Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Tobias Harris, and the top 10 finishes of the last 10 years

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Nov 5, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) is mobbed by his teammates after hitting a last second shot to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Magic defeated the 76ers 91-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) is mobbed by his teammates after hitting a last second shot to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Magic defeated the 76ers 91-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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SteveFrancis2005
SteveFrancis2005 /

Ten years ago, the Magic were at a crossroads.

Tracy McGrady was shipped out of town after a tumultuous year that saw the Magic finish 21-61 and get the No. 1 overall pick. McGrady demanded the team put together a winner as he clashed with then-general manager Jon Weisbrod.

Orlando went with the raw Dwight Howard over the polished Emeka Okafor. Then sent McGrady for a “tough guy” that fit Weisbrod’s eye in Steve Francis.

That move had its doubters. Francis was an all star, but nowhere near the game-changing talent of McGrady. And then his mood and mercurial nature got the best of him and he never became much of anything in Orlando. His presence was a good transition before Dwight Howard was ready.

His first game though, oh it was so sweet.

As Brian Schmitz wrote in the Orlando Sentinel:

"The ending was fitting for a franchise that is trying to erase all the losing of last season: The Orlando Magic got to celebrate their first victory twice. They had already beaten the buzzer and the Milwaukee Bucks 93-92 Wednesday night on Steve Francis’ driving lay-up and had merrily sprinted to the locker room to celebrate. But it was determined that Francis had been fouled with .02 seconds left. With the mournful Bucks still on the court, the Magic returned to cheers after several minutes. Coach Johnny Davis came back without his suit coat. Francis hit the rim on purpose with his free-throw attempt to eat up the remaining time, and the Magic once again celebrated in front of 15,138 at TD Waterhouse Centre."

The highlight is still pretty incredible when you look back at it. Especially when you consider Francis doubled down and hit a game-winning jumper in the second game that season against New Orleans a few nights later.

If only the rest of his tenure in Orlando went that well.

Next: Dwight's dunk