Orlando Magic Playoff History (1989-2008)

Orlando Magic Playoffs: 1989-1992

The Orlando Magic began life in the NBA as an expansion team in 1989 becoming the only professional sports team in Orlando’s history. An expansion draft was held to build the Orlando Magic’s roster. The Orlando Magic had to split picks with fellow expansion team the Minnesota Timberwolves deluding the talent available to both teams. The only player of note snagged in the expansion draft was point guard Scott Skiles who would play a key sixth man role. In the 1989 NBA draft the Orlando Magic tabbed Illinois SG/SF Nick Anderson. After starting out an expansion-team best 7-7, the hodgepodge Orlando Magic tanked to an 18-64 record despite valiant individual efforts.

The Orlando Magic hit draft gold in the 1990 draft with Georgia Tech small forward Dennis Scott. Scott was a 3-point expert and brought a new dimension to the Orlando Magic offense. Dennis Scott, Nick Anderson, and Scott Skiles formed a good base and a potent offense. The Orlando Magic improved in an impressive fashion to 31-51. Injuries to Dennis Scott and Nick Anderson sabotaged the Orlando Magic’s 1991 season, dropping the Orlando Magic to 21-61. Despite another season of missing the playoffs, the one good aspect of the losing season was securing the first pick in the 1992 NBA draft.

Orlando Magic Playoffs: Enter Shaq

With the top pick, the Orlando Magic took the consensus best player in the draft, LSU center Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq dominated the paint his rookie year and was both Rookie of the Year and named to the All-Star Team. With the unstoppable force of Shaquille O’Neal in the center the Orlando Magic finished 41-41 and just narrowly missed the playoffs. A freak occurrence landed the Orlando Magic the first pick in the 1993 Draft. After originally drafting Chris Webber the Orlando Magic traded him for PG Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway and several future draft choices.

The combination of Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway along with new head coach Brian Hill brought success to the Orlando Magic. Shaquille O’Neal grew to be even more of a force and the Orlando Magic secured a 50-32 record and their first playoff appearance in franchise history. Expectations were high for the Orlando Magic but the Orlando Magic eventually were upset in three straight games by the Indiana Pacers.

Orlando Magic Playoffs: 1994-96

The signing of free agent Horace Grant brought not only veteran leadership to the young Orlando Magic but also playoff and championship experience from Horace Grant’s time with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The addition proved key, and the young Orlando Magic ran roughshod over the NBA compiling a 57-25 record and an Eastern Conference title to boot. The Orlando Magic faced little resistance in the 1995 Playoffs with only the Indiana Pacers giving them a challenge. In the NBA Finals after only six years of existence, the dominant young Orlando Magic looked to make even more history in the playoffs. However the far more experienced Houston Rockets shocked the Orlando Magic in a sweep 4-0.

The Orlando Magic entered the 1995-96 season with expectations as the best team in the NBA despite the upset in the 1995 playoffs. The surprise return of Michael Jordan to the Chicago Bulls threw an unexpected roadblock in the way of the Orlando Magic’s reign over the Eastern Conference. The Chicago Bulls put up a record of 72-10 against the Orlando Magic’s 60-22. Both teams ran through the playoffs before meeting in the Eastern Conference Finals. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen faced Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway in a battle between NBA generations. With Dennis Rodman being a rebounding X-factor for the Chicago Bulls, the Orlando Magic were swept once again.

Orlando Magic Playoffs: 1997-2007

Shaquille O’Neal left the Orlando Magic to pursue free-agent dollars and championship gold with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1996 season. The hole left was devastating to the Orlando Magic and Penny Hardaway tried to fill it. Hardaway fought through injury and carried the Orlando Magic to the playoffs once again, but the Orlando Magic were bounced in the first series. The next season, Hardaway suffered a knee injury, and the Orlando Magic fell apart. During the 1997-2007 seasons, the Orlando Magic would make the playoffs six times and were eliminated in the first round each time.

Orlando Magic Playoffs: Redemption

The 2007-08 season saw the Orlando Magic front office make many shrewd moves. The first was to bring in veteran head coach Stan Van Gundy. After that, the Orlando Magic signed free agent SF Rashard Lewis away from the Seattle Supersonics. Rashard Lewis would pair with superstar center Dwight Howard to form a potent force. Third year guard Jameer Nelson and seventh year forward Hedo Turkoglu provide the scoring threats to augment Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis. With the leadership of Coach Van Gundy and an unstoppable presence from the center position in Howard, the Orlando Magic were able to compile a 52-30 record – the team’s best showing since the Shaq days – and their first division title since 1996.

Fans with playoff tickets to the Orlando Magic will get to see Dwight Howard in action – one of the best big men in the NBA lead the team to a playoff victory for the first time since 1996. With the best team in place since the days of Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando Magic fans can’t miss these playoff tickets!