to love the new area's sports franchises over time. So with that said, I figured I would exacerbate the process and jump right into my new environment headstrong. I want to integrate myself in my new setting, socially and culturally. I hope you guys understand and respect my decision.

I really liked the Sonics in the 90s and early/mid 00s (Kemp/Payton and Rashard/Allen days) growing up, so that helped. I also know the rich basketball history of the Sonics very well. As for the Seahawks and Mariners, I'm starting from scratch with them, and unfortunately I don't have a new NHL team to root for locally here, but I heard rumors that the Coyotes might relocate to Seattle.

I had a lot of great memories and talks with you guys on the Magic forum. Thank you for all the great discussions, late night shenanigans, and entertaining posts. 2013 and beyond will mark a huge change for me as an adult, as I just turned 25 and earned my Master’s degree. It's weird, I spent my entire life in Central and North Florida, but it's time for me to move on, explore, evolve, live life, and establish myself.
It was 20 years as a Magic fan for me (1992-2012), and I'm proud of all those years. Thank you all, and good luck the rest of the way. I wish you guys and the Magic nothing but the best! You’ll be back on top as contenders in no time. You guys are awesome people, as well as a class fan-base for a great city. It was an honor going to war with you guys against other teams. Thank you for the ride.

Take care.

-DJ

Good luck in Seattle. Great town. I worked for the 'Soft for a few years, never lived there, but visited the Seattle area A LOT and the combination of nightlife, outdoor activities, and dining is just fantastic. Only downside is the rain, which happens more often than you can imagine when you aren't there for an extended period.

We'll miss you on this board - good luck getting a franchise!

[sChOlaRlY_Magi]

I agree...Raj, we'll miss you, but you'll be back. I've spent time away from this forum before, and even then, I found it very difficult to avoid checking box-scores at the very least. I'd zone off in class, and find myself suddenly on hoopshype scouring for any Magic news I could find. I'd be backpacking somewhere across the world, come across an internet cafe, and find that I couldn't not apportion a significant period of my 15 available minutes to catching up on what I had missed.

I haven't lived in Orlando for a few years now. I am in graduate school at Indiana--basketball country--and still I've found ways to follow my team. In approximately five months, I will be moving to Chicago, where I will presumably live for the rest of my life. I will attend Bulls games, I am sure. And still I will be an Orlando Magic fan. I watched Nick Anderson steal the ball, and miss the free throws. I was in the stands when Darrell intercepted the inbound pass and dribbled cross-court for the win. I watched Monty Williams miss a jump shot that would have put Heart-and-Hustle in the 8 seed, and received letters from my dad at summer camp detailing the Horace-for-Maggette swap. I watched T-Mac go off on the Bucks in an electric playoff series (we lost), read obsessively about the Steve Francis blockbuster while visiting potential colleges, and did more scouting than Otis Smith's entire fleet of scouts leading up to each draft. I debated Dwight vs. Okafor for hours with anyone who would listen, and have grown with my team. I was there smiling, surrounded by violent LeBron fans, when we dismantled the Cavaliers, and was high-fiving complete strangers in a crowded bar during our Finals victory against LA. Many of my strongest friendships have been forged by talk of basketball, and in every conversation I can't not rep my team. I am a Magic fan. And Raj, I've seen you post long enough to know that you've been bitten too. You can move to the edge of Canada and you can change your avatar, but I'd be shocked if, late at night, the mouse doesn't guide your hand back to where you belong, and that's right where you've been for the better of two decades now. Raj, as is the case with JJ Redick...I don't care what the front of your jersey says...you are Magic for life.

So well said I had to come out of lurkdom, and one, and re-post! You'll be missed Raj, but I too suspect it is not the last we have seen of you!

[OrlandO]

If Seattle doesn't get the Sonics back, he may end up lurking here without us knowing

[MagicTownBaller]

If Seattle doesn't get the Sonics back, he may end up lurking here without us knowing

Most likely lol

[MagicTownBaller]

Evan Dunlap @BQRMagic
Magic to wear El Magic jerseys for Noche Latina on March 8 (Pacers), March 22 (Thunder), March 25 (Heat).

I didn't even know that we had Spanish jerseys except in NBA2K13......