For the past three offseasons, Jameer Nelson has flown his Orlando Magic teammates to his hometown of Philadelphia for a week-long event in which the team goes bowling, attends comedy clubs, visits Atlantic City, gets competitive in team paintball fights, and more.
Ah, the life of a professional athlete.
But all jealousy aside, Nelson doesn't just plan these activities because they're fun. He does this because he understands the importance of team chemistry.
His team get-togethers allow the players, both veterans and new acquisitions alike, to bond in a relaxed setting and become comfortable with the people that they'll be seeing very much of throughout the 82-game season.
As a writer who has covered the Orlando Magic for the past four seasons, I've watched these players develop both chemistry and trust in one another that have been instrumental in their recent success.
While bringing the team together over the offseason speeds up the process, it's fairly easy for a team to bond when they have the personalities that the Magic have.
If you know a thing about the Magic or even basketball in general, you know Dwight Howard is pretty much as goofy as they come. Whether it's his
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Put him on a team with his best friend Jameer Nelson (who once told reporters that he was impressed with Dwight considering "he's only like 12"), Hedo Turkoglu (who is always cracking jokes in the locker room), and Rashard Lewis (who gets along with everyone), and you have a group of friends that click both on and off the court.
Two new additions in Mickael Pietrus, who took no time to break out of his shell, and Courtney Lee, who has struck a friendship with Howard but still wasn't able to dodge rookie pranks, have also reached a comfort level with their teammates. They are fitting right in with the team's other personalities.
Throughout the years, the Magic have always had an ample amount of team chemistry and avoided any major internal problems. But during this upcoming season, in which the team's average age is 25 years old, the players must come together if they want to advance past the second round of the playoffs and contend for a championship.
Last season, they made huge strides as they finished with 52 wins and won the franchise's first playoff series in over a decade. A big part of that success came as the core of Howard, Lewis, Turkoglu, and Nelson gelled together, trumping preseason expectations.
While paintball fights and being friends is just peachy, the players must have chemistry on the court. Many of the players have been together for several seasons now and know each other’s tendencies, which should help the Magic players get on the same page.
Teams such as the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons have veterans who know how to win and look very talented on paper. In order for Orlando to contend in the East and make the jump from above average team to serious contender, team chemistry will be essential and the Magic are definitely on the right track.
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about 1 month ago
Nice Article Alex. The value of team chemistry is seriously underrated in basketball and sports in general.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for the comment and I couldn't agree more.
about 1 month ago
Good article. I am excited to see the Magic this year, I think they could gain the number 2 spot in the east. Everyone is picking Portland for their sleeper team this year but I'm picking the Magic. I think they could go to the Eastern Conference finals, and it will just come down to Boston showing experience or age, and the Magic showing desire or inexperience.
from about 1 month ago
I am right there with you. Portland is young and will be competing in a very tough West. The Magic, on the other hand, have a solid core that have been with each other for awhile now and not as much competition in the East. The Celtics will probably take the top seed but I could see Orlando finishing above an older Pistons team and a Cavs team that is missing a lot of pieces needed to contend. If Dwight Howard continues to progress, Hedo can match his breakout season, and Lewis and Nelson are consistent, Orlando could make a run at the Finals and surprise a lot of people.
about 1 month ago
Nice article. As a Magic fan basically my entire life, it's a feel good story to hear that the players on the team are so young, and talented, and get along like they've been around forever.
Great Article.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for the comment, good to see another die hard Magic fan on BR. :)
about 1 month ago
Wasn't this a syndicated article?
from about 1 month ago
Not to my knowledge, did you see it anywhere else?
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