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5 Orlando Magic stories that deserve its own documentary

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Darrell Armstrong and Doc Rivers headlines the Orlando Magic's Heart & Hustle team, a group that deserves its story told. (Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport)
Darrell Armstrong and Doc Rivers headlines the Orlando Magic's Heart & Hustle team, a group that deserves its story told. (Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport) /
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Rony Seikaly

One of the more amusing anecdotes from This Magic Moment came near the end.

As the Orlando Magic looked to replace Shaquille O’Neal, they settled in on a solid and versatile center in Rony Seikaly. But he came with a warning.

As Richie Adubato tells it, a coach told him teammates will hate Rony Seikaly because he is too pretty and would attract all the girls. I was seven at the time he played with the Magic, and my mom had a major crush on Seikaly. So there might be some truth to that story.

He is currently married to a Brazilian model, for what that is worth.

But Seikaly’s story on its own is a pretty incredible one. And while he played only 121 games across two seasons with Orlando, his story would provide some interesting insights on Magic history.

Seikaly averaged 16.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game with the Magic. He was probably the best replacement the Magic found for Shaquille O’Neal until Dwight Howard arrived. That would be eight years later.

Seikaly though would miss the 1997 Playoffs after suffering an injury in Game 1 against the Miami Heat, the team he is probably most known for playing with.

But Seikaly’s story is incredible beyond just his playing.

He was born in Lebanon before moving to Greece. He was the Heat’s first draft pick in their expansion year — sort of their Nick Anderson — and had a distinguished career in the NBA. He was also instrumental in helping Magic Johnson in his comeback from AIDS, seeking out Johnson to share his experience with his brother who died of AIDS.

But his second act is far more interesting and probably what he is most known for now. Seikaly became one of the best D.J.’s in the world.

Just listen to this (if it is your thing):

There is already a mini-documentary on him (see above). He is one of the truly interesting characters to enter the NBA and his life is certainly a story worth telling.