In Orlando, Mike Bianchi notes fans "actually showed up to see" the Magic's home opener last night against the Cavaliers. It was a "festive atmosphere" at Amway Center, like opening night in the "glory days of yesteryear with poster giveaways" and "Magic Above All" T-shirts for every fan in attendance. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer: "I'm extremely fired up. ... This might be my favorite group of Magic players ever." Bianchi writes this is the "most anticipated Magic season in the better part of a decade because of the way the Magic finished last season when they ended a six-year playoff drought" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/24).
BANNER BANTER: In Toronto, Dave Feschuk notes the banner that now hangs in the rafters of Scotiabank Arena reads, "Toronto Raptors, 2019 World Champions." The five most recent NBA champion clubs have "veered away" from the "World Champions" phrase. The Warriors "went with 'NBA Champions' on each of their three most recent banners." A league spokesperson said that there is "no official league policy on the matter" (TORONTO STAR, 10/24).
LEGAL MATTER: In Portland, Aimee Green noted the "mother of a 12-year-old girl who says she was injured when a drunken fan toppled onto her" at a Trail Blazers game "filed a $453,000 lawsuit Monday" against the team. The suit claims that the team "should have removed the 'visibly intoxicated' fan before he fell" during Nuggets-Blazers on Nov. 30, 2018. The 180-pound man allegedly "knocked the girl another two rows down into a metal bar and caused injuries to her head, collarbone, shoulder, chest, wrist and legs." The suit also "lists Rip City Management and the alleged drunken fan as defendants" (Portland OREGONIAN, 10/23).
