The score indicates a comfortable Magic victory. Dwight posted another 20/20 and Vince Carter gave us a scare with a sprained ankle but it felt a little empty.

I am not one to dwell on past players or trades but this one hurts because it seems to have really hurt Courtney Lee. Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel and Courtney had the following to exchange:

"When I asked him that GM Otis Smith said that having to deal Lee to the Nets was tough for him, Lee said, "Then he can bring me back."

He was only smiling a little when he said it. Lee said he has made Orlando his permanent home and plans on hanging out with some of his former Magic teammates for many summers to come.

The Nets exercised their option to keep Lee for another year. When I asked him what's the biggest difference playing in New Jersey for the rebuilding Nets, he said, "Everything. The system, the players, attendance...."

Asked if he had a chip on his shoulder tonight, Lee said, "Oh, yeah, I got a chip on my shoulder every game. It's nothing different. It's going to be the same approach as every other game but the chip is a little bit heavier."

Maybe the feeling will fade but at least for one night I felt really bad for Courtney. He went from a place where he thought he was becoming a star and pillar in the community to New Jersey. He went from the Eastern Conference Champions to the team many feel will be the worst in the East and maybe the entire NBA. I know the general notion is to say he is a young millionare and he should get over it but everyone has feelings and his seem to be considerably hurt. Players and fans are so used to the business side of the NBA as it seems that unless you are a superstar you can be trade bait. We mess around on the ESPN trade machine and see how we can improve our rosters. The players are chess pieces to us and we just want to improve our position in the standings. It was just a pleasure to see Courtney care so much and to know the Magic got one right for a change. Heck if they didn't nail that pick they wouldn't have Vince Carter right now.

Maybe we can look forward to a day when Courtney can come back to Orlando as it seems like a marriage both parties would be willing to embrace. For now we cheer for him from afar and look forward to his success.

Orlando opened the season with an impressive win over Philly last night, blowing away the visiting team 120-106. It was a good night. Not only did the team play well, hitting 16 three pointers, but the crowd was large and loud, the pregame player introductions with the court sized projector was nice, and it was very cool to see that second Eastern Conference Champions banner. More after the jump.

As we view a very short and intriguing summer in the rearview mirror we move our attention to one of the biggest seasons in the history of the Orlando Magic franchise. Never before has an Orlando Magic team arrived with so many expectations. In what is shaping up to be a very top heavy NBA the Magic find themselves as one of 5 legitimate championship contenders. This team is flush with talent and has one of the best in the business steering the ship.

This talent was apparent as the Magic ran over every team they played in the pre-season to finish 8-0. Although pre-season basketball is typically horrendous these guys showed they are determined and hungry to finish what they started last season. The mix of new players seem to bring talent, hustle and even a little grit to a team that was considered in most circles as a bunch of fun loving, nice guys.

Keeping this determination all season could be of the utmost importance as the clearest path to a title lies in the number one seed. The Magic do not want to have to play Boston and Cleveland in back to back series. Not only are both teams deeper than they were last season but to do that and still have enough energy to challenge San Antonio or Los Angeles seems like a monumental task.

I know we are excited about the regular season but for the first time in a long time our goals are set much higher. It feels great as a Magic fan to just look forward to the regular season as a tune-up for what will hopefully be a title run in the playoffs. This team has grown beyond our lovable small town team and the fans, ownership, and team can taste a championship.

This is going to be an exciting year so lets all sit back and enjoy it. We wish our Orlando Magic the best of luck as they hopefully make 2009-2010 the season they bring the championship home.

Other Random Thoughts Left Over as We Look Forward to the Tip:

*The Magic's 2nd unit could win 20 games by themselves if necessary.

*You will hear more than 5 million Marcin Gortat rumors and every one of them will be false. He is simply not getting traded this season. He is here for depth and insurance and those two things are not going to change.

*Ryan Anderson has the first 10 games to show the NBA landscape that he was not a simple throw in from the Vince Carter trade.

*JJ's defense seems to have surpassed his offense.

*The new policy that asks the fans to wait in their seats until a stoppage in play, in order to be kind to those sitting behind them, will fail.

*Tiger Woods attends a handful of games, but refuses to take a stance on how much he likes the Magic....Pretty much the same way he treats every social and political issue

*Dwight Howard and Lebron James will square off in the dunk contest. King James wins....for no good reason.

*Brandon Bass almost defeats Dwight Howard in an arm wrestling contest.....almost.