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Orlando Magic Rewatchables: Unanswerable Questions from the 1995 Orlando Magic-Chicago Bulls series

By Philip Rossman-Reich

As we revisit the Orlando Magic's series win over the Chicago Bulls, defeating Michael Jordan stands the test of history. (Mandatory Credit: Jonathan)
As we revisit the Orlando Magic's series win over the Chicago Bulls, defeating Michael Jordan stands the test of history. (Mandatory Credit: Jonathan) /
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Would the Magic have been better off losing this series?

I often think about this question with the 2009 Finals team. The Orlando Magic took advantage of an injury to Kevin Garnett to get to the Finals. And whenever you can get to the Finals, you go there and take your chance to win the title. If there is one thing every team should know: When the window is open, you run through it until it shuts on you.

The 2010 Magic had to completely retool itself with free agency to stay in contention. And they did enough to stay in contention and have their best shot at winning a title. But they lost some spark that made the 2009 team so special.

There is something to the struggle it takes to win. There are lessons to learn along the way. And success that comes too quickly means there are things lost along the way. The sacrifice it takes to win is earned.

Especially for a franchise that experienced success so quickly like the Magic.

Orlando was already pretty creative to go get a player like Horace Grant (and honestly Anfernee Hardaway). The team certainly sensed its window was open. And they went for it, as they should have.

But what would have happened if the team loses this series? Their top-seed leaves them with a loss to one of the old stalwarts of the league?

How would they have changed their approach? What changes would they have made? Could the Magic have innovated a way to beat the Bulls or would they have trusted their development and growth would take them up a level?

Would a loss in this series given them an idea of how valuable and necessary both O’Neal and Hardaway were? Does it change offseason preparations?

Without the scarring of Game 1 of the 1995 Finals, does the team come back more resolved and mature? Does Nick Anderson keep up his level or do the Magic look to add someone else to the mix?

I find this question fascinating and a central question to both the 1995 and 2009 teams. They seemed like they peaked in the Playoffs before their actual teams peaked. And conditions around the league and expectations consumed them, closing their windows before they should have.