Middle of the 4th, and it finally happened; it was only a matter of time before REM's cover of The Clique's "Superman" would be played for Dwight Howard. But had you told me 6 months ago that video would be played in the 4th quarter of the Magic's Eastern conference finals clinching victory, I'd have openly laughed in your face. I wouldn't have even been polite about doing so. And now, here we are.

The most important thing a superstar player can do in a game, any game, is set the tone. Tonight, more than any other game in his career, Dwight Howard set the tone: early, middle and late.

It starts where it always starts: the beginning. In the first quarter, Dwight came out playing like he should always play; like no player ever could play every game, but that we ask them to anyways. Tonight, Dwight rose to the occasion, to the tune of 13/5 at the end of the first. He did not let up. At all.

This was probably the closest to a one man show the Magic have come all season, but it never compared to what Lebron did in Game 5. Dwight, as ridiculous as he was tonight (and make no mistake: even desensitized by Lebron this series, 40pts, 14rebs, and 4 assists is really goddamn ridiculous), he never had to do it alone.

With Dwight on the bench in the second quarter, Rashard took over, shooting repeatedly over Anderson Varejao's outreached arms. Rafer Alston hit a few timely jumpers. Courtney Lee was active, and repeatedly buried the 16 foot jumper, which he's become completely money on and I can't wait to see him shooting it next year.

And I don't know what else to write about Mickael Pietrus at this point. Stellar defensive effort against the best in the world. Stellar offensive effort, just doing what he was supposed to do. A ridiculous 17/36 in the series from downtown, 4/7 tonight. 14pts, 5 rebounds and 2 assists over all. But that doesn't even tell the whole story, for Pietrus or the team.

The story was confidence. The media constantly beats to death tired cliches about "PRESSURE", and about how pressure can make this, that or the other thing happen. Role players are supposed to choke under pressure.

But there were the Magic's players rising again and again. Rising up to shoot long 3s and drilling them. Rising to go up and get offensive rebounds that wouldn't have otherwise gone their way. Rising up to contest shots. Rising up to contest. Rising up to make sure nothing came easy for Cleveland. Rising up to support their star.

And as I stated earlier, that's where it started: with their star. People have complained in the past that Dwight Howard is a star purely for marketing. Anyone who still thinks that now, after this, should be beaten with a sack of oranges. Dwight dominated on both ends of the court as only a center, playing at their highest level, can. He was the old reliable; the most boring standard in all of professional sports: The Dominant Big Man.

It's often been a sadly discussed topic that the ultimate truth in the NBA is that big men are easier to build around, and that championships come easier to teams with dominant big men. Phil Jackson said as recently as a few weeks ago in an SI interview he'd start a team with Dwight over anyone else. There is a reason, and fans hate it.

The common logic is that big men just aren't as interesting as slashing wing players.

Bullshit.

40 points isn't interesting? Dominating inside to the tune of 6 offensive rebounds doesn't excite you? Go watch golf then, Grandpa.

Dwight finished 14/21 from the field and a very impressive 12/16 from the line. He finished the series at 71% from the line for the 6 game series. Is that a sign of things to come or an abberration? I have no idea, but I have reason to be hopeful.

It was fitting that, in the 4th, the Magic trying to protect the lead, the team FINALLY, at long long last, put the ball in Dwight's hands, saying: "You got us the lead; you keep it for us," And he did.

4 wins from immortality. n the words of the Magic faithful at Amway: "Beat LA."

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