Orlando Magic Daily
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Who is the Orlando Magic’s rival?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Apr 13, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) reacts for a rebound with Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) reacts for a rebound with Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Orlando won 97-90. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Orlando won 97-90. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Milwaukee Bucks

The inspiration for this examination of the team’s rivals started when the Bucks’ Web site selected the Magic as their potential rival.

A lot of that had to do with the connections between the two teams. Former Bucks coach Scott Skiles now coaches the Magic. And Tobias Harris has made a living torturing the Bucks with incredible scoring performances and some clutch shots.

So, why not?

These are two young teams seemingly on the rise in the NBA.

Milwaukee has somewhat arrived already with a Playoff appearance under its belt and a high draft pick waiting to develop in Jabari Parker. Orlando is not quite at that level yet.

Still, there are plenty of promising rivalries already built in aside from Skiles and Harris.

Michael Carter-Williams and Victor Oladipo have a budding rivalry dating back to their college days when Carter-Williams’ Syracuse team ousted Oladipo’s Indiana team from the NCAA Tournament. They each got their first triple doubles against each other in a game their rookie seasons. And, of course, Carter-Williams took the Rookie of the Year award from Oladipo.

There have been some solid games between the two already.

More than anything, these are two of the best young cores in the NBA. The Bucks seem already to have gelled and developed into a Playoff team while the Magic are still trying to get to that level. The rivalry will be nothing more than personal, individual rivalries until Orlando takes that next step up.

Next: Echoes of the past again