Despite its relatively young age, the Orlando Magic basketball team, speaking at the NBA East Conference, is known to many fans of the popular game. At one time, such stars as Shaquille O'Neill, Dwight Howard, Vince Carter and Grant Hill played for her.
Club history
In 1989, as a result of an increase in the number of NBA clubs, Orlando Magic received the right to take part in the most prestigious basketball tournament in America. But the history of the team began a little earlier.
In 1985, the idea came up to create a professional basketball club in Orlando. To do this, businessman Jimmy Hewitt, along with the mayor of the city, Bill Frederick, pledged 100 thousand dollars to get the right to participate in the competition.
At the same time, the local press instituted a prize for the best name for the future club. Of the more than 4 thousand options, the word Magic was chosen - "Magic".
In 1986, the club’s first official name was Orlando Magic. After a season of fans, another wonderful news awaited: as a result of the expansion of the league, the team received the right to participate in games under the auspices of the NBA.
On November 4, 1989, the debut game for Orlando Magic took place. In the fully filled home arena, they received the Nets from New Jersey and failed to win, losing 111: 106. But two days later, having beaten the New York Knicks away, the club won the first historical victory.
Over the next 21 seasons, the team went to the playoffs of the conference 12 times, and in 2008-09 they even managed to reach the NBA finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Symbols of the team
As you know, any NBA team has its own symbolism: emblem, uniform and mascot. During its existence, the Magic has changed the logo three times. Now it is a blue basketball, flying under the name of the club.
The traditional colors of the form also changed 5 times. Home set - white with blue bordering on T-shirts. The exit form is made in blue or blue. On the front there is Magic inscription on home shirts, while Orlando on guest shirts. The design of the form has not changed since 2005.
Since its founding, the Orlando Magic official mascot has been a green dragon named Staff, who is also a slam dunk coach for the club's support team.
Legends "Magic"
Basketball club "Orlando Magic" has always been famous for the fact that it opened new talented players. In 1992, a little-known centerpiece from Louisiana, Shaquille O'Neal, who subsequently became a world-class legend, was selected in a draft. The number "32", under which he played, has since not been issued to any player. O'Neill played for the “Magic” four seasons, after which he moved to the “Los Angeles Lakers”, which included several times became the champion of the NBA.
In 2000, a new star was lit in Orlando - Tracy McGrady. With his help, the team made its way into the playoff round for three seasons in a row, and the basketball player himself twice participated in the match of all NBA stars.
After 4 years, the schoolchild Dwight Howard, who was destined to become the new leader of the team , was chosen at the Orlando Magic draft. In one of the games, the rising star managed to set a personal record - 28 points and 26 rebounds.