Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson sat on the bench as the confetti started covering the court. The Larry O’Brien Trophy adorning the court behind the Orlando Magic logo was not about to go to them. It was going to the team in purple dancing atop their icon.
Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson would say after that Game 5 defeat they wanted to sit there and soak in the moment. They wanted to feel that hurt and that pain of coming so close to their ultimate goal. They wanted to watch and understand what it takes and the sacrifices it takes to get to this level.