The Orlando Magic are one of the most beloved teams in the NBA, and hold a special place in the hearts of their fans. The club was founded in 1989 by former NBA player Pat Williams, and has held a place in the league ever since. In this guide, we will explore the history of the Magic, their players, key games and achievements, and much more. Read on and discover why this team is so beloved, and at the end, try your luck and play casino games for real money at Otsobet Philippines.
Early History of the Magic
The Magic were founded with the help of Williams, a former NBA player who had served as the general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. At the time, the NBA was looking to further expand their reach, and the state of Florida presented an ideal platform. The team was named after "The Magic Kingdom" at Disney World, and was located in Orlando.
The Magic held their first official season in 1989-90 and gained a tie for the fourth-worst record in the NBA. That season, the team picked Shaquille O'Neal with the first overall pick in the draft, a great start for the young franchise.
The 1990s
The 1990s was the decade that put the Magic firmly on the map. Their draft pick of O'Neal proved to be wise and he quickly became one of the most iconic players in NBA history.
The team began to grow, and in the 1994-95 season, they won their division and advanced to the playoffs. This was the first of many playoff appearances for the Magic, as they faced off against the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Magic kept on making strides and eventually reached the finals in 1995-96 season, ultimately losing to the Michael Jordan-led Bulls. Despite the loss, the Magic were now established as a competitive team, and they were here to stay.
Post-Shaq Years
The Magic were shaken up in 1996 when Shaquille O'Neal decided to move to the Los Angeles Lakers. But the franchise stayed strong without O'Neal, and a new phase of the team began.
Steve Francis was a key player in this era, becoming the first-ever Magic player to be named an All-Star. He also became the first player in Magic history to win the NBA's Most Improved Player award in 2000.
The Magic continued their success and reached the playoffs in six out of seven seasons from 1999-2005. During this era, Tracy McGrady also joined the team and in the 2002-03 season, led the Magic to their first division title in seven years.
The Dwight Howard Years
2006 brought a new chapter to the Magic's storied history, as Dwight Howard joined the team. Howard quickly became the face of the franchise, leading the team to the playoffs in his first season. The Magic reached the NBA Finals in 2008, ultimately losing to the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers.
But Howard and the Magic still had much to celebrate. During his time with the Magic, Howard earned three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards, and was named an All-Star every year from 2007-2012.
The Post-Dwight Era
The Magic have been remarkable in their ability to stay competitive despite their key players leaving. When Dwight Howard decided to go to the Lakers in 2012, the Magic were able to move on with the help of players like Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris, and Aaron Gordon.
The team made its return to the playoffs in the 2017-18 season and advanced to the Eastern Conference First Round. This was to be the Magic’s last playoff appearance to date, but they look solid going into the 2021-22 season.
Conclusion
The Orlando Magic have played an important role in the history of the NBA. From Shaquille O'Neal to Dwight Howard, their roster of all-time greats is testament to the greatness of their franchise. The future looks bright for the Magic, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store.
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