Pagan Christmas tree decorations have a long and fascinating history, drawing from ancient traditions and beliefs that predate the Christian holiday. Many cultures have celebrated the winter solstice with evergreen trees adorned with various ornaments and decorations. These pagan symbols and practices eventually became intertwined with Christian traditions and continue to be used in modern Christmas celebrations. The use of evergreen trees as a symbol of life during the winter months predates the Christian era. Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Romans, and Celts, as well as some Nordic tribes, decorated trees during the winter solstice as a form of worship and to bring good fortune for the coming year. The green foliage of these trees represented fertility and renewal.

Hoopshype orlando magic

Over his last 14 games, Anthony Davis is averaging:

– 30.3 points (60% shooting)
– 11.4 rebounds
– 3.6 assists
– 2.3 blocks
– 1.4 steals

Darvin Ham responded "it's up there" when asked if this is Davis' best stretch since he began coaching him last season: pic.twitter.com/OM0IPgD38D

D'Angelo Russell declined to speak to reporters postgame for the second consecutive game.

Darvin Ham says Cam Reddish is getting looked at right now after getting elbowed in the face by Immanuel Quickley late in the 4Q.

Final: Lakers 132, Raptors 131.

Anthony Davis with a regular-season high 41 points. Lakers back to .500, at 19-19.

End of 3Q: Raptors 89, Lakers 88.

Raptors, leading 70-62, have made five of seven 3-pointers through the first 5½ minutes of the 3Q.

Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett have 19 points apiece on a combined 15-of-23 shooting.

Halftime: Raptors 53, Lakers 51.

Only 1 FGA (1-2 on FTs) for Anthony Davis (19 points, five rebounds, four assists) in the 7:17 he played in the 2Q.

End of 1Q: Lakers 28, Raptors 24.

Anthony Davis (16 points and three assists) was directly responsible for 23 of the Lakers’ 28 points. Lakers shooting 54.5% from the field, 18 PITP.

Final: Timberwolves 113, Magic 92

Moe Wagner - 21 pts, 8 rebs
Jalen Suggs - 20 pts, 5 rebs
Paolo Banchero - 18 pts
Trevelin Queen - 11 pts

ORL - 36.2% FG | 31% 3PT
MIN - 53.8% FG | 40% 3PT

Rui Hachimura remains day to day, per Darvin Ham, who said Hachimura had "some great days" including yesterday.

He's still listed as doubtful for tonight but doesn't sound like he'll be available against Toronto.

HoopsHype: Jonathon Simmons one of the biggest free agency steals

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 19: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against Langston Galloway #9 of the Sacramento Kings during the game on March 19, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The green foliage of these trees represented fertility and renewal. In pagan beliefs, many of the decorations used on Christmas trees hold symbolic meaning. For example, ornaments representing the sun, moon, and stars were common additions, symbolizing the connection between the heavens and Earth.

The Orlando Magic got a huge bargain in signing Jonathon Simmons to a three-year, $18 million deal. And HoopsHype says it was one of the NBA’s steals.

The NBA is still catching up to the new reality of its TV deal and the money it brought into the league.

Last summer, the league spent like gangbusters to get up to the new reality — a nearly $20 million increase in the salary cap. This year saw a more modest gain and increase. And teams were not as willing to spend. There are still a few players — not to mention several restricted free agents — who are still waiting for their turn.

At this point — and to the Orlando Magic’s benefit — those players appear to be taking whatever they can get so they can get back into the free agency cycle next summer.

The Magic did not have a ton of money to spend this summer after spending a good chunk of change last summer. Orlando had to be shrewd with how they spent. And so patience was the order of the day. The team needed to find bargains and strike when the opportunity was right.

By all accounts, they did that. And they did that with Jonathon Simmons for perhaps the biggest free agency steal of the summer.

Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype named Simmons and his three-year, $18 million deal with the Magic, one of the biggest steals of the free agency period.

"At the end of the day, this is a low-risk, high-reward signing for Orlando. Simmons turned heads throughout his time in San Antonio and showed glimpses of the player he could become if given more minutes and responsibilities. This is the first splashy move for Jeff Weltman and John Hammond since taking over Orlando’s front office, and it’s a smart pick-up. If Simmons breaks out and reaches his full potential, the Magic landed a steal on a great contract. If this doesn’t work out, they protected themselves by inking Simmons to a relatively short deal that they can easily get out of after two seasons."

Simmons certainly seems like he is on the cusp of breaking out if he could get a larger role.

He averaged just 6.2 points per game in 17.8 minutes per game. But in the Playoffs, when his minutes increased to 20.4 per game, he averaged 10.5 points per game. And when Kawhi Leonard went out with an injury, Simmons stepped his game up further. He averaged 15.3 points per game in 27.5 minutes per game in the Western Conference Finals.

Simmons still has his struggles as a shooter. And the Magic are not likely handing him a starring role — or even a starter’s role. But Simmons’ role overall will take a step up in Orlando.

That was something Simmons was looking for in eventually leaving the San Antonio Spurs.

Simmons said he felt sometimes constrained in San Antonio. He believed moving to a more wide-open style would be a better fit for him. That is something the Magic might be able to provide.

What was truly surprising is the Magic, with their limited cap room were able to get him on the deal he signed.

At the beginning of the summer, it looked like Simmons was due for a major payday. Even though he was a restricted free agent. But his market never really developed. And he sat on the heap waiting for an offer to come. The Spurs did a favor rescinding his qualifying offer and letting him into unrestricted free agency.

The Magic struck from there. And even if he ends up being exactly what he was in San Antonio — a strong defender who can go on scoring bursts — Orlando got a good bargain.

Undoubtedly, the Magic got a bargain and one of free agency’s biggest steals.

Orlando Magic Rumors

Josh Robbins: Mo Bamba, on putting his jersey over Devin Cannady’s open ankle fracture: “I just saw my teammate was down, and I just did what he would probably do for me. I just thought quick and I didn’t want him to see (the injury). I just took my shirt off my back and gave it to him.”

Magic rookie Devin Cannady suffers gruesome injury

Josh Robbins: Devin Cannady has been wheeled off the court following his lower right-leg injury after he challenged a shot and landed awkwardly. Cannady raised his right hand as he was wheeled off and gave a thumbs-up sign.

Steve Clifford likely to miss multiple games

Adrian Wojnarowski: Magic coach Steve Clifford will not coach vs. Pacers tonight and could miss multiple games, source tells ESPN. Clifford will be out until he can pass league’s health and safety protocols. Clifford tested positive for the coronavirus, but has been asymptomatic and feeling well.

Team officials are holding out hope that the test results were a false positive, but the most encouraging news is that Clifford has shown no ill effects, at least so far. He has not had a fever. His blood oxygen levels are normal. “I was shocked that it was positive,” Clifford said Saturday night after The Athletic reported that he had tested positive. “I feel 100 percent.”

On Saturday night, Clifford sounded more concerned that basketball fans might hear the news about his positive test and mistakenly conclude that vaccines are not effective or worth getting. Indeed, Clifford was not fully vaccinated when he likely was exposed to the virus. But he added that, if the tests were not false positives, he hopes the initial vaccine will make it less likely he develops COVID-19 symptoms. “I just don’t understand why anybody would be against the vaccination,” Clifford said. “I think that the more people that do it in our country, it’s better for all of us.”

The use of candles on trees represented the return of the sun's light after the winter solstice, while apples and other fruits represented the harvest and abundance. Other popular pagan symbols associated with Christmas tree decorations include holly, mistletoe, and pine cones. Holly, with its prickly leaves and red berries, was believed to ward off evil spirits and protect against witchcraft. Mistletoe was seen as a sacred plant that could bring fertility and protection against illness and evil. Pine cones symbolized the seeds of the new year and were often used to represent growth and fertility. Over time, these pagan traditions were incorporated into Christian celebrations of Christmas. As Christianity spread, the use of evergreen trees and pagan symbols became popular in Europe and eventually made their way to America. Today, pagan Christmas tree decorations continue to be used alongside more modern Christian symbols. Many people appreciate the rich history and symbolism associated with these decorations and use them to connect with their ancestral traditions or simply as a way to add a unique touch to their holiday celebrations. In conclusion, pagan Christmas tree decorations have deep roots in ancient beliefs and traditions. They are symbols of fertility, renewal, and protection that have carried through generations. Whether used for religious purposes or simply as a form of decoration, these symbols continue to be a timeless part of the holiday season..

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