NBA will benefit from Magic's misfortune

ORLANDO, Fla. - No matter what happens in the remainder of these playoffs, at least the Orlando Magic can say they contributed to the betterment of the NBA.

They can say they sacrificed themselves for the sake of those who came after them.

One small controversy for Magic fans, one giant leap for fankind.

Even heading into Game 3 on Wednesday night, all the talk across the nation was about how the Magic got clocked by the NBA's asinine and archaic replay rule - or lack thereof.

Clock-gate had Magic fans ticked off and NBA officials counting down the days until the end of the month when the league's Competition Committee meets.

That's when the league will no doubt change it moronic policy so that instant replay can be used to avoid the shafting the Magic endured in Detroit during Game 2.

"Changing the rule is no consolation to us right now," Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy said just before tip-off of his team's 111-86 Game 3 victory Wednesday night.

There may not have been consolation, but it sure caused controversy.

The good part for Magic fans is their team was so far ahead in Game 3, it would have taken a dozen timing glitches for the Pistons to catch up. But that didn't stop fans from bringing numerous signs lampooning the NBA's ridiculous policy of not allowing video replays to clear up clock malfunctions.

One placard put it best:

"Don't Replay.

Don't Review.

Just Guess!"