Orlando Magic (1989-Present)

Historical Moments:
1989/90: Four years after local developer and banker Jim Hewitt began promoting the idea of an NBA franchise in Orlando. To get things moving e lured then Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Pat Williams to Florida, and together they went to work selling merchandise, while persuading locals to make $100 deposits on season-ticket reservations, to convince the NBA to give them an expansion team. The dream finally became a reality on November 4th as a sold out crowd watched the Magic lose their first ever game at the Orlando Arena 111-106 to the New Jersey Nets. Two nights later Magic fans would get to enjoy their team's first win as the Magic stunned the New York Knicks 118-110. However, there would not be much success that first year as the Magic finished last in the Central Division with a typical expansion like 18-64 record.

1990/91: The Magic continued the struggle through the first half of their second season posting an 11-33 mark through January after losing the first 6 games. Despite the struggles their were some signs of hope as the Magic made their first mark in the NBA record book on December 30, when scrappy point guard Scott Skiles racked up a single games record 30 assists in a game against the Golden State Warriors, which the Magic still lost 119-113. However, the teams fortunes began to change in February as rookie Dennis Scott had a solid second half becoming a dangerous shooter behind the 3-point line as the Magic posted a winning record over the final 3 months to finish 4th in the Midwest Division with a record of 31-51. Following the season Scott Skiles who averaged 17.2 ppg and 8.4 assists per game was recognized as the NBA's Most Improved Player.

1991/92: Finally settling into the Atlantic Division the Magic had a disappointing 3rd season, as injuries limited Dennis Scott to just 18 games while leading scorer Nick Anderson missed 22 games, as the Magic finished in last place with a record of 21-61. However, out of the gloom of last place would emerge hope as the Magic won the NBA Draft lottery enabling them to select LSU star center Shaquille O'Neal.

1992/93: Even before he made his debut Shaquille O'Neal was a superstar, as most predicted he would become the next dominate center in the NBA. Shaq would not disappoint becoming an instant superstar with merchandising that rivaled Michael Jordan, while winning the Rookie of the Year with a solid 23.4 ppg, and 13.9 rebounds per game. However, the Magic's run for a playoff spot was hurt by injuries, as Dennis Scott got hurt down the stretch as the Magic fell short of the final playoff spot via tiebreaker with a 41-41 record. Missing the playoff only gave the Magic more good fortune again as they won the Draft Lottery again. The Magic would eventually swap picks with the Golden State Warriors to rights to Guard Anfernee Hardaway who was selected 3rd overall, as the Magic acquired 3 future first round picks so the Warriors could have the rights to Chris Webber, while getting the player they wanted all along.

1993/94: With the addition of Anfernee Hardaway the Magic had one of the most dynamic 1-2 punches in the NBA as Shaquille O'Neal continued to dominate scoring 29.3 ppg as the Magic made it to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history with an impressive 50-32 record good enough for 2nd place in the Atlantic. However, in the playoffs the young Magic would struggle losing the first 2 games at home by a total of 3 points as Shaq's weakness at the free throw line end up costing the team as they were swept by the Indiana Pacers in 3 straight.

1994/95: After building through the draft the Magic made themselves even stronger by signing free agent Horace Grant. Grant gave the Magic one of the best starting lineups in the NBA as Shaquille O'Neal continued to prove he was the next big thing in the NBA with another solid 29.3 ppg as the Magic won the Atlantic Division with a solid 57-25 record. In the playoffs the Magic got off to a fast start crushing the Boston Celtics 124-77 at home in Game 1. However, the Magic would slip up in Game 2 and went to the historic Boston Garden tied at a game apiece. Instead of being intimidated by the old building the Magic shut it down winning the final 2 games ever played at the historic old arena to beat the Celtics in 4 games. In the second round the Magic were matched up against the Chicago Bulls who were led by Michael Jordan who had just returned from his attempt to play baseball. After winning the first game 94-91 the Magic appeared to be asking for it when Anfernee Hardaway indicated Jordan was no longer the same player. The move motivated Jordan to return to number 23, as the Bulls evened the series. After splitting the next 2 in Chicago the Magic stepped it up and won Game 5 at the home 103-95. Not even Michael Jordan could stop Shaq and the Magic in Game 6 as the Magic won 108-102 to advance to the Conference Finals. In the Eastern Conference Finals the Magic would beat the Indiana Pacers in a hard fought 7-game series that saw the home team win every game. Facing the defending NBA Champion Houston Rockets, some considered the Magic a favorite. However, with a chance to salt away Game 1 at home on the free thrown line Nick Anderson usually a solid free throw shooter missed twice as the Rockets tied the game at the buzzer and won in overtime. The Magic would not recover from their disappointing Game 1 loss as the Rockets went on to sweep the series in 4 straight, as Hakeem Olajuwon dominated Shaq in a battle of All-Star Centers.

1995/96: Despite losing Shaquille O'Neal for the first 22 games the Magic weathered the storm early as Anfernee Hardaway picked up the slack during Shaq's absence leading the Magic to a solid 17-5 start. Shaq would return and would be dominate again leading the way with 26.6 ppg as the Magic won their 2nd straight division title with a record of 60-22. In the playoffs the Magic dominated sweeping the Detroit Pistons in 3 straight before dispatching the Atlanta Hawks in 5 games to set up a much-anticipated showdown with the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, the anticipated match up turned into a mismatch as Michael Jordan motivated by losing to the Magic a year earlier dominated, leading the Bulls to an easy 4-game sweep. Following the season the Magic would be stunned by Shaquille O'Neal who decided to sign a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, in order to future an acting career which he worked on throughout the off season staring in such Airplane classics as "Kazaam and Blue Chips."

1996/97: After losing Shaquille O'Neal to injuries the Magic brought in Rony Seikaly, who provided a solid 17.3 ppg. However, he was no replacement to Shaq as the Magic struggled with injuries costing Coach Brian Hill his job as the Magic sat at 24-25. Under his replacement Richie Audabato the Magic finished the season on a strong note as they got Anfernee Hardaway back to finish with a record of 45-37. In a Sunshine State showdown in the playoffs against the Miami Heat the Magic battled back from a 0-2 deficit by winning 2 games at home after losing the first 2 in Miami. However the Magic would fall in Gam3 5 in Miami by a score of 91-83. Despite the strong finish Richie Audabato would not be brought back as coach as the Magic hired Hall of Famer Chuck Daly.

1997/98: Under new Coach Chuck Daly the Magic would suffer the sting of injuries as Anfernee Hardaway plays in just 19 games due to a calf injury. Hardaway would not be the only injury that hurt the Magic a total of 275 player games were lost to injury as the Magic missed the playoffs for the first time in 5 years, with a record of 41-41 that had to be considered almost remarkable under the circumstances.

1998/99: In a season cut short by a 4-month lockout the Magic play solid basketball all season as they finished tied with the Miami Heat for the best record in the conference at 33-17, as Darrell Armstrong had a breakout season winning both the NBA 6th Man and Most Improved Player Awards with 13.8 pp and 6.7 apg. However, in the playoffs the Magic who lost the division via tiebreaker would experience a letdown in the playoffs as they are beaten by the Philadelphia 76ers in 4 games. Following the season Coach Chuck Daly would retire as the Magic decided to go with a youth movement trading away players like Anfernee Hardaway to the Phoenix Suns.

1999/00: With several transactions before and during the season no one knew what to expect from the Magic, as 11 players on their roster had 3 years or less NBA experience in the NBA. However, the young team would surpass expectations as they missed out in the playoffs by just 1 game finishing in 4th place with a 41-41 record, as Doc Rivers was named Coach of the Year. After a solid year with inexperienced talent the Magic made a splash in the Free Agent market signing Grant Hill away from the Detroit Pistons and Tracy McGrady away from the Toronto Raptors.

2000/01: The Magic entered the season with an air of optimism with their 2 big free agent signe�s. However, they would lose Grant Hill after just 4 games as he re-injured an ankle he had the previous season with the Detroit Pistons. However, their other sign�e Tracy McGrady would be then promised as he led the team in scoring with 26.8 ppg as he was named Most Improved Player by the NBA. Helping to make up for the absence of Grant Hill, would be Mike Miller who would earn Rookie of the Year honors with 11.9 ppg as the Magic finished in 4th place with a 43-39 record. However, in the playoffs the Magic would struggle as they are beaten by the Milwaukee Bucks in 4 games.

2001/02: Tracy McGrady continued to emerge as a superstar as he finished 4th in the NBA in scoring with 25.6 ppg. However, McGardy would not have much help as Grant Hill's comeback was ended after just 14 games, as he had to get more surgery on his bad ankle. Despite the injury to Hill the Magic would make it back to the playoffs by finishing in 3rd place with a 44-38 record. However, in the playoffs the Magic would be stung by the Charlotte Hornets in 4 games.

2002/03: The rise of Tracy McGrady into a NBA superstar is completed as he wins his first scoring title with 32.1 ppg. However, with Grant Hill playing just 29 games it seemed as if he was all alone again as the Magic barely made the playoffs with a record of 42-40, as they tried to improve themselves down the stretch by acquiring Drew Gooden, and Gordon Giricek from the Memphis Grizzlies for Mike Miller, Ryan Humphrey, and draft picks at the trade deadline. In the playoff McGrady would continue to establish himself as a true star he scored 40 points twice against the top seeded Detroit Pistons who had the toughest defense in the NBA, as the Magic jumped out to a 3-1 series lead. However, with the NBA switching the first round to a best of 7 the Magic needed to win one more game. That win would never come as the Pistons came back to win 3 straight and take the series in 7 games.

2003/04: Injuries hamstrung the Magic from the start of the season as Grant Hill missed the entire season recovering from ankle surgery while Patrick Garrity was lost after just 2 games. The Magic started the season with an 85-83 win on the road against the New York Knicks. However there season would go straight down right after as they lost their next 19 games costing Coach Doc Rivers his job. With Johnny Davis taking over on the bench the rest of the season the Magic continued to suffer through a frustrating season as they never recovered from the losing streak finishing dead last with a NBA worst record of 21-61 despite Tracy McGrady leading the NBA in scoring for the second straight season with 28.0 PPG. Following the season McGrady who demanded a trade would be shipped to the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster deal that saw the Magic land Steve Francis. Finishing with the worst record in the NBA enabled the Magic to the top pick in the draft which they used on High School Player of the Year Dwight Howard.

2004/05: With a mix of old Grant Hill who after years of injury and frustration was able to play 67 games and young Dwight Howard the first overall pick straight out of high school the Magic had a strong first half sitting at 28-24 at the All-Star Break, while Steve Francis acquired for Tracy McGrady led the way with 21.3 ppg. In the second half the Magic began to stumble losing 10 of 13 leading to the dismissal of Coach Johnny. With
Chris Jent running the team the rest of the way the Magic would not fair much better missing the playoffs while finishing in 3rd Place with 36-46 record hurt by an awful 2-9 April.

2005/06: The Magic got started off on the wrong foot as they were unable to sign first round draft pick Fran Vazquez, who chose to stay in Europe. Meanwhile Grant Hill was bitten by the injury buy again as a hernia limited him to just 21 games and a 15.1 ppg, as the Magic started 0-3, and sank early in the Southeast Division standings. Steve Francis would be the team's leading scorer, but management had grown tired of his selfish play on the court, as they felt it was hurting the development of Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard. As the trade deadline approached the Magic decided to head in a different direction, first they acquired Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Kelvin Cato and a 2007 draft pick, and then they dealt Francis to the New York Knicks for Trevor Ariza and Anferne Hardway. However, there would be no Orlando homecoming for Penny, as he was immediately released following the trade. Not surprisingly the Magic struggled after the deals dropping to 20-40 on March 6th, but as the new team started to gel the Magic suddenly got hot and made a late push for the playoffs by winning 16 of their next 20 games. However, in the end the hole was too deep as they fell four games short of the 8th seed while posting a record of 36-46.

2006/07: The Magic used their strong finish to get off to a strong start in the new season as they sat in first place early with a 13-4 record. However, in December injuries would cripple the Magic as they won just 4 of their next 14 games. The Magic would recover with a five game winning streak as the New Year started, but it was just a minor reprieve as they slumped again at the end of January. While Dwight Howard continued his development into a NBA star, making his first All-Star Game, the Magic slump continued as they dropped below .500. Once again the Magic were looking at missing the playoffs when finally they started to play to their November level, as they won their last four games to slip into the playoffs for the first time in four years with a record of 40-42. Unfortunately they would prove overmatched in the playoffs as they faced a veteran Detroit Pistons teams used to playing deep into the playoffs, falling in four straight games. Following the season the Magic would make a coaching change, firing Brian Hill. To replace Hill the Magic wanted a big name fans in Florida could attach to, so they hired Billy Donovan who led the Florida Gators to two straight National Championships. However, Donovan had a change of heart a few days later, and asked out of his contract so he could stay with the Gators in Gainesville. After the Magic and Donovan reached a settlement the Magic fired former Miami Heat Coach Stan Van Gundy. However, their biggest off-season move was the signing of highly touted free agent Rashard Lewis from the Seattle Super Sonics.