Photo by Fernando Medina/Getty Images
Via Orlando Magic press release:
In continuation of the Orlando Magic’s 25th anniversary season-long celebration the team will honor former Magic great and four-time NBA All-Star, Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, at the Magic’s February 21 matchup vs. the New York Knicks, tip-off set for 7 p.m. The night will feature a center court presentation at the end of the first quarter. Hardaway will join FOX Sports Florida’s broadcasts including Magic Live pregame show with hosts Paul Kennedy and Nick Anderson and join broadcasters David Steele and Jeff Turner for a portion of the game broadcast. He will also be featured on Magic Drive Time radio show with host Dante Marchitelli pregame at 5:30 p.m. on 740 The Game and at halftime on ESPN 580 Orlando. In addition, the first 2,500 fans will receive a collectible 8×10 photo featuring Hardaway and E’Twaun Moore. Hardaway will be available to the media at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 in the Amway Center interview room.
“Legends Nights” is an on-going program which will honor former players/legends throughout the Magic’s Silver Season. Past honorees include Tracy McGrady, Nick Anderson, Pat Williams, Jimmy Hewitt, Dennis Scott, Pat Garrity, Jeff Turner, Sam Vincent and John Gabriel. In addition to the Magic’s “Legends Nights,” the 2013-14 season will feature the Silver Ticket Sweepstakes and Scratch Off Promotion, special appearances, game entertainment and other events throughout the season.
Hardaway was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1993 NBA Draft (third pick overall), but was traded along with three future first-round picks to the Magic for the rights to first overall pick Chris Webber. He played six seasons for Orlando from 1993-1999 averaging 19.0 ppg., 6.3 apg. 4.7 rpg. and 1.9 spg. in 37.2 mpg. The four-time NBA All-Star (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998) was twice selected to the All-NBA First Team (1995, 1996). Hardaway ranks on the Magic’s all-time franchise list in points (7,018, seventh), steals (718, third), assists (2,343, fourth), blocked shots (191, ninth), rebounds (1,752, ninth), field goals made (2,542, sixth) and minutes played (13,721, seventh).
Feb 07
The battle for .500
Commentary
by Ryan Drawdy
at 2:12 pmPhoto by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
The Magic have a chance to be winners this year. Just not in the usual sense. Playoffs? Not likely. Championship? Only if the starters from all other teams opt for swift, unexplainable early retirements. Or if they split and start their own exclusive pro league without inviting Orlando or Milwaukee.
No, the young Orlando roster can win in a different way that still carries plenty of honor and pride with it. They can keep their franchise win-loss record above .500 this season (993-978).
After Wednesday’s win over Detroit, it will only take eight victories to keep the franchise record from dipping below that equidistant mark, nine to stay above it. Only one other franchise has a closer number difference between its total wins and losses. I’ll get to that in a minute.
Part of the close gap has to do with the youth of the franchise. There are others with a win percentage closer to .500, but the Magic are actually closer because they have played fewer total games.
You might call them a “middle team.” Located in the middle of the state. Great success balanced with awful seasons. And their franchise win percentage is almost exactly in the middle compared to the rest of the league: 15th out of 30 teams. Stuff the Magic Dragon better watch his back. A hobbit is sounding like the perfect mascot right about now.
Despite the middling data, the Magic up to this point have been able to call themselves a winning franchise. That’s a special honor. It’s the result of a body of successful work that not every team can lay claim to. If there is any true, tangible goal for this year’s team during the actual season, defending the winning tradition is a worthy one.
As I mentioned, there is one team even closer in total win/loss numbers; the Knicks have only 10 more losses than wins overall (2634-2644). To reach .500 this season, they’ll need quite the resurgent turnaround. A 22-11 finish would put them above the mark. They haven’t looked like a team consistent enough for that, but they have the talent for it.
For the Magic, there is enough youth and inconsistent talent present to fall short of even eight more wins. So the challenge is twofold: finish above .500 and win the “Battle of the Middle Dwellers.”
Now there are two more storylines to follow. The Magic can be winners this year, even with a losing record, if they defend the franchise. Fans can also pretend the team has made it to the finals this years, against the Knicks. It’s a sad substitute, but you have to kindle the flames of passion for your team somehow, right? So we’ll track this epic battle and see who lands on the better side of history.
Fortunately for Orlando, they’re getting a pretty generous handicap.
Tags: Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic
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