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4 things Orlando Magic fans want to see in the 35th anniversary season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - APRIL 02: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic looks on during the first half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at the Amway Center on April 02, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - APRIL 02: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic looks on during the first half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at the Amway Center on April 02, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Nov 16, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) drives tot the basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

5 things Orlando Magic want to see in the 35th anniversary season

A Playoff Berth

Look, as much fun as it will be to look back at the past and celebrate the team’s history with memories, appearances and jerseys, this season is still about the present. There is still an exciting and promising product on the floor to watch. And the future for this team is bright.

Paolo Banchero laid down the gauntlet at his Rookie of the Year Award acceptance press conference, this season is playoffs or bust.

Nobody in the higher-ups of the Magic franchise will probably say more than their desire for the team to level up. But we all know there is only one place to level up after you were the last team in the Eastern Conference eliminated from postseason contention.

The Magic should have playoff ambitions and postseason expectations this season no matter what they end up doing this offseason.

The funny thing is, the Magic have actually had a really bad record in anniversary seasons.

Their 10th anniversary season was cut short by the 1999 lockout and was a miserable season for everyone. The Magic tied for the best record in the Eastern Conference but lost in the first round to an upstart Philadelphia 76ers team. The Magic broke apart and started a rebuild the next year, washing away all vestiges of the 1995 Finals team.

The 15th anniversary season was Tracy McGrady’s final year in Orlando. It was a frustrating season that ended 21-61.

The 20th anniversary season is the only one that ended in success. The Magic reached the NBA Finals that season. So that was worth celebrating.

But the 25th anniversary season was one of the early years of the rebuild. And CEO Alex Martins even said publicly he regretted that the team could not celebrate the founding of the team’s Hall of Fame and that season with a better team — especially knowing Rich DeVos’ health situation at the time.

The 30th anniversary season was something worth celebrating with the team’s return to the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

Anniversary seasons have not exactly been lucky.

But this season does seem like it will not just be a celebration of the team’s past, but a real vision of the team’s future. And that is what everyone is looking forward to as the Magic establish their next era and their future.

Next. Who are the Orlando Magic's new biggest rivals?. dark

Everyone should expect the playoffs and the postseason this season. And that makes this year all the more exciting to wait for.