2007-08 Orlando Magic
The Magic created a stir in the free agent marking by nabbing Rashard Lewis in July, as a second round pick. They also signed Polish center Marcin Gorat, getting his rights from the Phoenix suns. This new surge in talent should stir things up a bit for the Magic, which will hopefully reflect on the court. More excitement is on the way, with the new arena approved - and The Magic are set to play in their new digs by the 2011 season. The new season went underway, however, with some sad news: Point guard Jameer Nelson's father, Floyd Nelson, was found dead in the Delaware river, after his August dissapearance. A tugboat repairman, Nelson's death currently remains ruled an accident by authorities.
Previous Seasons
Disney World is not the only Magical Kingdom in the beautiful city of Orlando. The sparkling TD Waterhouse Centre plays home to the Orlando Magic and provides NBA basketball fans with nightly thrills and excitement. High-flying veterans like Stevie Francis and the resilient Grant Hill are teaching the ropes to 2004 No. 1 NBA Draft pick Dwight Howard. It won’t be long until the Magic head back to the NBA Playoffs. Buy Orlando Magic tickets and head over to the TD Waterhouse Centre to see the Magic complete the long journey from NBA expansion franchise to NBA champions!
The Orlando Magic came to Orlando as an expansion team in 1989 after intense lobbying by the city and its leaders. The Magic arrived to a good response, playing their first game in the Orlando Arena on November 4th and netting their first win against the New York Knicks just two days later. That first season in Orlando the Magic managed 18 wins, a fair number for an expansion team in the NBA.
The arrival of Shaquille O’Neal for the 1992-93 season was a major turning point for the Magic. O’Neal was an instant success in the NBA. Coming out of LSU as a sure-fire NBA superstar, O’Neal won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, while scoring 23.4 points per game and snagging 13.9 rebounds. His heroics weren’t enough to get the Magic into the NBA playoffs, but good things were on the way for the Orlando Magic.
Putting Anfernee Hardaway in the mix in the 1993-94, by way of a draft trade gave Orlando their first playoff appearance in Magic history. Hardaway scored 16 points a game to compliment Shaq’s 29.3, the Magic finished at 50-32 for their first winning season, and Orlando went into the playoffs only to be swept by the Indiana Pacers in 3 games.
