Last week, I received a text from brilliant sports columnist John Pages , asking me my opinion on the potential winner of the 2009 NBA Finals between Orlando and Los Angeles. He also requested me to give three clear reasons why I picked the winner to be so. I like underdogs and texted that I favor Orlando and cited three reasons. My comments as well as the comments of others saw print in John’s sports column the day before game one of the NBA Finals.

I must have received at least 10 calls that day asking me if I was sure with my pick. The number of calls only increased since Game 1 until the winning of the underdog in Game 3. We are really a NBA obsessed country as the NBA finals are the topic of choice everywhere, even doing the impossible, eclipsing the Hayden video scandal. So to throw more fuel into the fire, here is my own tribute to the underdog.

One of the best stories of Orlando is the story of the Magic’s secret little weapon, the shortest and youngest person on the court during every home game of Orlando’s magical ride to the Finals, seven year old Gina Marie Incandela.

When Gina was two years old, she was diagnosed to have a form of autism called PDD NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified). One of the effects was that Gina had very poor social skills, and had speaking delays. She did not look people in the eye and had poor eating habits. She was afraid of crowded places and had trouble adjusting to new environments.

On of her teachers decided to use music to calm and encourage Gina. Gina started humming and singing and showed incredible development. Using singing , she was able to overcome her autism and is now a regular seven year old. One of the earliest songs that she sang was the Star Spangled Banner. She sang it with so much passion and gusto that people sat up and took notice. She has since then performed at Major sporting events including the 2008 US OPEN, as well as regular NBA, MLB and NHL games.

Gina has also become magical for Orlando. The Magic have never lost a game when Gina sings the National Anthem, an incredible 7-0 at home with their little singer.

The other side story is that Orlando as a team is composed of misfits and players that nobody wanted. Dwight Howard is perpetually being mocked by the player he idolized, Shaq. People keep bemoaning the lack of post moves as well as the lack of a mean streak that people have come to expect from big men. One of the most common comments given to Dwight during the game is, “Stop Smiling!”

Rashard Lewis was heavily criticized for being undeserving of his rich contract. Hedo Turkoglu was known more as the awkward shooter with a goofy face that people associate with coming from the country that is used as the main dish at Thanksgiving dinner. Courtney Lee was supposedly too young and too green, coming in as a unheralded rookie. Jameer Nelson was recognized as too short and Rafer Alston as too flashy and mentally deficient to be taken seriously. French player Mickael Peitrus was not too long ago languishing in the Golden State doghouse. Polish player Marcin Gortat looks like a white Disney villain and though effective, looks very awkward. Don’t even get me started on the heartbreak kid, JJ Reddick.

This is a team nobody expected to be here. It is a team composed of players fighting to overcome their own personal disappointments. Their coach, Stan van Gundy, is more known as the “Master of Panic” and has been heavily criticized by his former players. Stan is also the polar opposite of his former boss, GQ coach Pat Riley. Frumpy is often used to describe Stan’s look. But you know what, The Orlando Magic are here. They have won Game 3, and have constantly improved every game, even shooting a record 75% in the first half of their Game 3 win.

Everybody acknowledges that the odds are stacked against Orlando claiming their first ever title. On paper, it does look improbable. But that’s what experts said about little Gina Marie also. Gina Marie has overcome all that life has thrown at her. At the age of 6, she even recorded a CD single entitled “I Dare to Dream”, an inspirational song about having hope and overcoming the odds.

Why do I like underdogs? Up to now, I still get emotional watching movies about how ordinary people can overcome the odds. I believe the World needs underdogs that win to show us that Life’s odds can be overcome, that we can break free and become winners. Orlando may not ultimately win but I believe and I dare to dream. I think you should too. It’s Magic after all.

Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

For comments, suggestions or stories that you want to share, email me at stirspecialist@gmail.com , or visit www.stirspecialist.com