<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">First-year Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy didn't promise a championship just yet that will come later -- but he did promise today a team this season that will be considerably more exciting than it has been in many years. "We need to put a product on the floor that you can get excited about," Van Gundy said. "We have a roster of players and the talent now to compete with anyone in the Eastern Conference. It's our job to deliver." Van Gundy was speaking Wednesday to a breakfast audience at the RDV Sportplex of 150 new season ticket holders. His message was clear: This team will be an improvement from the one that finished with a 40-42 record and was rudely swept in the first round of the playoffs. After the season, the Magic fired coach Brian Hill after two years on the job. "There are 30 organizations in NBA that talk about winning a championship, but the difference is whether they have the commitment to make it happen," he said. "We have that commitment here." The most noticeable difference in the Magic this season will be forward Rashard Lewis, a free agent who was signed to a six-year, $118 million contract, a more wide-open style of play, and an increased emphasis on taking 3-point shots.</div> Source: Orlando Sentinel
I just saw this now. I'm surprised more of you guys haven't responded to this. Personally, I'm really pumped up to here all of these things. The following things especially jumped out at me: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"We need to put a product on the floor that you can get excited about," Van Gundy said. "We have a roster of players and the talent now to compete with anyone in the Eastern Conference. It's our job to deliver."</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"There are 30 organizations in NBA that talk about winning a championship, but the difference is whether they have the commitment to make it happen," he said. "We have that commitment here."</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I'm like a kid at Christmas just waiting to open his first present," he said. "We don't have a single guy on the roster who isn't working on his game on a daily basis right now. That's rare in the NBA during the off season. We've got four weeks to go, but I think everyone is ready."</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I know a couple guys who are going to start (Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis), but after that, it's pretty wide open," he said. "It's not my job to keep everyone happy. This organization is focused on results. We've got 14 guys under contract, but that doesn't mean they can relax. Every fall there are 15-20 guys in the league with contracts who get cut."</div> I'm ready for the season to start. There is no doubt in my mind that this team will be much improved from last season and I can't wait to see what Van Gundy can get out of all our players.
