The Sandspur

Issue date: 4/14/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jacob Langston AND THE DUNK: The Magic's Dwight Howard continues to contribute his leadership and talent to the franchise.

Ever since Shaquille O'neal left Orlando in 1996, the Magic seem like a franchise that cannot do anything right. They haven't won a playoff series since then. Almost every draft pick( Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson being the key exceptions) have never lived up to expectations. Fran Vazquez walked out on them over the summer. However, since the Orlando Magic traded Steve Francis to the New York Knicks for Penny Hardaway and Trevor Ariza, they have lived up to their potential that was expected from them at the beginning of the season. The trade seemed like a joke, acquiring Hardaway's $16 million contract and an unproven high schooler who had struggled to accommodate himself to the NBA game. However, the Magic have gotten the best of both worlds. Ariza, who often fell out of favor with Knicks coach Larry Brown, has showed steady improvement since moving down to Orlando. The Magic waived Hardaway, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Ever since the trade, the Magic have gone 16-11, including wins over three of the league's top five teams, the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat, all of which came in a span of nine days. The Magic have gone from a team that was supposed to play out the rest of a long 82 game season, to a team that has an outside shot at a playoff spot. They are currently three games back of the eighth spot with one week to go in the season, chasing the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls. Even if they do not get into the playoffs, the Magic appear to be one of the franchises that have a good future. After Grant Hill's contract comes off the book next season, the Magic will have the most cap room out of any team in the NBA. The summer of 2007's free agent is strong and includes Antawn Jamison, Mike Bibby, Rashard Dirk Nowitzki, Lebron James and Chauncey Billups. Nowitzki, James and Billups are in the race for the MVP this season.

The Magic know a little bit of having a great future. In the summer of 2000, they signed Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill. Hill, who averaged 26 points per game with the Detroit Pistons over four seasons was supposed to be the leader, and McGrady was supposed to be his sidekick. However, it was all for not as Hill played only 43 games in three seasons. Meanwhile, McGrady used the next three seasons as his coming out party turning himself into one of the best players in the NBA. But the frustrations mounted for the franchise as they were ousted in the first round for three straight years, and McGrady voiced his frustrations about being a "one-man team." In 2003-2004, it all fell apart for the Magic, as they went 21-61, fired their coach, GM and traded McGrady to the Rockets for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato.

The difference this time around is that the Magic's two cornerstones, Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson are young, healthy and they want to be here. Howard is second in the league in rebounding this season, and will be one of the NBA's best players in the future. Nelson, who was supposed to be too short for the NBA, has been a present surprise for the Magic averaging 14 points and five assists this season. Hedo Turkoglu, Tony Battie and Deshawn Stevenson are the key role players that have enjoyed pleasant seasons. Coach Brian Hill, who is in his second stint with the Magic, is optimistic for whatever happens, saying that he can't wait to go to training camp with this team next season. If they do not make the playoffs, the Magic can hope for a good spot in the lottery, where they could draft a prospect that will help them defensively and bring more athleticism. It sounds like a remedy for a franchise that has struggled to right their wrongs lately.

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