Remembering Orlando

The NBA Conference Finals will be Lakers-Nuggets and Heat-Celtics. Curiously, exactly those finals took place in the 2020 bubble, when due to the pandemic they all had to be played at Disney World, without an audience. Back then, LeBron and the Lakers took it all over the Heat in Orlando; will history repeat itself?

Looking for one for the thumb

LeBron James is in his 20th year in the league, and is eight wins (at this point) from his fifth championship ring. In Cleveland he reached 5 Finals, winning one, and in Miami he reached 4 in 4 years, winning half. However, in L.A. he’s only made it to that one in 2020, and the rest of the years have been disappointing. But these Lakers look a lot like those three years ago. LeBron and AD are the undisputed stars, and they're surrounded by good supporting players who can eventually win you a game. Back then it was Kuzma, KCP, Rondo, Caruso; today it’s Reaves, Beasly, Hachimura, Schroder, D-Lo. The changes they made in February paid off, instantly improving after dumping Russell Westbrook. They went from being 2-10, to the 7th seed, to the conference finals, and today they even are title favorites. Will King LeBron manage to tie Kobe Bryant in rings?

His time has come

On the opposite side, Los Angeles will face the best player in the NBA. Jokic is a monster who can give you a triple double and dominate on both sides of the court every night. After his 2 MVPs in 2021 and 22, it seems that what's next for the Serbian is to win the Finals, or at least play in them. The Nuggets have never made it to the title series, and 2 times they stayed at bay precisely against the Lakers. Niko la Jokic is playing better than ever, and it seems like it's now or never to get his first ring. Porter Jr, Murray and even ex-Magic Aaron Gordon are raising his level to catch up with him, along with having the best home-field advantage in the league. Will it be Jokic's year?

Miami-Boston, again

Heat-Celtics have met in the playoffs 6 times since 2010, the last 4 in the Eastern finals. In 2012 and 2020 Miami came out on top, while last year it was Boston who finally got rid of their nemesis in 7 games. They know each other very well, despite the fact that on one side is Eric Spoelstra, perhaps the best coach in the league, and on the other is rookie Joe Mazzula. Boston starts as a favori te led by a brilliant but inconsistent Jayson Tatum, but Miami has the best player of the series in Jimmy Butler. Everyone expects a Lakers-Celtics in the Finals for title #18, but neither the Nuggets nor the Heat will make it easy for the m.

The most important lottery

The most anticipated prospect in 20 years, Victor Wembayama, looks set to be a Spur after San Antonio won the Draft lottery. For its part, the Orlando Magic will have teams 6 and 11, what will they do with them?

Orlando Magic Host 2023 Summer Camps

Orlando, FL - The Orlando Magic will host 44 basketball camp sessions, designed for boys and girls ages 7-17 of all skill levels, across Central Florida this summer along with one overnight camp and a special needs youth clinic. Registration for camps is officially open and limited space is still available for all sessions. Camps will begin on Tuesday, May 30 at the Rosen Jewish Community Center in Orlando, Fla.

In addition to the traditional day camps, the Magic are hosting one overnight camp at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Fla. (July 24-July 28), which includes all meals and housing. This overnight camp is designed for higher skilled basketball players and is recommended for youth ages 13 and older. It draws in participants from several countries around the world and was represented by 14 countries last summer.

The Orlando Magic and Bounce Out

The Stigma ® will also hold a special needs youth basketball clinic for children at Barnett Park Recreation Center on June 2 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bounce Out The Stigma ®, the 2019 Jr. NBA Program of the Year, serves children and young adults with neurological and functional disorders, such as Autism, Epilepsy, ADD,

ADHD, Asperger syndrome and Down syndrome.

Other camp offerings include a oneday “Mini Camp” at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School on July 22 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., along with four half-day camps. Each camp session offers the following:

Special guest appearances

Expert instruction provided by The National Basketball Academy

Personalized attention with a coach (no greater than a 1:10 coach-to-camper ratio)

Basketball lectures, drills, skill development stations and live games

Individual player evaluations provided by coaches

An official camp T-shirt, full-size NBA basketball, Magic bag and more

One ticket to a 2023-‘24 Orlando Magic home game at Amway Center

Registration Information

To register for any Orlando Magic Youth Basketball Camp or for more information, call 406-698-6496 or go to www. orlandomagicyouth.com.