Here at Presto In The Paint, we try not to limit our audience. Our articles are for anyone and everyone who is willing to read about the Orlando Magic. However, with this article, I am limiting my audience. I am limiting it to only one person. The man of the hour. The man of Free Agency 2014. The man, the myth, the legend, LeBron James. That’s right, King, I’m talking to you. (Not you, T.I., this isn’t 2006)
I know you’ve stated that you will consider no other team and I understand that. I really do. But, just for the time it takes to read this article, just open your mind to the endless possibilities that the Orlando Magic present as a free agency destination. In Orlando, we have it all. Young talent, entertainment, family-friendly fun, but most importantly, we have hope.
In Miami, you had your guys there. You had Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade there to help you to two championships and four finals appearances in your four years with the Heat. But what if I told you that Orlando has what it takes to become a franchise that can surpass that total with player types that you are used to from being in Miami? That’s right. We have our very own Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. But more on that later. There are more pressing issues at hand.
I mentioned family-friendly fun and you need not look any further than theme parks. Universal Studios, Sea World, but most importantly, Disney World. You know a thing or two about that last theme park, don’t you, King? Yeah. You know what I’m talking about. You got rings. You made those trips. What if you were able to make those trips across town instead of across the state when you get rings in Orlando? I mean come on. You can celebrate by going to Disney World after EVERY WIN if you wanted to. The possibilities, much like the fun a Disney park can bring, are endless.
But you’re a smart guy. You know that getting to Disney World happens on the court first. Two rings prove that. That’s where the Magic’s roster comes into play. I said we have our own Dwyane Wade. Well that is 100% accurate. Victor Oladipo has been considered to be a baby D-Wade, so you know what a player like that can bring. Ball-handling, passing, explosiveness, Oladipo has it all and then some. You also benefitted from a stretch-four in Chris Bosh. This allowed you to find driving lanes and wreak havoc in the paint for defenders. Well guess who the Magic just signed? Channing Frye. That’s right. We have our own Chris Bosh. Hyperbole? I have no idea what that is. I’m just making a comparison. Have fun driving. You’ll get lanes so you could score.
You know, familiarity is fun. But he Magic have pieces that you may not be used to. Two holes in the Heat roster were at point guard and center. Two names should intrigue you. Elfrid Payton and Nikola Vucevic. Payton was taken with the tenth overall pick in the 2014 draft and is someone you can trust to feed you the ball when and where you need it. I’m watching him right now in summer league. He’s been dropping dimes all game long. Vucevic though, you already know about. You’ve seen first-hand what he can do. 29 rebounds against the Miami Heat isn’t something to take lightly. I mean you were on the court with him. You know his forte. Imagine that on the court with you cleaning up the mess for everyone. You know as well as I do that you’re intrigued.
I haven’t even touched on the fact that the Magic had the number four draft pick this year. Aaron Gordon is an athletic freak. Running the break with him? That could end really REALLY well with Gordon on the receiving end of an alley-oop. Just throw it in the neighborhood. He’s got you.
So LeBron, like I said. I know you’re apparently down to two teams. Miami and Cleveland. And I respect that kind of ability to know what you want. That’s great. But just consider the Magic. I know the memories of Dwight Howard are still fresh, but even Dwight has some fond memories in Orlando. He might look back fondly now, but you can make your own memories. Come on, LeBron. Take your talents to the City Beautiful. The Decision is easy.