Orlando Magic are a professional basketball team based in Orlando,
Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the
National Basketball Association (NBA) and are currently coached by Stan Van
Gundy. The franchise was founded in 1989 as an expansion franchise and has had
such notable NBA stars as Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Steve Francis, Grant
Hill, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, and Dwight Howard throughout its young
history. The franchise has also been in the playoffs for more than half of their
existence (11 playoff appearances in 20 years).
Founded: 1989
Arena: Amway Arena
Team
colors: Blue, black, white, silver |
 |
|
Orlando Magic Basketball |
|
Orlando Magic Basketball Tickets |
2006present: Back to the Playoffs
With the 11th pick in the NBA Draft the Magic took the former Duke star J. J. Redick. Even with the fan support to get him playing time he averaged just over
11 minutes a game. After beginning the season strong with a 134 record, the
Orlando Magic began to suffer in the standings as the result of multiple losses,
due in large part to the injuries of Tony Battie, Trevor Ariza, Keyon Dooling,
and Grant Hill. The Magic were also hampered with the sporadic play of many of
their young stars, who on multiple occasions showed their propensity for streaky
shooting and the team's lack of a solid scoring two-guard. Despite the team's
poor play, Dwight Howard continued to develop and blossom in his third year in
the league, culminating in his first selection to the Eastern Conference
All-Star team. The final few weeks of the season saw the Magic build momentum
and confidence with an impressive late push towards the Playoffs. On April 15,
2007, with an 8886 victory over the Boston Celtics, the Magic secured its first
berth in the NBA Playoffs since 2003 by locking up the 8th seed in the Eastern
Conference. This marked the first time that the team had made the playoffs while
posting a losing record. Nevertheless, their Playoff run ended on April 28, 2007
after they were swept in the first round by first seeded Detroit Pistons whose
experience, veteran leadership and ability to consistently make the clutch
basket proved far too much for the undermanned and overwhelmed Magic to
overcome. It was announced on May 23, 2007, that Brian Hill had been fired as
head coach of the Magic.
On June 1, the Magic signed Billy Donovan to be their head coach for five years.
The next day, Donovan wished to be released from the contract and the Orlando Magic
agreed several days later. On June 6, 2007, the Magic signed a 4-year contract
with Stan Van Gundy. In the free agent market, the Orlando Magic signed Rashard Lewis of
the Seattle Supersonics to a six-year league-maximum contract believed to be
worth over $110 million. At the NBA China Games, the Magic swept the three games
in China, twice against the Cleveland Cavaliers and once against the Chinese
national team in games held in Shanghai and in Macau.
On November 15, 2007, Bob Vander Weide, the son-in-law of Richard DeVos,
officially took over as owner of the team, although ownership is still split
evenly amongst Richard DeVos' other children as well.
The Orlando Magic started the 200708 NBA season with an impressive 164 record in their
first 20 games, which included wins over the Boston Celtics and Cleveland
Cavaliers. Through the next few months, the Magic were not so successful,
splitting their next 36 games with 18 wins and 18 losses. At the start of March,
the Orlando Magic seemed to pick up speed again, finishing the month with 10 wins, the
first time since November that they won 10 or more in a month. The Magic
clinched the Southeast Division title when the Washington Wizards were routed at
Utah 12987 on March 31, 2008. It was the Magic's third division title, but only
their first since 199596 season, as well as their first since the Southeast
Division was formed. They also earned their 50th win of the season against the
Chicago Bulls on April 13, which had not happened since the 199596 season. The
Magic finished the regular season 5230, their best season since 199596. With
the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference, they were matched up in their first
round playoff series against the Toronto Raptors. The Orlando Magic had home court
advantage for the first time since the 199899 season.
The 20th anniversary logo.On April 28, 2008, at Amway Arena, the Orlando Magic
eliminated the Raptors with a 41 series victory in the first round. It was the
first playoff series victory for the Magic in 12 years after 6 straight first
round exits. The run of success didn't last long as they fell 41 to the
experienced Detroit Pistons in the second round. With the Magic already down in
the series, controversy erupted after the Pistons' Game 2 victory. At the
conclusion of the 3rd quarter, Chauncey Billups of the Pistons made a three
point shot giving the Pistons a three point lead. However, the clock had stopped
just as the play began. NBA rules prohibit officials from using instant replay
or any timing device to determine how much time has elapsed when a clock
malfunctions, nor is a replay allowed to be viewed from the time of the
malfunction to when the play ends, when the game clock has not expired. Because
of the rule, the officials then estimated that the play took 4.6 seconds, and
because there were 5.1 seconds remaining when play began, the field goal was
allowed to be counted. The NBA later admitted that the play actually took 5.7
seconds and the basket in question should not have counted. The Pistons went on
to win Game 2. The Magic were able to win Game 3, with the Pistons' Chauncey
Billups out for most of the game with an injury, but were unable to take
advantage of his absence and defeat the Pistons in Games 4 and 5, which ended
the Magic's playoff run in 2008.
The first half of the 200809 season went very well for the Orlando Magic. After 41
games, the Magic were 338, leading the Southeast Division, as well as having
one of the top four records in the league. At the start of February, Jameer
Nelson, their all-star starting point guard, went down with a shoulder injury
which caused him to miss the remainder of the season. After trading for Rafer
Alston, the Orlando Magic finished the regular season with a 5923 record, it was the
most games the team had won in a season since the 199596 season in which they
had 60 wins. In the playoffs, the Orlando Magic beat the Philadelphia 76ers in the first
round of the playoffs and the defending champions the Boston Celtics in the
Eastern Conference semifinals, behind assistant coach Patrick Ewing's guarantee
that they would win Game 7 of that series. In their first conference finals
since 1996, the Orlando Magic beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, which were led by the
season's MVP, LeBron James. After dropping the first two games in the Finals
against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Orlando Magic finally won their first ever game in
the finals in Game 3. The Lakers won the series and the championship by beating
the Orlando Magic in five games.
In the 2009 offseason, Orlando Magic traded Rafer Alston, Tony Battie, and Courtney
Lee to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for eight-time All-Star Vince Carter and
Ryan Anderson. They then made several free agent signings. On July 10, former
Dallas Mavericks power forward Brandon Bass was given a 4 year deal. On July 21,
the Orlando Magic signed former Phoenix Suns Forward Matt Barnes. On August 19, they
signed former Miami Heat point guard Jason Williams. |
|
