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3 reasons for Orlando Magic fans to smile this holiday season

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 17: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic reacts as he is introduced prior to the game against the Miami Heat at Amway Center on December 17, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 17: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic reacts as he is introduced prior to the game against the Miami Heat at Amway Center on December 17, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic fans
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 18: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic dribbles as David Duke Jr. #6 of the Brooklyn Nets defends during the first half at Barclays Center on December 18, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Orlando Magic fans. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

For the Orlando Magic, this holiday season is trending in the same direction as essentially every other franchise in the NBA. Omicron is wrecking the best-laid plans of every team, with each game throwing up a random collection of players and several “oh yeah, remember that guy?” moments for fans as well.

The Magic have been decimated both by COVID protocols, but also by injury. The long-term guys are no surprise, but Wendell Carter Jr. recently sprained a knee (and it could have been a lot worse), while rookie Jalen Suggs and Michael Carter-Williams (yet to see the court so far this campaign) are also out.

3 reasons for Orlando Magic fans to smile this holiday season

Feeling optimistic this holiday season might seem like a difficult task, but there are actually several reasons for optimism for the Magic that we will explore.

Certainly, the losing isn’t going to stop any time soon, and first-year head coach Jamahl Mosley has had his struggles. He has been unable to always field the lineups he wants, and if you’re counting on vintage Robin Lopez performances to get you surprising wins over a Brooklyn Nets roster missing everybody but Blake Griffin, then you know it is a strange season.

But despite all of this, there is a clear pride that Magic fans have in this group. Whereas before it seemed hard for guys like Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Victor Oladipo to be universally loved, this new group most certainly have the backing of the fans and the front office.

If anything that is a bonus reason for optimism this holiday season, but here are three more to enjoy.

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