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The city of Orlando is at the center of the nation’s largest citrus-growing region.  Orlando is also a popular port for both passenger and freight vessels.  The downtown region is home to several Fortune 500 headquarters and other important company offices.  However, the theme parks and attractions that call Orlando home trumps the local landscape.  For families on vacation, Orlando is often the first place they look to get family-friendly fun for a relatively reasonable price.  The Walt Disney World Resort is the biggest theme park in the city and is comprised of several different parks.  Featuring the traditional Disney castles, princesses, Mickey Mouse, and other cartoon characters, Disney World has many of the same things as Disneyland in Anaheim.  However, the park also features an animal park and other unique attractions.  Universal Orlando Resort is also located in the city and is dedicated to a slightly older crowd and features several more advanced rides.

For people staying in Orlando, the initial response may be to stay at the local resort hotel.  The Walt Disney Resort has several different hotels that are conveniently connected to the rest of the park via the extensive monorail system.  The Universal Orlando Resort has a large  hotel on the theme park’s premises.  While these are often the most convenient, they are often hundreds of dollars more expensive than staying in an Orlando vacation rental, even when accounting the cost of parking.  For people who don’t mind being a few miles away from the theme parks and who are on a tight budget, staying in a vacation home may be the way to go.

In case you’ve never heard of them, the Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida.  The Magic play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA).  The team was founded in 1989 as an expansion franchise and is currently coached by Stan Van Gundy.  Some of the notable players that have played for team include NBA stars such as Shaquille O’neal, Penny Hardaway, Steve Francis, Tracy McGrady, Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, and Grant Hill.  The team is also known for having made 11 playoff appearances in their 20 years of existence.

The Orlando Magic were created in 1989 as an expansion franchise, and a contest sponsored by the team officials and the local Orlando Sentinel newspaper allowed the community to suggest names for the franchise.  Although the name “Magic” was chosen, the other names considered for the franchise include the “Heat,” the “Tropics,” and the “Juice.”  The Orlando Magic currently play at on their home court at the Amway Arena.  However, the new Amway Center is currently being built as successor to the Amway Arena.  The new, larger arena is expected to be finished in time for the 2010-2011 season.

Shaq to the Cavs, Vince Carter to the Magic

Draft Day Deals: Shaq to the Cavs, $21 million. Clearing up your point guard controversy, dumping an aging center and not giving up any core players in return, priceless. The Magic acquired Vince Carter this afternoon for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee. I hate to see Lee go, but let’s face that facts here people. The Magic needed to get rid of Alston or Jameer, check. The Magic needed to clear up their big man rotation and dump Battie’s $6.2 million contract, check. The Magic would have to give up an asset in order to dump those players and pick up Carter. The goal here is to not give up a core player. Lee is not a core player – at least not at this point in his career. The move also allows the Magic to go into the luxury tax to resign Gortat and Hedo.
Continue reading Shaq to the Cavs, Vince Carter to the Magic.
Let’s go Magic!!!

Good luck Magic! I hope the team we know shows up tonight against the Lakers. I’ve been saying for weeks that the Magic can beat any team and they’ve proven it game after game. But this is the finals, baby! You can’t just show up. You have to go in there and take it from them. It’s time to show everyone the mental and physical toughness we know this team can have. So, everyone cheer as hard as you can for the Magic – that includes the 3 million new bandwagon fans. We’ll let you into our little club. Here’s to the Magic and hopefully, a game 1 steal!
Magic lose Game 2 on bogus shot

Can someone explain to me how a player can catch the ball, come down, bring the ball to his knees and still manage to get a shot off in 1.0 seconds? Remember Howard’s dunk over the Spurs – 1.2 seconds that shot took. If the NBA does not review the last play of Game 2 – the game is fixed. You can clearly watch the reply and see that Lebron catches the ball and brings the ball down to his knees before the clock even starts. If you watch in slow motion – you should be able to rattle off about 40 some odd frames before the ball even leaves his hands. Hopefully someone in the Magic organization is bringing this to the attention of the NBA. While it might not change the outcome of the game – this is definitely something that needs to be addressed. This and the non-technical foul that Williams deserved for throwing the basketball at Howard in the first half.
Howard speaks out on Magic problems

I’m not one to agree with players calling out the coaches for lack of getting the ball – but in this case, Howard is right. In an Orlando Sentinel article today, Howard let it be known he’s not happy with 10 shots per game. I agree. Orlando has a strong post game; Howard needs more shots. The second part – Howard is spot on. There was a lineup late in the game that was working for the team. The lead was building with Battie and Johnson on the floor. In the playoffs, you got to stick with what’s working and go until someone breaks an arm or passes out. That particular unit had the score up to 14 when Alston and Redick came back. I like Redick and Alston and all – but they have done jack schit so far in the playoffs. So, yes I absolutely agree with Howard. Stan – I hope you’re listening – because the coaching has been suspect the last 2 games. But Howard, you’re not off the hook buddy. We need more from you than just a few more touches in the paint. We need more activity on the defensive end of the floor and more movement on offense. Let’s get it together guys!