Wowowowowow, now that’s what I call an opening night. The crowd was super hyped up and we played really well … well, for about three quarters of the game anyway.
We beat Philly 120-106 last night, but we were up by as much as 31. Our second unit, sparked by my man J-Will, gave us a huge boost there in the second quarter. And we stretched that lead out in the third.
I played OK, I guess, but what I took out of the night was how everybody is so into basketball this season already. It used to be when I first got here that the NBA was almost dead in Orlando. Me and ‘Meer talked about how we had to make people become Magic fans here in Orlando, and that’s certainly the case now.
We’re hungry for a championship and so is the city. There are no agendas and just one goal – win that ‘ship. Really, I’m not surprised that our team has blended so quickly because we all know there’s only one mission this season. That brought us all together really quickly.
And my night got even better after the game. We flew in my millionth Twitter follower, Stephanie Fisher and her son Lawrence, to the game from Sacramento. It was cool getting to spend some time with them after the game and sign a few autographs.
Stephanie told me that something popped up on her screen saying she had won as the millionth follower and initially she thought it was just a scam. But we kept sending her notes and eventually she figured out that it was real.
Stephanie and Lawrence kept telling me that they couldn’t believe that they were here in Orlando at the game, but it was a good time. I’m glad we could do something like that. I want to keep doing more of it, interacting and giving you guys a peek into my life as a person away from basketball.
So all in all, yesterday was a cool first night. It’s a long, long season, but I think it’s going to be a special one. You guys who were at the game last night, thank ya’ll for supporting us. And the rest of you out there, come see us when we come to your city. We hit the road later today for NJ, Toronto and Detroit. Ya’ll take care and I’ll holla back at ya soon.
—D-12
Fans: Be sure to check out Dwight on Twitter, Facebook and Superfan
Tags: 2010 NBA Season, Dwight Howard Blog, Jameer Nelson, Jason Williams, Opening Night 2010, Stephanie Fisher, Twitter
Dwight, you guys rock. Carter has been one of my favorite all time players, so he WILL give you guys a boost for sure. Make some HUGE HUGE shots. Keep writing cool blogs
Cheers.
Congrats on the win. I wqish I could have followed the game. Uh, try NOT to duplicate last year’s third quarter collapse, alright? Or fourth quarter collapse. Let’s just build a “play the whole game” mentality from the beginning.
Congrats on the 1st win Dwight! You guys looked great and w/ the struggles that Cleveland is likely to endure out of the gate, you have a good chance of building a lead in the East.
Flying in the Twitter follower & his Mom was a terrific thing for you to do. You’re a great example of how an athlete should be involved in the community & provide a positive impact for others.
Keep up the good work on the court & in the community. Wishing you & the Magic another great year!
That was a beautiful thing you did for her and her son. A lot of people talk the talk, but you walk the walk. God Loves a cheerful giver. I don’t think they come more cheerful than YOU!;)
Much Love, Rachel
Dwight your so cute i love watching you play
You guys played a GREAT game..They’re not ready for what the Orlando Magic has in store for the NBA. I wanted to let you know I really do admire your attitude…You seem so REAL..I mean like your just on of the guys..Anyway I hope all is well and Maybe just maybe you could follow me on twitter..Ive been sending quite a few tweets recently. It would mean the world to me…Keep up the good work…The city of Orlando has you back..One Love Remmi.
That was so sweet that you did that for your 1 millionth follower, she was probably really surprised. Keep the give aways coming its fun when you do that.
Right Im from another state but everybody is into Orlando now because of you, you bring hype to Orlando and bring the team to life. Its long over due you all need to win a championship, tired of the Lakers winning everything that gets boring and played and you hope other teams get a chance to win..You all are the underdogs..even though you made it to the Finals all the analyst still say Boston will win Eastern Conference so get over that hump and win the conference and if you do that..you’ve proven everybody wrong. As your fans we will be rooting for you and we really want you to win that championship.
[...] here to read his [...]
[...] Continued here: An opening-night win!!! [...]
congrats on the opening game/win keep doing what you guys are doing and we’ll beat tough to beat-i hope boston,cleveland and the rest of the nba was watching-keep up the good work and good luck the rest of the season and we’ll be watching GO MAGIC
Howard good luck man
I’m a Celtics fan and trust me your gonna need all the luck you can ge this season because the celtics are back and better than ever. I should be a fun playoffs this season. Oh yeah how was Africa
Dude straight out of Beirut Lebanon, you are the Best mayyyn keep your head up bec you got a lot on your shoulders and you ve proved that you truly are one of the best!!!!
Peace and love from the middle east!
Dwight game was good u guys are like my Suns. Breaks off a lil on the 4th q lol. I have a huge respect for what you do as a person to your community keep up the good work. If I wasn’t a suns fan you’d be my fav player haha. You should of signed autographs at the jam session in phx too !! Haha
Hi, nice to hear that ya’ll won…I think that u are so cute and sexy. I would like to swing on your arms all day!
Opening night was truly awesome! The Best Is Yet To Come!! I’m amazed at how quickly the team has bonded. Seems as though you all have played together for years. Keep Up The Teamwork! I so believe that THIS Season is SPecial. I believe in MAGIC! And thanks to you, once again for always sharing the love with us fans and being real. I’m loving that side of Dwight Howard (the person). God Bless for always regarding others higher than yourself. You’re such a sweetheart!
~Andrena
I will be at an upcoming game. I already bought the tickets. You don’t play in my city but I”ll will be coming to Oklahoma to see you play. I bought your jerseys for my sixteen year old daughter and my fourteen year old son.See you.Coming from Kansas City,MO.
I’ve been to my fair share of Magic games but your right last night’s was special!!! There was a vibe in the crowd that was like no other. Actually i got video of the Starting line up Introduction and how the crowd responded.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw60MwWRusE
Good luck to you Dwight and the whole team this road trip.
Tell Courtney Lee to give me a reason to watch the Nets. I’m still not completely over him getting traded =[
I wanna win a trip 2 see u play. Lol. I rootin for the magics even tho im from nyc
You are a great player and a great person have a great season
Hey dwight Im tiffany frm chicago and all I have to say is that you are great at what you!!! your energy is so great!!! you are sooo ATTRACTIVE and I’d love to watch you play up close n personal any day
I had told people over and over again that this was going to be the year of magic. They thought I was playing or crazy but i don’t care I am a major fan. There r a lot of good guys out there doing their thang but it takes a team to win not one guy, and you guys r the best team i’ve seen yet. I’m looking forward to seeing you all play. I’m gone bring my Heyyyy Worlldddd sign too….lol yall have fun while bringing the rings home.
I was there when you first came to Orlando and remember the empty seats and the people that bashed the Magic. Good for you and Jameer-you have made us long time fans very proud. And now its time to bring the trophy into the new arena. Good Luck Tonight!
I love the way you play ball and I love those biceps. Keep up the good work and hoping you have a wonderful season. The way how you reach out to your fans is quite admirable.
Love my Magic and will continue on my 15th year as a Magic fan