Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic was the home of some of the biggest names that ever played in the NBA.

To name them, Anfernee Hardaway, Shaquille O’neal, Grant Hill, Steve Francis, Vince Carter, Gilbert Arenas, Tracy McGrady and Dwight Howard. The Magic is based in Orlando, Florida. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference.

More than half of their existence, they had been in the postseason. They are the most successful team in the four expansion teams last 1988 and 1989 in terms of winning percentage.

Franchise History

They were organized in 1989 as part of the expansion teams along with Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Their first head coach is Matt Guokas. In 1989, they slected Nick Anderson as the 11th pick of the first round who is the first draft pick of the franchise.

Their first game was on Novemebr 4, 1989 against the New Jersey and lost 111-106. Two days later, they acquired their first win of the franchise over the New York Knicks. Their roster consists of Reggie Theus, Scott Skiles, Terry Catledge, Sam Vincent, Otis Smith and Jerry Reynolds and ends the season with 18-64 record.

In the 1990 Draft, they acquired Dennis Scott as the fourth overall pick. They finished the season with a 31-51 record. In 1991-92 season, they were barraged by numerous injuries as a result to a 21-61 record.

In 1992, they selected Shaquille O’neal as the first pick of the draft. O’neal is 7 ft. 1 inch center that already established his presence for the team and helped them improve their record with 41-41 season. He is also named rookie of the year that season.

The next season, Brian Hill replaced Guokas and they selected Chris Webber as the no. 1 draft pick but traded to the Golden State Warriors for guard Anfernee Hardaway. The duo of Shaq and Penny had made the team one of the prominent teams in the league.

They managed to win 50 games and only lost 32 games. They were the fourth seed as they moved on to the playoffs for the first time. They were swept by the Indiana Pacers in the first round. In 1994-95 season, they got Horace Grant from the Chicago Bulls as a free agent.

They improved again with a 57-25 record, best in the East and winning their Atlantic Divison title. They defeated the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference bracket but lost to the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals.

1995-96 season was their sixth and had their best record of 60-22 win-loss record, 2nd in the east before the 72-10 Bulls. They advanced to the playoffs and routed against the Pistons and Hawks. They lost in the Eastern Conference Finals against the trio of the Bulls.

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