I’ve noticed something about Orlando Magic fans and I wanted to get some opinions.

Dwight Howard is becoming a great player – every game he does something that makes me bury my head in my hands in amazement. His athletic ability is freakish. Sure, he has a lot of work to do if he wants to be “the man” but he’s off to a hell of a start.

With that said, can anyone tell me why he’s the fifth person mentioned when you’re talking about the Magic – is he really a star?

Seriously – as my man Steve Kyler would say – Dwight is fifth in line behind several topics, starting with Grant Hill’s injury filled years with the team. People still talk about what could have been, or how he’s a trader for leaving the team.

What about Shaquille O’Neal. The Magic’s fans are still caught up on losing “Shaq.” You can’t go a day in Orlando without hearing someone sulking over the NBA championships the Magic don’t have because they traded the “Diesel.” It’s been years, when is it time to move on?

Don’t forget about Tracy McGrady. Despite his injury problems in Houston there are many Magic fans that still want “Mac” back in Orlando.

Glenn “Doc” Rivers is still a hot topic – Stan Van Gundy is a great coach but the team wasted several years with Chris Jent, Johnny Davis, and Brian Hill. If “Doc” was given more time maybe you’d have “Mac” Dwight and Mike Miller.

Lastly, the talk of the Magic as the NBA’s real farm system is an everyday discussion.  People are pissed that Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Corey Maggette aren’t in Magic blue.

My point is that the fans seem to focus on the past and ignore the bright future this franchise has – have you seen the way they boo the Magic’s former players?

I want your opinions on why this happens. Is it because Dwight Howard isn’t that big or the fans aren’t very forgiving?

Something has to give!

I have been a Magic fan since I was five years old and will live and die with this franchise.  So I remember clearly the days when we were contenders and the city was buzzing over this team. However, being a young sports town and having only 1 pro franchise I think most of us fans got a little spoiled with the early success. And now you have a period of 10 yrs. or so where we've been either mediocre or bad and a lot of those so called fans lost interest for whatever reason. Couple that with the fact of the issues you mention above and their is nothing but frustration. However, I believe once we begin to win again those same fans will return. But getting back to your question. I think we tend to take players here for granted. Once they leave and we look at the success they're having for other teams we blame them or management for leaving. Thus you hear the boos which I think we should get over already. I believe Dwight will become a legitimate superstar once he can develop a more consistent offensive game. We know he's an all-star but I think the majority of us will feel more secure about our future the day he can become that go to player on the block and take us to the next level. It's coming but we're not there just yet.

I cannot speak for all Magic Fans, and probably disagree with most since I don't boo Grant Hill or Tracy McGrady when they return.  As for Dwight Howard I am very excited about not only his development and enthusiasm, but also that he is beginning to get the recognition he deserves.  Orlando has a very rainy day fan mentality, since few fans are actually from Orlando.  For instance, when we (Orlando) play the Knicks, the crowd can be louder cheering for the oposition (this also depends upon which team is winning) so there really is no loyalty.  Is there any wonder the Magic are so good on the road?  That all being said, and to quote Doc Rivers "winning solves everything". The home crowd (generally full of Magic doubters) still want the Magic to win and are beginning to get behind them.  Lately the arena is "play-off" loud and it's exciting to be a Magic fan again. Any fan loyalty built this year will depend upon how far the Magic go in the playoffs as to how loyal those rainy day fans are next year.  I will continue to cheer for them regardless.  I have been a fan all through the rotten years, and recall fondly how it used to be in Orlando when you couldn't buy a Magic ticket in the Shaq, Nick, Penny, 3D and Ho days.

we need oxygen to live, but do we talk about oxygen everyday?  dwight is like oxygen, magic won't go anywhere without him.  everyone knows so what's to talk about?