Magic players agree that Madison Square Garden is special
By Josh Robbins
Orlando center Nikola Vucevic (top) controls the ball over fallen New York forward Kristaps Porzingis (bottom) last season. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
NEW YORK — You cannot walk around Madison Square Garden without seeing signs extolling the arena's praises. Near the corner of West 33rd Street and 8th Avenue, on the side of the building, there are pictures of former New York Knicks player John Starks, former St. John's basketball coach Lou Carnesecca and former New York Rangers player Mark Messier. Each photo has a quote on it.
Starks says: "There's no arena more famous than MSG. This is the place where legends are made."
It sounds like hyperbole, but at least a few members of the Orlando Magic agree with Starks.
"This place feels different," coach Frank Vogel said before the Magic faced the Knicks on Thursday night. "Playing here is always different. It is 'The Mecca.' It is the most famous arena in the world. I take pride in being here on this stage."
Vogel was raised 160 miles away, in southern New Jersey, so perhaps that proximity to Manhattan impacted his opinion.
But Magic players Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier grew up in Europe and they concur with Vogel.
"I really enjoy playing here," Vucevic said. "It's a great arena. It just has a special feel to it. So many great games were played here. So many great players came in here and had huge games. You can name them all: Jordan, Kobe, LeBron. All had great games in here. It's just always a show when you come in here. It's a special feel. You always want to beat the Knicks in the Garden. The arena is always sold out. You see famous people courtside."
Playing hurt
Magic swingman Evan Fournier played Thursday despite a bruise on his upper right shin.
He wore a pad over the injured area.
Meeks unavailable
Magic shooting guard Jodie Meeks was excused from Thursday's game because of the death of his grandmother, a team official said.
Meeks is expected to return to Orlando on Friday and be available to play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Vogel interviewed with Knicks president Phil Jackson and Knicks general manager Steve Mills for their team's coaching job in May, after the Indiana Pacers decided not to renew Vogel's contract.
"I did not get offered the job by the Knicks, but I did meet with them," Vogel said. "It was an intriguing spot. But Orlando was where I was hoping to end up."
Porzingis blossoms
Someone who makes the Knicks intriguing is 7-foot-3 big man Kristaps Porzingis.
Porzingis, picked one spot ahead of Mario Hezonja in the 2015 NBA Draft, has emerged as a contender for the NBA's Most Improved Player Award.
"He's very, very impressive — maybe their most impressive guy, no disrespect to anybody else on their team," Vogel said. "But he's taken a big step from Year One to Year Two."
Fatigue factor
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Vogel had some concerns that his players would have heavy legs Thursday night. They went to double overtime in a victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday, and then their subsequent flight to Newark International Airport didn't land until almost 3 a.m. Wednesday.
The double-overtime game and the late arrival to their hotel prompted Vogel to cancel practice Wednesday.
The Magic should be even more fatigued for their game Friday night against the Lakers. The Magic were scheduled to drive via bus to Newark and then fly two hours back to Orlando.
jrobbins@orlandosentinel.com
Frank Vogel
Evan Fournier
Jodie Meeks
Nikola Vucevic