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There are several references to 'magic' in basketball. The Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida, established in 1989. The team competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The Orlando Magic logo features a basketball surrounded by stars, with the wordmark Magic and a star replacing the letter A. The Orlando Magic franchise has played in the NBA playoffs 17 times in 35 seasons and has reached the NBA Finals twice, in 1995 and 2009. Another reference to 'magic' in basketball is Magic Johnson, a renowned NBA player known for his court vision, passing skills, and leadership. Johnson earned numerous accolades throughout his career, including three NBA Most Valuable Player Awards and three NBA Finals MVPs. Additionally, the term magic is sometimes used to describe exceptional basketball skills or performances that seem to defy logic or exceed expectations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Orlando Magic |
| Location | Orlando, Florida |
| League | National Basketball Association (NBA) |
| Division | Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference |
| Year Established | 1989 |
| Notable Players | Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Dwight Howard |
| Playoff Appearances | 17 appearances in 35 seasons |
| NBA Finals Appearances | 2 (1995, 2009) |
| Home Arena | Kia Center |
| Logo Description | A basketball crowded by stars with the word "Magic" and a star replacing the letter "A" |
| Primary Color | Black |
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What You'll Learn
Orlando Magic, an American basketball team
The Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The team was established in 1989 as an expansion franchise and competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference.
The Orlando Magic have had notable NBA stars such as Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, and Dwight Howard play for the club throughout its history. As of 2024, the franchise has played in the NBA playoffs 17 times in 35 seasons and twice went to the NBA Finals, in 1995 and 2009, losing to the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers, respectively.
The team's logo features a basketball surrounded by stars, with the wordmark "Magic" and a star replacing the letter "A". The logo was created in collaboration with Walt Disney World artists and after receiving over 5000 suggestions from across the country. The primary colour of the logo is black, a colour shared by 16 other NBA teams.
In recent years, the Orlando Magic have undergone several changes, including the firing of general manager Rob Hennigan in 2017 and the promotion of Anthony Parker to general manager in 2023. The team has also made several trades and draft picks, including acquiring C.J. Wilcox from the Clippers in 2017 and selecting Anthony Black from the University of Arkansas with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
The Orlando Magic is a well-known and established NBA team with a rich history and a dedicated following. The team has seen success throughout the years and continues to compete in the Eastern Conference.
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Magic Johnson, a basketball player
Earvin "Magic" Johnson was a revolutionary basketball player. At 6 feet 9 inches tall, he was the tallest point guard in NBA history when he entered the league. Johnson played for the Los Angeles Lakers throughout his 13-year NBA career, winning five championships and three MVP awards. He was a 12-time All-Star and a nine-time member of the All-NBA First Team. Known for his court vision, passing abilities, and leadership, Johnson was one of the most dominant players of his era.
Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" at 15 when he recorded a triple-double of 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists as a sophomore at Everett High School. He led Everett to a 27-1 win-loss record in his final high school season, averaging 28.8 points and 16.8 rebounds per game. Johnson dedicated Everett's state championship victory to his best friend Reggie Chastine, who had been killed in a car accident the previous summer.
After leaving the NBA in 1991, Johnson formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team that travelled around the world playing exhibition games. The team included former NBA and college players and played games in Australia, Israel, South America, Europe, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States. Johnson also toured Asia, Australia, and New Zealand with a basketball team of former college and NBA players in 1994. During his retirement, Johnson has written a book on safe sex, run several businesses, and worked for NBC as a commentator. He also created "A Midsummer Night's Magic", a yearly charity event that included a celebrity basketball game and a black-tie dinner.
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![Magic Johnson (Basketball Card) 1990-91 NBA Hoops - [Base] #157](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91LNUFOs0uL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is an American retired professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons. Johnson is often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time and is considered to be one of the greatest players in NBA history. During his career, he won five NBA championships, three NBA Finals MVPs, three NBA MVP Awards, and twelve All-Star games, among other accolades.
After abruptly retiring from the NBA in 1991 due to an HIV diagnosis, Johnson formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team that travelled around the world playing exhibition games. This team was comprised of former college and NBA players, including John Long, Reggie Theus, and George Gervin. Johnson ensured that his team only included dedicated players who would work hard and stay in shape, and they remained undefeated against college and international squads, CBA teams, and more.
The Magic Johnson All-Stars played in various locations, including Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Alaska. Johnson's decision to form this team allowed him to continue entertaining fans around the world and growing his name abroad. The team's success and Johnson's influence helped revive the concept of barnstorming, which had declined by the late 1980s.
In addition to his achievements with the Magic Johnson All-Stars, Johnson also served as a coach for the Lakers and pursued various business ventures, including owning movie theatres and becoming a part-owner of the Lakers in 1994.
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Magic Johnson's career achievements
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is an American retired professional basketball player. Johnson played as a point guard, shooting guard, and power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers for 13 seasons. Johnson is widely considered to be the greatest point guard of all time and one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Johnson's career achievements include five NBA championships, three NBA Finals MVPs, three NBA MVP Awards, nine NBA Finals appearances, twelve All-Star Game selections, two All-Star MVP Awards, and ten All-NBA First and Second Team nominations. Johnson led the league in regular-season assists four times and steals twice. He is the NBA's all-time leader in average assists per game, at 11.2. Johnson also holds the All-Star Game single-game record for assists (22) and the All-Star Game record for career assists (127). Johnson is one of only two players in NBA history to set 20+ assists in at least 30 games, achieving this feat 32 times. Johnson is also the only player in NBA history to average at least 20 PPG and 12 APG in two seasons. Johnson shares the single-game playoff record for most free throws made in one half (19) and holds the records for most career playoff assists and most career playoff triple-doubles.
In addition to his NBA achievements, Johnson was a member of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team ("The Dream Team"), which won the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona. Johnson is one of only eight players in the history of basketball to achieve the Triple Crown, winning an NCAA championship, NBA championship, and Olympic gold medal. Johnson was honoured as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame twice, in 2002 and 2010. Johnson has also received numerous awards outside of basketball, including a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Album in 1993 and the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
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Osceola Magic, a basketball team
Osceola Magic is a G League basketball team based in Osceola Heritage Park, Florida. They are affiliated with the NBA team Orlando Magic, who announced their intentions to move their G League affiliate to Osceola in April 2023. This move was to ensure their G League team was closer to Orlando.
The Osceola Magic play their home games at Silver Spurs Arena. The team is part of the NBA's G League Development Program, which aims to develop players, coaches, referees, and front-office staff. The G League is the NBA's official minor league, serving as a critical pipeline for players to develop and showcase their skills for NBA teams.
The Orlando Magic, the parent club of Osceola Magic, have a rich history in the NBA. Established in 1989, the franchise has featured notable NBA stars such as Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, and Dwight Howard. They have made the NBA playoffs 17 times in 35 seasons and reached the NBA Finals in 1995 and 2009.
The Osceola Magic are an integral part of the Orlando Magic's player development system, providing an opportunity for young players to gain experience and refine their skills. The team also serves as a testing ground for coaching and strategic experiments, with a focus on player development and winning basketball games.
Osceola Magic's role within the Orlando Magic's organization is crucial for the parent club's success, allowing them to scout and develop talent, as well as providing a pathway for players to reach the NBA level.
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Frequently asked questions
The Orlando Magic is an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The team competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference.
The Orlando Magic basketball team was established in 1989 as an expansion franchise.
Notable NBA stars such as Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, and Dwight Howard have played for the Orlando Magic throughout its history.
The Orlando Magic has played in the NBA playoffs 17 times in 35 seasons and reached the NBA Finals twice, in 1995 and 2009. They also had a successful season in 1995-96, finishing with a 60-22 record.
The name "Magic" was chosen following discussions with Walt Disney World artists and over 5,000 suggestions sent from across the country. The logo features a basketball surrounded by stars, with the word "Magic" and a star replacing the letter "A".
