Magic's Second Chance
- Thread starter Chocolate Raines
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Chapter 4, Part 1: 1992 NBA Draft
"Having Magic and Shaq on the team together is the big building blocks of turning this franchise around" said GM Pat Williams. "We're entering the 'Magic' era of the NBA." "We will win the championship in a few years, mark my words"
1992-93 Magic season preview next!
Chapter 4, Part 2: 92-93 Magic Preview
Entering the 1992-93 NBA season, the Magic look to be a team on the rise. With Magic Johnson and new draftee Shaquile O'Neal, the Magic look to become a contender in the east. Here's the roster entering the new season:
Players
Pos. No. Name Height Weight From
SG 25
Anderson, Nick 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Illinois
SG 14
Bowie, Anthony 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Oklahoma
PF 33
Catledge, Terry 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) South Alabama
PG 11
Green, Litterial 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Georgia
PG 32
Johnson, Magic 6 ft 9 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Michigan State
SG 2
Kerr, Steve 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Arizona
C 30
Kite, Greg 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) BYU
C 34
O'Neal, Shaquille 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 300 lb (136 kg) LSU
SF 5
Royal, Donald 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Notre Dame
SF 3
Scott, Dennis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 229 lb (104 kg) Georgia Tech
PF 40
Tolbert, Tom 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Arizona
PF 31
Turner, Jeff 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Vanderbilt
PF 8
Williams, Brian 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Arizona
PF 42
Wright, Howard 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Stanford
Head coach
The Magic acquired Steve Kerr from Cleveland and signed Donald Royal during the off-season. The projected starting lineup will be Magic Johnson( PG), Shaquille O'Neal(C), Dennis Scott (SF), Terry Catledge (PF), and Nick Anderson (SG).
Players
Pos. No. Name Height Weight From
SG 25
Anderson, Nick 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) IllinoisSG 14
Bowie, Anthony 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) OklahomaPF 33
Catledge, Terry 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) South AlabamaPG 11
Green, Litterial 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) GeorgiaPG 32
Johnson, Magic 6 ft 9 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Michigan StateSG 2
Kerr, Steve 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) ArizonaC 30
Kite, Greg 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) BYUC 34
O'Neal, Shaquille 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 300 lb (136 kg) LSUSF 5
Royal, Donald 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Notre DameSF 3
Scott, Dennis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 229 lb (104 kg) Georgia TechPF 40
Tolbert, Tom 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) ArizonaPF 31
Turner, Jeff 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) VanderbiltPF 8
Williams, Brian 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) ArizonaPF 42
Wright, Howard 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) StanfordHead coach
The Magic acquired Steve Kerr from Cleveland and signed Donald Royal during the off-season. The projected starting lineup will be Magic Johnson( PG), Shaquille O'Neal(C), Dennis Scott (SF), Terry Catledge (PF), and Nick Anderson (SG).
Chapter 4, Part 3: Game Highlight: Return to the Forum
On February 2, 1993, the Magic played the Lakers at the Forum. This was Johnson's first game at the Forum in almost two years. He felt that it was sort of a homecoming game. The Lakers were nowhere as good as they used to be when Magic and Kareem Abdul-Jabar. Entering this game, they were 22-21. The Magic weren't any better at 20-19. They were fourth in their division behind New York, New Jersey, and Boston, but still had a chance to make the playoffs as they were only a few games behind the Celtics.
Entering the court, Johnson received a standing ovation, but he was here to beat his former team. Magic had a good night scoring 20 points, 7 field goals, and 4 free throws. Shaq however was the star of the game scoring the most points of the night overall. In the end, Johnson beat his old team 110-97. The Knicks and Nets both lost, while the Celtics had the night off, keeping the Magic's playoff hopes alive.
Up next: Magic and Shaq in the All-Star game.
Entering the court, Johnson received a standing ovation, but he was here to beat his former team. Magic had a good night scoring 20 points, 7 field goals, and 4 free throws. Shaq however was the star of the game scoring the most points of the night overall. In the end, Johnson beat his old team 110-97. The Knicks and Nets both lost, while the Celtics had the night off, keeping the Magic's playoff hopes alive.
Up next: Magic and Shaq in the All-Star game.
Chapter 4, Part 4: 1993 All-Star Game
Magic and Shaq travelled to Utah to play in the All-Star game. They would be in the starting lineup with Larry Johnson, Scottie Pippen, and of course, Michael Jordan. Magic would reunite with his former coach, Pat Riley, who was now coaching the Knicks. They were going against a western conference team that included the Spurs' David Robinson, Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley, now with the Suns, and hometown favorites John Stockton and Karl Malone.
The game was very competitive. Getting down to the end of the fourth quarter, the East trailed the West 117-119. With 8.1 seconds to go, Patrick Ewing shot a two pointer, sending the game into overtime. With just about 50 seconds left in OT, Michael Jordan stole the ball, and passed it to Magic who dunked it in making it 130-131. The West called a timeout. When play resumed, Shaq scored making it 132-131. The West called another timeout. David Robinson then scored making it 134-132. Jordan then shot a three-pointer to take the one point lead. Tim Hardaway was then given two free throws, which he missed both. David Robinson then tried and even he missed! Pat Riley called a final timeout with 5 seconds left. Upon resumption, the East just played defense until time ran out. They won 135-134. Neither Magic nor Shaq won MVP as it went to Jordan. Our two heroes will be back next week when the season resumes playing the Spurs.
Chapter 4, Part 5: Game Highlight: Magic vs Nets: Battle for the Playoffs
On April 23, 1993, just before season's end, the Magic travelled to the Meadowlands to play the Nets. Both teams had a chance to be the third and final team in the Atlantic division to make the playoffs. The Knicks and Celtics already were locked in. Orlando's record was 40-39 and Jersey's was 40-40 the Magic would have to win this game and the next against the Hawks to make the playoffs, and the Nets would have to lose their games.
In the first quarter everything was going smoothly. The Nets led 25-23 Suddenly, Magic Johnson passed the ball to Shaq. Shaq jumped up, dunked the ball, and brought the entire structure down with him! He had done something similar in a game against Phoenix earlier, but that one just folded in on itself. This one was entirely broken!
Upon resumption, the game was a great scoring battle with Johnson and O'Neal having great nights,as well as Nick Anderson. In the end, the Magic won 119-116. They will travel back home tomorrow to hopefully beat the Hawks and make the playoffs!
In the first quarter everything was going smoothly. The Nets led 25-23 Suddenly, Magic Johnson passed the ball to Shaq. Shaq jumped up, dunked the ball, and brought the entire structure down with him! He had done something similar in a game against Phoenix earlier, but that one just folded in on itself. This one was entirely broken!
Been reading through the story so far and I liked what you did with it. Magic Johnson was a player that deserved one last shot for the NBA title.
I am wondering though, how will the playoffs go with Magic and Shaq playing on the same team? Hope they will win the title for Orlando.
I am wondering though, how will the playoffs go with Magic and Shaq playing on the same team? Hope they will win the title for Orlando.
Chapter 4, Part Six: We did it!
MAGIC MAKE THE PLAYOFFS
APRIL 26, 1993: The Orlando Magic just made their first NBA playoffs defeating the Atlanta Hawks 104-85. They just beat division rival New Jersey Nets Friday night, who lost their final game against the Detroit Pistons yesterday. They will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round of the playoffs Thursday.
MAGIC MAKE THE PLAYOFFS
APRIL 26, 1993: The Orlando Magic just made their first NBA playoffs defeating the Atlanta Hawks 104-85. They just beat division rival New Jersey Nets Friday night, who lost their final game against the Detroit Pistons yesterday. They will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round of the playoffs Thursday.
Congrats to the Magic! Can't wait to see how it all turns out.
Chapter 4, Part Seven: Battle with the Cavs
It was game 4 against the Cavs and the Magic led 2-1 if they won this game, they would move on. In the locker room before the game, Magic Johnson had a pep talk:
The Magic fought hard against the Cavs, keeping the lead all night and won 117-98. Johnson was the star of the game with the most points, minutes played, and never missed a free throw. The next opponent won't be easy, it's the Bulls. The Magic will have to give it all they got. Will they? We'll see!
That's what I'm thinking too - we could be looking at a Lakers with no Shaq, and a Magic with no Penny. That on top of a Magic Johnson with a few more good years of playing left in him.
Chapter 4, Part Eight: End of the Road
The Magic entered the Eastern Conference Semifinals looking to do well against the Bulls. Well...they were wrong. Shit started going south early when Magic Johnson was injured in Game 1. After dunking a ball, he landed on his left leg weird. Fortunately, he didn't break his leg, it was just sprained, but this threw his chances of playing in the rest of the series in jeopardy. The Magic lost game one 91-84.
Game two was even worse, Shaq became ill before the game and the rest of the Magic were no match as they lost 104-85.
In game three, Shaq came back and looked to possibly make the series 2-1 but the Bulls got the best of them and won 96-90.
The Magic got swept by the Bulls. Johnson tried to come back in Game 4, but he didn't play long before the sprain pain came back. This, the Magic were done. Head Coach Matt Guokas said,
Game two was even worse, Shaq became ill before the game and the rest of the Magic were no match as they lost 104-85.
In game three, Shaq came back and looked to possibly make the series 2-1 but the Bulls got the best of them and won 96-90.
The Magic got swept by the Bulls. Johnson tried to come back in Game 4, but he didn't play long before the sprain pain came back. This, the Magic were done. Head Coach Matt Guokas said,
Chapter 5, Part One: 1993 Draft
The 1993 NBA Draft class was very forgettable except for two players, Chris Webber and Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway. Since they missed the playoffs, the Nets were in the draft lottery. Since they were the best of the non-playoff teams, their chances of getting the first pick were likely to none. Shockingly, they ended up being the first pick. The 76ers would be second, and Golden State third.
With the first pick in the 1993 draft, the New Jersey Nets selected Michigan's Chris Webber, the Sixers selected Shawn Bradley, and the Warriors selected Penny Hardaway from Memphis. The Magic had the sixteenth pick and selected SG Rex Walters of Kansas and then in the second round, center Geert Hammink from LSU. Thus, the Magic were ready to enter the 1993-94 season.
With the first pick in the 1993 draft, the New Jersey Nets selected Michigan's Chris Webber, the Sixers selected Shawn Bradley, and the Warriors selected Penny Hardaway from Memphis. The Magic had the sixteenth pick and selected SG Rex Walters of Kansas and then in the second round, center Geert Hammink from LSU. Thus, the Magic were ready to enter the 1993-94 season.
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Penny in GS in the Nelson scheme is gold. Also, with C-Webb in Jersey, maybe they can trade the paycheck collector Coleman for a good player, and let's hope that Petrovic somehow stays alive.
He is but is in Greece now. Just like OTL, he didn't feel accepted by the league and felt intimidated by his teammates.