For the Orlando Magic’s season opener, I wrote this sidebar focusing on fans. This was the team’s first game since it traded All-Star center Dwight Howard.
Published Saturday, November 3, 2012, Orlando Sentinel sports
By Roger Simmons
Orlando Sentinel
“No Dwight, no problem.”
That’s what Vinny Fazio of Lake Mary wrote on the sign he carried with him into Amway Center on Friday night as the Orlando Magic opened their 24th season.
It pretty well summed up the attitude of many Orlando fans who came out to watch their new-look — aka Dwight Howard-less — Magic start a new season with high hopes.
Before tipoff, longtime season-ticket holder Daria Doley of Orlando was teasing friend Scott Lunn for his bold prediction.
“We were sitting outside and he said ‘we will make the playoffs,’ ” Doley said, laughing.
She wasn’t ready to make such a forecast about the postseason.
“I hope so, but I’m very positive,” she said. “I’m looking forward to a good rebuilding.”
Standing outside a concession stand and wearing a Glen Davis No. 11 jersey, Kip Cade of Orlando said he too was looking forward to the season.
“I think we’ll be better than people anticipate,” he said, adding that losing Howard “was no big deal.”
Ashley Sammon was attending her first Magic game, along with Daisy Bonilla and Alexis Lockaby. Sammon wasn’t necessarily looking for a playoff berth for fulfillment.
“I’m just really happy to be at the arena,” she said.
And that appears to one benefit of Howard leaving town. Tickets were easier to get than for other Magic openers.
“This is the first time I’ve been to the new arena,” Fazio said. “I figured without Dwight I could get a ticket, and I did.”
But he’s already embracing the new-look Magic. With his young son, nephew and niece in tow, Fazio also had another sign with him.
“[Arron] Afflalo is our X Factor.”