The Orlando Magic’s founding was something of a miracle.
The city of Orlando was a small town known mostly for its theme parks, its yearly golf tournament and bowl games and its orange groves. It was hardly a bustling metropolis in the center of the state. There were boosters who believed in Orlando’s long-term growth, but it was always a long shot — read Pat Williams’ book Making Magic for the full story (a must-read for all Magic fans).
Fast forward 35 years later, the Magic are a thriving franchise with a deep history. Even though the team has yet to win a championship, they have been an incredibly influential franchise in the league’s history.
This seems like the best place to begin our look at Magic history and our celebration of the 35th anniversary season.
The Orlando Magic have had an eventful 35 years in the NBA. Despite never winning a title, they have played a big role in shaping the league while they have existed.
Orlando has been a key part of the telling of the NBA’s story, whether anyone likes it or not. And certainly, the team will continue to be.
Whether that is being the home for several Hall of Fame players — Shaquille O’Neal, Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill with Vince Carter and Dwight Howard surely to come five years after their retirements. There will certainly be plenty more memories to come.
Even without a banner hanging in the rafters at the Amway Center (there is still some time before 2030, by the way), the Magic have had their fingerprints all over the direction of NBA history.
Whether it was O’Neal’s giant presence in the league, being the last team to defeat Michael Jordan in a playoff series, revolutionizing the league’s relationship with the 3-point line or changing the way the salary cap is managed, the Magic have done a lot that has lasted long beyond the teams on the court.
Orlando may be secondary players in the story of NBA legends — whether that is Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant or LeBron James in the end — but it is impossible not to see the franchise’s fingerprints on the league’s history in the past 35 years.
As we begin to celebrate the Magic’s 35th anniversary, here are five ways the Magic have changed the NBA: