Most similar to 1995-96: An encouraging match for the Magic. The '96 Magic was the last Orlando...

Most similar to 1995-96: An encouraging match for the Magic. The '96 Magic was the last Orlando team with Shaquille O'Neal, featuring a classic starting five of O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson, Dennis Scott and Horace Grant [....] The '96 group won 60 games, while this year's Magic are on pace to win 63. [....] In the 1996 playoffs, the Magic were dispatched in four games in the East finals by the Bulls' team that won 72 games. The '96 Magic were great at the wrong time and, when you think about it, the same thing could happen to this year's Magic.

Bradford Doolittle of Basketball Prospectus

over 3 years ago Evan Dunlap 1 comment 0 recs |

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Such A True Statement

… in any “normal” year, that ’96 Magic team could very well have won the Title. But alas, we faced a legendary team in the 72-win Bulls.

Same thing this year, though … the circumstances are a bit different. I don’t think this Magic team can win a Title, even if you were to take out the Cavs & Celtics from the equation. Do I think the Magic could win a 7-game series against the Lakers, for example? No, I don’t … but any other West team I could see the Magic take on with confidence they could win the series.

If there’s one thing that we do have on our side, it’s … time. The Magic’s moment will come soon enough, maybe not this year though, unfortunately.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Dec 21, 2008 8:39 PM EST reply actions