Orlando Magic

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Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic logo
Conference Eastern Conference
Division Southeast Division
Founded 1989
History Orlando Magic
1989-present
Arena Amway Arena
City Orlando, Florida
Team Colors Blue, Black, White, and Silver
Owner Rich DeVos
Head Coach Brian Hill
Championships 0
Conference Titles 1 (1995)
Division Titles 2 (1995, 1996)

The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Their current coach is Brian Hill, in his second stint with the team as head coach.

Contents

[edit] Home Arena

[edit] Amway Arena

The Magic have played at Amway Arena near downtown Orlando since their inception in 1989. It was originally known as Orlando Arena (nicknamed the "O-Rena"), and recently known as TD Waterhouse Centre from 1999-2006. In December 2006, the naming rights were bought by Amway[1]. It is also the home field of the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League (and is then nicknamed "The Jungle")

[edit] New Orlando Magic Arena

On September 29, 2006, after years of on-and-off negotiations, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Magic announced an agreement on a new arena in downtown Orlando. The new 20,000-seat arena will be located at the southwest corner of Church Street and Hughey Avenue, with construction starting in early 2008 and is estimated to cost around $480 million.

The Magic will be contributing $114 million in cash and up-front lease payments and guaranteeing $100 million of the bonds to be used to pay for the facility. It is part of the "Triple Crown For Downtown", a $1.05-billion plan to redo the Orlando Centroplex with a new arena, a new $375-million performing arts center, and a $175-million expansion of the Citrus Bowl. The Magic are anticipating that it will be completed prior to the 2010-2011 regular season opener. [2] City officials said once the new arena is complete, the Amway Arena probably will be torn down.

NBA Commissioner David Stern promised Orlando would host an All Star Weekend once the arena is built. He cited the city's agreeable year-round climate, the presence of theme parks and other tourist destinations, and an abundant supply of hotels.

[edit] History

[edit] Early years

The Orlando Magic officially entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989. Led by a local businessman, Jimmy Hewitt and former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Pat Williams, the Magic hired Matt Guokas as the team's first coach. The inaugural team compiled a record of 18-64 with players including Reggie Theus, Scott Skiles (now current coach of the Chicago Bulls), Terry Catledge, Sam Vincent, Otis Smith (now current general manager of the Magic), and Jerry Reynolds. In the club's first draft in 1989, the Magic chose Nick Anderson with the 11th pick in the first round.

Original Magic logo, used from 1989-1999.
Original Magic logo, used from 1989-1999.

The club's first game was on November 4, 1989, at the Orlando Arena (O-Rena). Despite playing a hard-fought game, the visiting New Jersey Nets won 111- 106. The Magic's first victory came 2 days later, as the Magic defeated the New York Knicks 118-110.

In the 1990 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic selected Dennis Scott with the fourth overall pick. Scott, known as a sharpshooter, helped the Magic compile a 31-51 record. Combined with the fast-paced energy style of Skiles, who was named the NBA's Most Improved Player at the end of the season, the Magic heralded the NBA's most improved record that season.

1992 was a disappointing season for the Magic, who struggled through a 17-game losing streak.

[edit] The Shaq era

The club's history was changed dramatically with the 1992 NBA Draft. With the first overall pick, the Magic selected big-man Shaquille O'Neal from Louisiana State University. O'Neal, a 7 ft 1 in center, made an immediate impact on the Magic, leading the club to a 41-41 record. The Magic again were the NBA's most improved franchise, and O'Neal garnered All-Star starter status and the 1992-1993 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. However, the Magic missed that year's playoffs, because they were tied with the Indiana Pacers for the 8th (and final) playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and because the Pacers won the tiebreaker.

Missing out on the playoffs had a silver lining: despite having the NBA's best non-playoff record (and thereby the least chance of gaining the top draft pick with only one ball in the lottery machine), the Magic once again won the NBA draft lottery. In the draft, the Magic selected Chris Webber, but traded him to the Golden State Warriors for the number three pick, guard Anfernee Hardaway (known as "Penny" Hardaway) and three future first-round draft picks. Prior to the draft, Guokas stepped down as head coach, and Brian Hill was promoted to become the Magic's second coach. Also, General Manager Pat Williams was replaced by John Gabriel.

With the lethal combination of O'Neal and Hardaway, the Magic became a dominant team in the NBA, compiling the first 50 win season in franchise history with a 50-32 record. The Magic were in the playoffs for the first time, ranked the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the underdog Pacers team swept the Magic 3-0 in the first round, thus ending the Magic's season.

However, in the 1994-95 season, the Magic's sixth season, after acquiring rebounder Horace Grant as a free agent from the Chicago Bulls, Orlando compiled a 57-25 record, best in the East and winning the Atlantic Division title. In the playoffs, the Magic defeated the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and the Indiana Pacers, advancing to the NBA Finals. The Houston Rockets, though, ended Orlando's dream of a championship by sweeping Orlando 4-0 in the Finals to take the crown.

In the 1995-96 season, the Magic again dominated the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division with a 60-22 record, led by O'Neal and Hardaway. However, the Magic were seeded number two, behind the amazing 72-10 record the Chicago Bulls accumulated under Michael Jordan. In the playoffs, after the Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando met the Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals. The combination of Jordan, Scottie Pippen and rebounder Dennis Rodman as well as Toni Kukoc was too much for the Magic, and Orlando was swept 4-0 in the Eastern Conference finals.

[edit] End of the Shaq era

In the offseason, in a huge blow to the Magic franchise, O'Neal left as a free agent to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Magic still managed to compile a 45-37 record, led by Hardaway, Darrell Armstrong, the team's emotional leader, and newly-acquired free agent Rony Seikaly. In the playoffs, the Magic came close to stunning the heavily favored Miami Heat in the first round, extending the series to a decisive game five, even after losing the first two games. In the middle of the season, though, urged by player discontent, management fired coach Brian Hill and named Richie Adubato as interim coach for the rest of the season.

The Magic then hired Chuck Daly to be head coach for the 1997-98 season. In addition, Hall of Famer Julius Erving joined the Magic's front office, giving Orlando immense hope for a successful season. However, the season was hampered by injuries, as Hardaway sat out the majority of the season . Anderson, combined with newly acquired free agent Bo Outlaw, led the team to a respectable 41-41 record, just out of reach of the NBA playoffs. In addition, Rony Seikaly was traded during the season to the New Jersey Nets for three role players and a future draft pick.

In 1998-99, with the acquisition of Matt Harpring and Michael Doleac and a healthy Hardaway and Anderson, the Magic tied for the Eastern Conference's best record in the lockout-shortened season, 33-17. Armstrong again led the team emotionally, winning the NBA's Sixth-Man and Most Improved Player awards. In addition, Orlando also acquired NBA great Dominique Wilkins, along with brother Gerald, who were past their primes but were both still very good. In the playoffs, though, the Magic were seeded number 3 because of tiebreakers and faced the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers, led by Allen Iverson, upset the Magic 3-1 in the first round.

In 1999, the Magic, under General Manager John Gabriel, who was later named Executive of the Year, hired rookie-coach Doc Rivers. Gabriel dismantled the previous team trading their only remaining superstar Anfernee Hardaway to the Phoenix Suns for Danny Manning (who never donned a Magic uniform), Pat Garrity and two future draft picks. The Magic were then a team virtually comprised of all no name players and little experience which included team captain Armstrong, Bo Outlaw and a young Ben Wallace, along with Coach Rivers led the Magic to a 41-41 record, barely missing out on the playoffs. At the end of the season Rivers was named Coach of the Year by the NBA. This year was characterized by the slogan "Heart and Hustle", as the team was known for its hard-working style.

[edit] 2000-present

In the following offseason, Gabriel, with millions of cleared salary cap space, attempted to lure three of the NBA's most prized free agents: Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, and Tracy McGrady. Despite Duncan opting to remain with the San Antonio Spurs, the Magic acquired Hill, a perennial All-Star, and McGrady. However, Hill was limited to 4 games because of an ankle injury. McGrady blossomed into a star during this season, becoming one of the NBA's top scorers. With the addition of Mike Miller from the draft, the Magic compiled a 43-39 record, which included a nine-game winning streak, and once again made the playoffs. Miller won the Rookie of the Year that season. In the playoffs, the Magic faced an upstart Milwaukee Bucks team in the first round. The Bucks won the series 3-1.

In 2001-02, McGrady lead the Magic to a winning record of 44-38. However, Hill was still severely limited by his ankle injury and did not play for the vast majority of the season. McGrady, combined with Armstrong, Miller, and 3-point sharpshooter Pat Garrity, formed the core of the team that season. However, the Magic were defeated 3-1 in the first round of the playoffs by the Charlotte Hornets led by Baron Davis (the team has since relocated, becoming the New Orleans Hornets).

In 2002-03, with the acquisitions of Gordan Giricek and Drew Gooden from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Mike Miller and Ryan Humphrey, McGrady once again led the Magic to a 42-40 record. Despite still not having Hill due to injury, the Magic entered the playoffs for the third straight year. However, after taking a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven first round series, the Magic faltered and fell to the Detroit Pistons 4-3 in the now infamous heartbreaker in which McGrady was quoted as having the series secured after being up 3-1.

The Magic's 15th season in 2003-04 proved to be one of its toughest ever. Even with the acquisition of veteran free agents Tyronn Lue and Juwan Howard, the Magic struggled early. After winning its first game, the Magic lost 19 consecutive games, setting a franchise record. The Magic finished with a disappointing 21-61 record, the worst in the NBA. In the middle of the 19-game losing streak, coach Doc Rivers was fired, and assistant Johnny Davis was promoted. In addition, general manager Gabriel was replaced by John Weisbrod.

In the offseason, Weisbrod completely dismantled the team. Though he kept Davis at coach, he shook up the player roster, only keeping a few of the players from last season. The most significant trade was that of Tracy McGrady. McGrady, discontent with the Magic, wished to move on; Weisbrod accused McGrady of "slacking off" and not attending practices (McGrady later admitted that he did not give 100% percent during the 2003-2004 season). The Magic traded McGrady along with Reece Gaines, Tyronn Lue, and Juwan Howard to the Houston Rockets for Steve Francis, Kelvin Cato, and Cuttino Mobley. In addition, the Magic acquired center Tony Battie and two second-round draft picks from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Drew Gooden, Steven Hunter, and the draft rights to Anderson Varejao. The Magic then signed free agent Hedo Turkoglu. With the number one draft pick, the Magic selected high-school phenom Dwight Howard and traded for point guard Jameer Nelson. Nelson, who most scouts speculated to be a top-10 pick, fell to the 20th pick, and the Magic traded a future first-round draft pick to the Denver Nuggets for Nelson.

After a promising 13-6 start, the Magic began to fall apart. First, Weisbrod traded Mobley for Doug Christie from the Sacramento Kings. Christie, because of his emotional ties to the Kings, at first refused to play for the Magic. Later on, Christie claimed he had bone spurs and was placed on the injured list after playing only a few games for the Magic. Near the end of the season, with a playoff-push faltering, Weisbrod fired Davis after leading Davis to believe he was going to be the team's head coach for the entire 2004-05 NBA season. He then promoted Chris Jent to interim head coach.

Throughout the season, bolstered by Hill's return, the Magic played spectacularly, defeating top NBA teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns and the Detroit Pistons. However, led by the erratic play of Francis, the Magic also lost to league bottom-feeders, such as the expansion Charlotte Bobcats and the Atlanta Hawks. However, Howard showed great promise, becoming one of the few players to average a double-double. Howard was a consistent rebounder and scorer, becoming the first rookie to start and play all 82 games in a season. In addition, Nelson, after a slow start, developed into a talented player, taking over the starting point guard position. Hill also returned and averaged 19 points a game. Hill was chosen an All-Star starter by NBA fans, and Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson were named to the All-Rookie first and second teams, respectfully. Howard was an unanimous selection.

The Magic finished the season with a 36-46 record, disappointing after a strong start. Their playoff push was hampered by injuries in the last quarter of the season: a season-ending broken wrist for sixth man Hedo Turkoglu, a shin injury to Grant Hill, a rib cage injury to Nelson, and a three-game suspension to Francis for allegedly kicking a photographer. In the end, the Magic ended a few games out of the playoffs.

On May 23, however, the Magic's plans were disrupted by the abrupt resignation of General Manager and Chief Operating Officer John Weisbrod. In addition, the Magic announced the following day that Brian Hill, the coach who led the Magic to the NBA Finals under O'Neal and Hardaway, would return as head coach.

The Magic drafted Spaniard Fran Vazquez with the 11th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. On July 28, Vazquez stunned the team after announcing that he will remain in Spain to play for Akasvayu Girona, getting ridiculed by media after he was quoted that the decision to stay was made by his girlfriend.

Owner Rich DeVos announced on October 21 that he was transferring ownership to his children, with the official owner role moving to son-in-law and team President Bob Vander Weide. The transfer is supposed to be complete by the end of the year. [3]

The 2005-06 season opened with high hopes for the Magic despite not being able to add first round draft pick Vasquez. Grant Hill was supposedly finally healed from his multiple ankle surgeries. Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson showed excellent progress during summer-league play. Kelvin Cato was in shape for training camp. Second round draft pick Travis Diener showed excellent shooting and decision making during the summer. And the free agent signing of Keyon Dooling showed that the club was going to continue making progress.

Then the trouble began. Grant Hill, despite his ankle apparently being healed, suffered a painful sports hernia injury that would hamper his play throughout the entire season. After playing in three preseaon games, he underwent surgery to correct the hernia and would not appear during the regular season until mid-December, to which he lasted a month before attempting to make another comeback in February and early March, however only playing sporadically. Steve Francis continued to play in the selfish manner that he only knew how to play and hampering the development of Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard. Then a foot injury to Nelson forced him to sit out over a month.

Then rays of hope came shining down on the season. On February 15 the Magic announced that they had acquired Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Kelvin Cato and a 2007 top-five protected first-round draft pick. One week later on February 22 Orlando announced that they had traded Steve Francis away in exchange for Anfernee Hardaway (whom they waived two days later) and Trevor Ariza. With a set starting rotation of Battie, Howard, Turkoglu, DeShawn Stevenson, and Nelson, the Magic mounted a surprising run at the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, including an 8-game winning streak and twelve consecutive home wins. The streak included wins against NBA powerhouses Detroit, San Antonio, Dallas and Miami, as well as a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in which Howard recorded 28 points and a career-high 26 rebounds. Unfortunately, not only did a win by the Chicago Bulls over the Miami Heat on April 16 eliminate the Magic from playoff contention, but the Bulls also ended both Magic winning streaks with a 116-112 overtime victory in Orlando on April 17. However, with a nucleus of young talented players and plenty of salary cap flexibility, the future looks bright for the Magic heading into the 2006-2007 season.

After beginning the season strong with a 13-4 record, the Orlando Magic have suffered in the standings. As of February 26, 2006 the Magic are in the Number 8 playoff seed with a 27-30 record, after losing many games and suffering from the injuries of Tony Battie, Trevor Ariza, Keyon Dooling, and Grant Hill. If the Magic ever plan on reaching the playoffs again, they will need everyone in the support cast to aid Dwight Howard as Howard has been a star recently while his team suffers. Howard has averaged around 17 points per game, while trying to get his team back in the playoff race.

[edit] Uniforms History

  • 1989-90 - 1997-98 --- The home jerseys were white with black pinstripes, and black numbers with blue trim. The Magic logo on the jersey was blue with black trim. The road jerseys were black with white pinstripes, and blue numbers with white trim. The Magic logo on the jersey was the city name ("Orlando") and it was white with blue trim.
  • 1994-95 --- The Magic unveiled an alternate blue road jersey, with white pinstripes. It had white numbers with black trim and the Magic logo was the city name ("Orlando") logo with black trim.
  • 1998-99 - 2002-03 --- For the Magic's 10th anniversary they introduced a new look designed by fashion designer Jhane Barnes. They removed the pinstripes, but the silky home and away uniforms featured stars as the background. The home jersey is white, with blue Magic logo and numbers with black trim. The blue away uniforms had a white Magic logo (the team dropped the city name for the road uniform) and numbers with black trim.
  • 2003-04 - present --- For the team's 15th anniversary, the Magic opted for a cleaner look this time. The home jerseys were white and the Magic logo was blue with silver and black trim. The away jersey reverted back to the city name, and is blue. The logo and numbers are white with black trim.

The Magic participated in the NBA's "Hardwood Classics" campaign in 2003, debuting the retro black away jerseys from 1989 during Christmas Day. It was a little unusual to call the uniform a "retro" since the Magic wore them as recently as 1997-1998, however they have already had three jersey designs in only 15 seasons of play. The following season, they wore the 1994-95 blue alternates for "Hardwood Classics" and in 2005-06, they wore the home pinstriped jerseys from the inaugural year. In 2006-07, the Magic wore the black away retro jerseys again for "Hardwood Classics."

Bo Outlaw is the only Magic player to have worn all of the Magic jersey designs, and during 2005-2006 "Hardwood Classics," he was the only player on the roster to wear the home pinstriped jersey when it was still the current uniform, having joined the team in 1997 (last season of the pinstripes.) He repeated the same feat in 2006, wearing the black pinstriped jersey.

[edit] Season-by-season records

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, % = Win-Loss %

Season W L % Playoffs Results
Orlando Magic
1989-90 18 64 .220
1990-91 31 51 .378
1991-92 21 61 .463
1992-93 41 41 .500
1993-94 50 32 .610 Lost First Round Indiana 3, Orlando 0
1994-95 57 25 .695 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals
Orlando 3, Boston 1
Orlando 4, Chicago 2
Orlando 4, Indiana 3
Houston 4, Orlando 0
1995-96 60 22 .732 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals
Orlando 3, Detroit 0
Orlando 4, Atlanta 1
Chicago 4, Orlando 0
1996-97 45 37 .549 Lost First Round Miami 3, Orlando 2
1997-98 41 41 .500
1998-99 33 17 .660 Lost First Round Philadelphia 3, Orlando 1
1999-2000 41 41 .500
2000-01 43 39 .524 Lost First Round Milwaukee 3, Orlando 1
2001-02 44 38 .537 Lost First Round Charlotte 3, Orlando 1
2002-03 42 40 .512 Lost First Round Detroit 4, Orlando 3
2003-04 21 61 .256
2004-05 36 46 .439
2005-06 36 46 .439
2006-07† 34 40 .459
Totals 694 742 .483
Playoffs 26 34 .433

† – Season in progress (as of April 2, 2007)

[edit] Orlando Magic franchise records

[edit] Career

Active streak

[edit] Per Game Averages

[edit] Individual records

[edit] Players of note

[edit] Basketball Hall of Famers

[edit] Other Notable Players

[edit] List of Magic players who previously starred with other teams

[edit] Retired numbers

Orlando Magic alternate logo, 2001-present
Orlando Magic alternate logo, 2001-present
  1. 6 - "The Sixth Man - The Fans" (this was unretired in 2001-2002 for Patrick Ewing.)

[edit] Current stars

[edit] Current roster

Orlando Magic
Current Roster
Head Coach: Brian Hill Edit
F 1 Trevor Ariza (UCLA)
G 30 Carlos Arroyo (Florida Int'l)
F 40 James Augustine (Illinois)
F 4 Tony Battie (Texas Tech)
G/F 10 Keith Bogans (Kentucky)
G 34 Travis Diener (Marquette)
G 5 Keyon Dooling (Missouri)
F 8 Pat Garrity (Notre Dame)
G/F 33 Grant Hill (Duke)
C/F 12 Dwight Howard (SW Atlanta Christian Academy)
F/C 31 Darko Miličić (Serbia)
G 14 Jameer Nelson (Saint Joseph's)
F 45 Bo Outlaw (Houston)
G 7 J.J. Redick (Duke)
F 15 Hedo Türkoğlu (Turkey)
(FA) - Free Agent Orlando Magic

[edit] Staff

[edit] Current coaching staff

  1. Randy Ayers
  2. Mark Bryant
  3. John Kuester
  4. Tom Sterner
  5. Morlon Wiley
  6. Randy Wittman

[edit] All-Time Head Coaches

Name Years Won Lost Win % Games Playoff Appearances Playoff Seasons
Matt Guokas 1989-93 111 217 .338 328 - -
Brian Hill 1993-97 191 104 .647 295 3 1993-94; 94-95; 95-96
Richie Adubato1 1997 21 12 .636 33 1 1996-97
Chuck Daly 1997-99 74 58 .561 132 1 1998-99
Doc Rivers 1999-2003 171 168 .504 339 3 2000-01; 01-02; 02-03
Johnny Davis 2003-05 51 84 .378 135 - -
Chris Jent2 2005 5 13 .278 18 - -
Brian Hill3 2005-Present 59 67 .468 126 - -
17-year Total 1989-Present 683 723 .486 1406 8 1993-97, 1998-99, 2000-03
1Finished 1996-1997 season as interim head coach
2Finished 2004-2005 season as interim head coach
3Is in his second stint as Orlando Magic head coach
Stats Current as of January 27, 2007

[edit] Trivia

[edit] Orlando Magic and Miami Heat connection

  • Miami and Orlando not only share a home state, but also several starting centers throughout their history. The most prominent one being O'Neal, but also Doleac, Seikaly, and Schayes. When Shaq bolted for LA, the Magic traded for former Heat center Seikaly and he was the starting center for two years, succeeded by Schayes, and then Doleac.

[edit] Other

  • Like the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz, the Magic have a team rule that prohibits the wearing of headbands by its players during games.

[edit] 1997 NBA Draft

  • The Magic did not have a lottery pick in 1997, but five lottery picks went on to become Magic players. In 1999, the Magic traded Nick Anderson for #11 pick Tariq Abdul-Wahad. Wahad was then traded to Denver in 2000 for #3 Chauncey Billups and #6 Ron Mercer (who were both Boston Celtics lottery picks that year). In the offseason, the Magic signed free agent Tracy McGrady, the #9 pick. In 2004, the Magic acquired #5 Tony Battie. Other players from the 1997 first round became members of the Magic - besides their own choice Johnny Taylor, these players eventually played for the team - #15 Kelvin Cato (2004), #21 Anthony Parker (1999), and #27 Jacque Vaughn (2002).

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

National Basketball Association (2006–07)
Eastern Conference Western Conference
Atlantic: Boston Celtics - New Jersey Nets - New York Knicks - Philadelphia 76ers - Toronto Raptors Northwest: Denver Nuggets - Minnesota Timberwolves - Portland Trail Blazers - Seattle SuperSonics - Utah Jazz
Central: Chicago Bulls - Cleveland Cavaliers - Detroit Pistons - Indiana Pacers - Milwaukee Bucks Pacific: Golden State Warriors - Los Angeles Clippers - Los Angeles Lakers - Phoenix Suns - Sacramento Kings
Southeast: Atlanta Hawks - Charlotte Bobcats - Miami Heat - Orlando Magic - Washington Wizards Southwest: Dallas Mavericks - Houston Rockets - Memphis Grizzlies - NO/Okla City Hornets - San Antonio Spurs
Miscellaneous
Annual events: Playoffs - Finals - All-Star Game - All-Star Weekend - Rookie Challenge - Three-point Shootout - Skills Challenge - Shooting Stars Competition - Slam Dunk Contest - Draft
Other: Current team rosters - Dress code - Salary Cap - Arenas - D-League - WNBA - WNBA Finals - Europe Live Tour - Larry O'Brien Trophy - 50th Anniversary All-Time Team