You believe in Magic? Although only about two decades old, the Orlando Magic have already made 10 NBA playoff appearances, won three division crowns, a couple of trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and a trip to the NBA Finals. Next on the team’s wish list is the first NBA Championship of its franchise.
What’s so magical about the name Orlando? After a “name the team” contest, the three finalists were:
or the juice
or The Magic
o The tropics
The franchise “The Magic”, which refers to the main attraction of Orlando: The Walt Disney World Resort. As the largest and most visited resort on Earth, it is magical for both children and adults who visit it.
After a four-year grassroots effort, the Orlando Magic started an NBA expansion team during the 1989-1990 season. Unfortunately, his first season in the league was less than magical. The New Jersey Nets trapped the Magic in a 118-110 loss during the franchise opener. Unfortunately, the Magic’s first NBA season was also disappointing, at 18-64.
However, the Magic had a magical year only five years after entering the NBA. They had added Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal (Center) and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway (Guard) to their roster, making them true contenders in the NBA. In fact, Orlando finished the 1994-1995 season with an outstanding record of 57-25.
On his mother’s second trip to the playoffs, the Magic made their opponents disappear into thin air. They would crush the Boston Celtics (3-1), beat Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls (4-2) and cut the Indiana Pacers (4-3). However, in the NBA Finals, Orlando seemed to run out of magic. In Game 1, the Houston Rockets scored with a buzzer and finally won in overtime. They won the NBA Championship by sweeping the Orlando Magic (4-0).
Over the next season (1995-1996), the Orlando Magic posted a spectacular 60-22 regular season record heading into the playoffs. Orlando crushed the Detroit Pistons (3-0), and then the Atlanta Hawks (4-1). However, Michael Jordan and the Bulls would avenge their loss in the Eastern Conference Championship to the Magic, during the previous year. This time, they trampled the Magic (4-0).
In roughly two decades, the Orlando Magic rosters have featured some of the NBA’s biggest stars, including:
Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway
Hardaway has been to four All-Star games and three All-NBA teams.
Grant Hill (2000-2007)
Hill was the 1995 NBA co-“Rookie of the Year” and has been to seven NBA All-Star games.
Dwight howard
Howard has played two NBA All-Star games and was the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Champion.
Tracy mcgrady
Grady has been to seven NBA All-Star games and has won two NBA scoring titles.
Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal
Shaq has won four NBA championships and has been in 14 All-Star games.
Although they are one of the youngest teams in the NBA, the Orlando Magic have already advanced deeply into the NBA Finals. Use Orlando Magic merchandise to cheer on the team as they strive to make an NBA Finals trophy appear!
