Your most unconventional NBA Finalist?

Welcome to Orlando, and the Magic's kingdom, Amway Arena.

And much like the Amway brand, Magic basketball has been snickered at and dismissed, but they are actually a powerhouse.

Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio have been playing up ad nauseum how Shaquille O'Neal called his former coach, current Magic coach Stan Van Gundy "The Master of Panic." And after a couple of head-scratching losses to Boston in the Eastern Semis, Van Gundy himself seemed flustered and was a target for lots of criticism.

But the Magic overcame adversity, winning a Game Seven on the road in the champions' house, and have been the superior team in a very tight Eastern Finals series. They hold a 3-1 lead, but theoretically could have swept already if not for a last second bullseye by the Cleveland LeBrons in Game 2.

But Orlando's team history could have been very different.

Billy Donovan, the head coach of the then 2-time National Champion Florida Gators had taken the Magic job. Then after a quick change of heart, he split and returned to Gainesville, where his team has qualified for back-to-back NITs.

Stan Van Gundy was actually the second choice. He had gotten to the precipice of an NBA Finals with the Miami Heat, then had the rug pulled out from under him (technically he resigned) by team president Pat Riley, who coached Miami to the 2006 NBA title.

Billy Donovan, a college coach decided he didn't fit. And this is not a team that college hoop junkies (like myself) can latch onto. Take the Magic's top 5 guys in scoring this postseason:

Dwight Howard - High School (Atlanta)

Rashard Lewis - High School (Houston)

Hedo Turkoglu - Turkey

Mickael Pietrus - France

Rafer Alston - Fresno State (one year)

It's the kind of roster that keeps Fran Fraschilla up at night cramming for the NBA Draft.

So that's one season of major college basketball amongst them, from the "streetball" legend Alston. In fact, Van Gundy himself had only one season of major college basketball as well - a very forgettable season as the coach of the Wisconsin Badgers in the mid-90s, before Dick Bennett and Bo Ryan made basketball as fashionable as football in Madison.

Yet here the Orlando Magic stand, one game from the NBA Finals. Though there's still work to do, this run isn't going to surprise anyone any longer.

Backtime Guest Columnist: Turtle's Taste of the Town

This is a response to Fran Fraschilla's Top 5 "Franchise" restaurant chains.

These are the places Fran would only go if he a) needed to use the restroom or b) conveniently forgot his wallet while out with the group.

Without further ado, the best "one-of-a-kind" places to eat in the Big 12:


By Anthony DeVita

1. Hullabaloo Diner - College Station, TX

This is as old school as it gets...But when you try and bring a bunch of hungry people there on your lunch hour, make absolutely certain it's open. (Closed Monday & Tuesday) There's no beating the Roman Sausage Sandwich, topped with peppers, onions and smoked provolone cheese with a red marinara sauce on the side (which is key for me...Nothing is more disappointing than soggy bread). And if you walk in and see the Italian Pork Sandwich on the specials board, do yourself a favor and order it...It's the best you'll find outside of Tony Luke's in Philly.

2. Magnolia Cafe - Austin, TX

This is the kind of breakfast I wish I could have everyday. The omelets are big and fluffy (I had the Popeye - Spinach, bacon, red onion, cheese and topped with a bit of sour cream) Homefries are a big favorite of mine and they do it right here...Kept on the flattop grill until a nice crust forms on the outside. But the real stars here are the pancakes...Your options: Buttermilk, Whole Wheat, Cornmeal or...Gingerbread -which are amazing, like biting into a big warm buttered cookie.

3. Adriana's Deli - St. Louis, MO

*Not technically a Big 12 town, but you have to land somewhere on the way to Columbia.

The Hill in St. Louis is an Italian neighborhood that feels like what I imagine Brooklyn in the 1950's to have felt like. I just picture games of stickball and block parties clogging up the streets when the weather gets warm. And right down Shaw Street is a lunch only gem called Adriana's. When you first walk in the first thing that hits you, besides the fact that there is not an open chair to be had, is the smell. Authentic Italian. The list of sandwich combos are endless but all the usual suspects are represented. All of it served on their house baked bread, which makes all the difference.

4. Gian-Tony's - St. Louis, MO

Once you've put away the lunch at Adriana's, it's time to start thinking dinner, and on the Hill, you've got a lot of choices. The locals favor Gian-Tony's and it's easy to see why. Again, this place has the feeling of old New York about it. I had to look around to make sure Michael Corleone, the Police Captain and Sollozzo weren't dining at a nearby table. The Baked Ziti has something special about it, like grandma is in the back cooking just for you. And if you're going to have a successful Italian joint, the meatballs better be good, and Gian-Tony's have obviously served a few in their day.

5. Mama's 39th Street Diner- Kansas City, MO

Another classic diner on the outskirts of Kansas City. The name refers to its former location on 39th Street which had to be ditched for a larger, more accommodating location on Waddell Street a few blocks away. Again, breakfast is king here. You have about 80 omelet combos to choose from. And if they're all as good as the corned beef/bacon/cheddar, you'll be one happy diner. And any place that puts Frank's Hot Sauce in a traditional ketchup bottle right at the table is always going to hold a special place in my heart.

6th Man Award - Bleu - Columbia, MO

Try the Shrimp Cobb Salad...It's good all week.

While I've found many great places in my travel through the cities of the Big 12, you'll notice there is not one mention of BBQ. And I LOVE BBQ. And maybe it's because I haven't hit the right place yet, but overall my Big 12 BBQ experience has been moderately good at best. No one place stands out as being anything extraordinary. Maybe I just need another year of...research.

Backtime with Fran Fraschilla: Top 5 Restaurant Chains

If you know Fran, he’s the typical coach. He doesn’t appreciate the subtleties of the unique college town eateries. He’s a creature of habit and gave BACKTIME his definitive go-to restaurant “Fran”chise list.

1) McAlister’s – You can find this gourmet sandwich chain in practically every Big 12 city. Fran gets “The Patriot” (turkey, lettuce, and cranberry) each time. I’ve been there. He’d eat 365 of them a year if he could.

2) Panera Bread – Pumpkin muffin for breakfast. Morning routine. Keeps him regular.

3) Outback – Fran’s idea of fine dining: 7 oz filet with garlic mash.

4) Cracker Barrel – “Saturday is chicken & rice day” as Fran rubs his hands together in anticipation.

5) Applebee’s – The only place to eat in Norman after a night game. Unfortunately, what you eat in Norman doesn’t necessarily stay in Norman.

Sixth Man award to Bob Evans – You need that Big Boy coming off the bench with a hearty breakfast once in a while.

I picture Todd Blackledge reading this and his bus tumbling off the side of the road.