"This year, there is something to prove.

Just ask Little Gina.

Just ask Little Jameer.

It's hard to quantify, but there just seems to be more seriousness during this year's prelude to the playoffs.

From everybody.

The players. The coaches.

Even the fans have turned it up a notch and are more businesslike.

Little Gina Marie Incandela, the 8-year-old the good luck charm who traditionally sings the national anthem before Magic playoff games, is melodic proof.

Her mother Michelle says she's been working diligently on her articulation and has choreographed a more dramatic finale.

Said Gina Marie before taking the floor and belting out her new-fangled Star Spangled Banner Sunday: "It's the playoffs.. We've all been waiting for this for a long time."

Little Gina might as well have been speaking for Little Jameer.

After all, nobody's been waiting longer for these playoffs to begin than Jameer Nelson.

This 98-89 playoff-opening victory over the Charlotte Bobcats wasn't about Dwight Howard (5 points) . And it wasn't about Vince Carter (4-of-19 from the floor). The Magic won because of one man. One very big little man."