Something’s brewing in Orlando
August 12, 2000
In an incredibly productive offseason, the Orlando Magic sign Spurs superstar Tim Duncan nine days after the team signed-and-traded for Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill. The move signed Duncan for a max contract over 7 years. With the signing of Tim Duncan, the Magic are expected to do extremely well next season, and with the dysfunction in the Lakers, the Blazers not having a real superstar, the Mavericks being too young, and the 76ers shopping star Allen Iverson, the Magic are looking like a championship contender.
The Magic "Big 3" on their previous teams
From: The Formation of a Big 3; How the Magic formed a dynasty
During that offseason, Duncan went to dinner with Grant Hill, Magic coach Doc Rivers was trying to win Duncan over. Duncan’s wife asked if his family could go on team plane rides to games. Rivers paused for a second. Normally, it wasn’t allowed. However, Rivers was afraid this could be a deal breaker, and decided it would be best to just make it team policy right then and there. He responded “Yes”. At that point, Duncan was sold on the move. He signed days later, and the Magic looked like a future dynasty.
“The Magic just signed Duncan”
“Fuck! Can any fucking team just build a team just build a championship team without twenty superstars joining them! We need to get some fucking superstars!”
-Conversation between Paul Allen and a member of the Portland TrailBlazers management