Orlando Magic Information
The Orlando Magic began play in the NBA in 1989. They made the playoffs for the first time in the 1993-94 season and have since won four division titles (1995, 1996,2008, and 2009). In their 2008 run, they finished with a 52-30 record and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, only to be defeated by the Detroit Pistons.
In 2009, Orlando ran into some trouble early on in the season. All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson went down with a shoulder injury. From there it was questionable how Orlando would finish out the season. To the surprise of many, the Magic finished with a 59-23 record, earning the #1 rank in the Southeast division and 2nd in the Eastern Conference to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Behind Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis, the Magic pulled off series victories against Philadelphia, Boston, and Cleveland. After making it by these tough opponents, they met up with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Orlando's magic had run out as the Lakers sent them packing in five games.
The 2010 Orlando squad posted another successful regular season campaign, but couldn't advance past the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Just before the turn of the New Year, the Magic made a blockbuster trade deal with the Phoenix Suns and the Washington Wizards. They sent Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat and Mickeal Pietrus to Phoenix for Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark. Rashard Lewis was traded to Washington for the 3 time All-Star Gilbert Arenas. That season, they placed second in the division at 52-30, but fell to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs.
This season, the Magic are second behind the Miami Heat in their division. They are in good position to finish off the season strong and once again make it into the playoffs.
Photo by Flickr user rmtip21
