The Taking of Orlando 1-2-3

News travels fast when it’s bad. The death of Michael Jackson, sex siren Farrah Fawcett, and funnyman Ed McMahon sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.

Michael Jackson provided the soundtrack for a generation of kids and his death was firmly felt due to his importance to our culture.

Famous Johnny Carson sidekick Ed McMahon was legendary for his zingers and his knack for handing out checks with large amounts of money written on them.

Charlie’s most famous angel, Farrah Fawcett, stared at young men every night before they went to sleep from their bedroom walls as she crept into their dreams soon after they dozed off.

But quite possibly the most shocking news of the week is the partial dismantling of the Orlando Magic.

Soon after the NBA Draft ended the Magic pulled the trigger on a trade that quite possibly handed the East over the Cleveland Cavilers.

Rookie sensation Courtney Lee, backup point guard Rafer Alston, and bench center Tony Battie were all traded to the Nets for former Air Canada star and Daytona Beach homeboy Vince Carter, along with Ryan Anderson.

On the surface this trade seems that the Nets got a steal. Courtney Lee’s stock continued to rise as the season progressed, and I’m not sure if the Magic would have made it to the finals without Alston’s firepower.

While I’m not as upset with Battie’s departure, he was at least an extra body in the paint when Howard got into foul trouble or just needed rest.

For Mr. Carter, this trade represents a homecoming for him. In the summertime, it’s not un-usual to see Carter at the CVS in Dr. Phillips or at burger joint around the city. He’s not a bad guy, just not the guy for Orlando.

Throughout his career Vince has developed a reputation for alienating teammates, placing his needs before the team, and, well, being a show-off.

Already we have Dwight Howard who demands touches, Jameer Nelson who needs touches to run the offense, an itchy three-point shooter in Rashard Lewis, and now we add Vince Carter.

Hey Stan, where will Vince fit in? Better yet, where are his touches going to come from.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Not the Magic, not Dwight, and not Jameer. The team that came so close to beating the Lakers last season now seems like a team that may not make it out of the second round.

Teams like the Trailblazers of Portland, the Nets of New Jersey, and the current bunch of team witnesses in Cleveland may all meet the same fate as those infamous Kings teams of the early 2000s.

The Magic men of Orlando had the right set of players, the right coach, an ecstatic fan base, and a city that yearns for a championship.

Now, I’m not sure of that mix.

During the playoffs there were t-shirts and signs everywhere that simply said “Ignite!” Instead of starting a fire, it looks like we just set off a master explosion that will implode the entire operation.

-JH