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Orlando Magic Rebuild: Even surprise playoff teams can get off to slow starts

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Paolo Banchero's stellar start to the season has not translated into wins for the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Paolo Banchero's stellar start to the season has not translated into wins for the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic, Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat
Shaquille O’Neal stands tall over every figure in Orlando Magic history. (Photo credit should read TONY RANZE/AFP via Getty Images) /

Rookie playoff teams who struggled out of the gates

Shaquille O’Neal’s Orlando Magic (1992-93)

Record: 41-41, missed playoffs
Started: 8-9

Since we are diving into some history, there is probably some warrant to analyze Shaquille O’Neal’s rookie year with the Orlando Magic.

O’Neal was one of the most consequential rookies in recent history, taking a 21-win Orlando Magic team to 41 wins and to the brink of the Playoffs — the Magic lost the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference on the fourth tiebreaker to the Indiana Pacers. The rest of that was history with the team getting a second consecutive No. 1 pick the following summer.

The Magic got off to a great start winning their first two games. It was clear from the start that O’Neal changed everything about the Magic. He averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game. He did everything for the team and was a force. People forget how bouncy and energetic young Shaq was.

The Magic were hovering around .500 the whole year. But they had one early trouble spot.

The Orlando Magic lost six straight games in early December starting with a quick West Coast jaunt that saw them lose to the Seattle Supersonics but also to the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors. This was a young team with a lot to learn and not much veteran stability.

This team was all about O’Neal and how far he would take him with Dennis Scott and Nick Anderson providing some young help.

During that losing streak, O’Neal averaged 20.2 points per game, 13.3 rebounds per game and 4.5 blocks per game. O’Neal was still very impactful individually.

But it should be clear by now that individual brilliance from a top-notch rookie is not enough to win. Teams have to do well as a unit and that is where the Magic find themselves today with Paolo Banchero setting all kinds of rookie marks.