Orlando Magic

Note: The Magic have hired former Magic coach Brian Hill to be head coach again..
. 6--The Fans. ** Owner. The Magic will pick 11th in the 2005 NBA Draft. * Manager. In addition, the Magic announced the following day that Brian Hill, the coach who led the Magic to the NBA Finals under O'Neal and Hardaway, would return as head coach. After Bell's hiring, Schaefer was moved back to the bench coach position.

On May 23, however, the Magic's plans were disrupted by the abrupt resignation of General Manager and Chief Operating Officer John Weisbrod. Schaefer would end up having a 5-12 record in 17 games managed. However, the promise for the future is great, as the club hopes to build around Howard, Hill, Francis, and Nelson and become a playoff contender with a new coach. The Royals then named bench coach Bob Schaefer interim manager up until May 31, 2005, the day the Royals announced that Buddy Bell would manage for the Royals. In the end, the Magic ended a few games out of the playoffs. After a disappointing start for the second straight season, Tony Peńa resigned May 10, 2005 as manager after a 8-25 record. Their playoff push was hampered by injuries in the last quarter of the season: a season-ending broken wrist for sixth man Hedo Turkoglu, a shin injury to Grant Hill, a rib cage injury to Nelson, and a three-game suspension to Francis for allegedly kicking a photographer. In 2005, the Royals continued their youth movement, with six of their starting position players, three of their five starting pitchers, and their setup man and closer all under age 30 and one of the smallest payrolls in the major leagues.

The Magic finished the season with a 36-46 record, disappointing after a strong start. Picked by many to win their division in 2004 after faring surprisingly well in the free agent market, the Royals got off to a disappointing start and by late June were in rebuilding mode, releasing veteran reliever Curt Leskanic before financial incentives kicked in and trading veteran reliever Jason Grimsley and superstar center fielder Carlos Beltrán for prospects, all within a week of each other. Howard was an unanimous selection. In 2003, manager Tony Peńa, in his first full season with the club, guided the Royals to their first winning record since the strike-shortened 1994 season. Hill was chosen an All-Star starter by NBA fans, and Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson were named to the All-Rookie first and second teams, respectfully. Escalating salaries made it difficult for the Royals to keep their young stars, and the small-market club usually chose to trade players such as Kevin Appier, Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye, for whatever they could get rather than lose them to free agency. Hill also returned and averaged 19 points a game. The 1993 death of Ewing Kauffman left the franchise without permanent ownership until Wal-Mart executive David Glass purchased the team for $96 million in 2000.

In addition, Nelson, after a slow start, developed into a talented player, taking over the starting point guard position. Most of the team's highlights centered around the end of Brett's career, such as his third and final batting title in 1990, which made him the first player to win batting titles in three different decades, and Brett's 3,000th hit. Howard was a consistant rebounder and scorer, becoming the first rookie to start and play all 82 games in a season. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Royals developed young stars such as Bo Jackson and Kevin Seitzer and made some free-agent acquisitions but always fell short of their early success. However, Howard showed great promise, becoming one of the few players to average a double-double. Howser's #10 soon became the first number that the Royals ever retired. However, led by the erratic play of Francis, the Magic also lost to league bottom-feeders, such as the expansion Charlotte Bobcats and the Atlanta Hawks. But sadly on June 17, 1987, Dick Howser passed away after a year long battle with brain cancer.

Throughout the season, bolstered by Hill's return, the Magic played spectacularly, defeating top NBA teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons. The Royals wound up finishing only two games behind the eventual World Champion Minnesota Twins in the Western Division. The Magic are currently in a search for a new head coach. The Royals won 83 out of 162 games (a seven win improvement from 1986). Later on, Christie claimed he had bone spurs and was placed on the injured list after playing only a few games for the Magic. Near the end of the season, with a playoff-push faltering, Weisbrod fired Davis and promoted Chris Jent to become interim head coach. 1987 proved to be a rather bittersweet season for the Royals. Christie, because of his emotional ties to the Kings, at first refused to play for the Magic. Louis Cardinals in the so-called I-70 Series in seven games.

First, Weisbrod traded Mobley for Doug Christie from the Sacramento Kings. Relying again on Brett's bat and the young pitching of Bret Saberhagen, Mark Gubicza and Danny Jackson, the Royals won their fifth division championship in 1984 (although they were swept by the eventual World Champion Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series) and went all the way to the World Series again in 1985 under manager Dick Howser, beating the cross-state St. After a promising 13-6 start, the Magic began to fall apart. The youth movement paid off more quickly than expected. Nelson, who most scouts speculated to be a top-10 pick, fell to the 20th pick, and the Magic traded a future first-round draft pick to the Denver Nuggets for Nelson. In response to the scandal, owner Ewing Kauffman founded the Ewing Marion Kauffman foundation to give back to the community, allowed Martin to depart via free agency and traded Aikens, retaining only Wilson's services. With the number one draft pick, the Magic selected high-school phenom Dwight Howard and traded for point guard Jameer Nelson. The four were charged in October 1983, pleaded guilty, spent three months in prison (becoming the first active players in sports history to serve a prison sentence) and were suspended by commissioner Bowie Kuhn for the entire 1984 season. The four appealed and were permitted to return on May 15.

In addition, the Magic also acquired center Tony Battie and free agent Hedo Turkoglu. Leadoff hitter and center fielder Willie Wilson, power-hitting first baseman Willie Aikens, power-hitting outfielder Jerry Martin, and starting pitcher Vida Blue, who had been released on August 5, were charged with attempting to purchase cocaine. The Magic traded McGrady to the Houston Rockets for Steve Francis, Kelvin Cato, and Cuttino Mobley. In 1983, the Royals were headed for a second-place finish behind the Chicago White Sox when they were rocked by a drug scandal. McGrady, discontent with the Magic, wished to move on; Weisbrod accused McGrady of "slacking off" and not attending practices (McGrady later admitted that he did not give 100% percent during the 2003-2004 season). That same year, Brett flirted with a .400 batting average and won his second batting title. The most significant trade was that of Tracy McGrady. The Royals (led by manager Jim Frey) made their first World Series appearance in 1980, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.

Though he kept Davis at coach, he shook up the player roster, only keeping a few of the players from last season. The Royals quickly became successful, winning three straight division championships from 1976 to 1978 under manager Whitey Herzog. In the offseason, Weisbrod dismantled the team. The stadium, which featured deep outfield walls and artificial turf, gave future stars such as George Brett and Frank White their first break as many of Kansas City's veteran players had difficulty playing on turf. In addition, general manager Gabriel was replaced by John Weisbrod. In 1973, the Royals moved from Kansas City Municipal Stadium to brand-new Royals Stadium (now Kauffman Stadium). In the middle of the 19-game losing streak, coach Doc Rivers was fired, and assistant Johnny Davis was promoted. In 1971, the Royals had their first winning season, with manager Bob Lemon guiding them to a second-place finish.

The Magic finished with a disappointing 21-61 record, the worst in the NBA. Early Royals stars included 1969 Rookie of the Year Lou Piniella, Amos Otis, Paul Splittorff, Cookie Rojas and Hal McRae. After winning its first game, the Magic lost 19 consecutive games, setting a franchise record. The Kansas City Royals were purchased as an expansion franchise by pharmaceutical magnate Ewing Kauffman in 1968 and played their first season the following year. Even with the acquisition of veterans Tyronn Lue and Juwan Howard, the Magic struggled early. They are in the Central Division of the American League. The Magic's 15th season in 2003-2004 proved to be one of its toughest ever. The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Despite still not having Hill due to injury, the Magic entered the playoffs for the third straight year. However, after taking a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven first round series, the Magic faltered and fell to the Detroit Pistons 4-3 in a heartbreaker. Arizona Royals
Idaho Falls Chukars. In 2002-2003, with the acquisition of Gordon Giricek and Drew Gooden, T-Mac once again led the Magic to a 42-40 record. High Desert Mavericks
Burlington Bees. However, the Magic were defeated 3-1 by the Charlotte Hornets (the team has since relocated, becoming the New Orleans Hornets). Wichita Wranglers. T-Mac, combined with Armstrong, Miller, and 3-point sharpshooter Pat Garrity, formed the core of the team that season. Omaha Royals.

Led once again by McGrady, nicknamed "T-Mac", Orlando once again posted a winning record, 44-38, in the 2001-2002 season. However, Hill was still severely limited by his ankle injury and did not play for the vast majority of the season. American League
. Miller won the Rookie of the Year that season. Pitching saves Jeff Montgomery and Dan Quisenberry, 45 (1993 and 1983). With the addition of Mike Miller from the draft, the Magic compiled a 43-39 record, including a nine-game winning streak, that season, and entered the playoffs once again. Pitching ERA: Roger Nelson, 2.08 (1972). However, Hill was limited to 4 games because of an ankle injury. McGrady blossomed into a star during this season, becoming one of the NBA's top scorers. Pitching strikeouts: Dennis Leonard, 244 (1977).

Despite Duncan opting to remain with the San Antonio Spurs, the Magic gained Hill, a perenial All-Star, and McGrady. Pitching wins: Bret Saberhagen, 23 (1989). In the following offseason, Gabriel, with millions of cleared salary cap space, attempted to lure three of the NBA's most prized free agents: Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, and Tracy McGrady. Strikeouts: Bo Jackson, 172 (1989). This year was characterized by the slogan "Heart and Hustle", as the team was known for its hard-working style. Walks: John Mayberry, 122 (1973). At the end of the season Rivers was named Coach of the Year by the NBA. Hitting streak: George Brett, 30 games (1980).

With a team with virtually no name players and little experience, Rivers and Armstrong, the team captain, led the Magic to a 41-41 record, barely out of the playoffs. Stolen bases: Willie Wilson, 83 (1979). Gabriel dismantled the previous team and acquired multiple future first round draft picks. Extra-Base Hits: Hal McRae, 86 (1977). In 1999, the Magic, under new General Manager John Gabriel, who was named Executive of the Year, acquired rookie-coach Doc Rivers. Triples: Willie Wilson, 21 (1985). The 76ers, led by Allen Iverson, upset the Magic 3-1 in the first round. Doubles: Hal McRae, 54 (1977).

In the playoffs, though, the Magic were seeded number 3 because of tiebreakers and faced the Philadelphia 76ers. Singles: Willie Wilson, 184 (1980). In addition, Orlando also acquired brothers Dominique and Gerald Wilkins, who were past their primes but were still regarded as NBA greats. Hits: Willie Wilson, 230 (1980). Armstrong again led the team emotionally, winning the NBA's Sixth-Man and Most Improved Player awards. Runs: Johnny Damon, 136 (2000). In 1998-1999, with the acquisition of Matt Harping and Michael Doleac and a healthy Hardaway and Anderson, the Magic tied for the Eastern Conference's best record in the lockout-shortened season, 33-17. Runs batted in: Mike Sweeney, 144 (2000).

Anderson, combined with newly acquired free agent Bo Outlaw, led the team to a respectable 41-41 record, just out of reach of the NBA playoffs. In addition, Rony Seikaly was traded before the season started to the New Jersey Nets for three role players and a future draft pick. Home runs: Steve Balboni, 36 (1985). However, the season was hampered by injuries, as Hardaway sat out the majority of the season . Batting average: George Brett, .390 (1980). In addition, Hall of Famer Julius Erving joined the Magic's front office, giving Orlando immense hope for a successful season. 42 Jackie Robinson (retired throughout baseball). The Magic hired Chuck Daly to be head coach for the 1997-1998 season. 20 Frank White.

In the middle of the season, though, urged by player discontent, management fired coach Brian Hill and named Richie Adubato as interim coach for the rest of the season. 10 Dick Howser. In the playoffs, the Magic stunned the favorites Miami Heat in the first round 3-2 after losing the first two games.   5 George Brett. However, the Magic still mananged to compile a 45-37 record, led by Hardaway, Darrell Armstrong, the team's emotional leader, and newly-acquired free agent Rony Seikaly. 61 Rubén Rodríguez (bullpen catcher). In the offseason, in a huge blow to the Magic franchise, O'Neal left as a free agent to the Los Angeles Lakers. 17 Luis Silverio (third base).

The combination of Jordan and rebounder Dennis Rodman was too much for the Magic, and Orlando was swept 4-0 in the Eastern Conference finals. 55 Guy Hansen (pitching). In the playoffs, after the Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando met the Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals. 18 Joe Jones (first base). However, the Magic were seeded number two, behind the amazing 72-10 record the Chicago Bulls accumulated under Michael Jordan. 49 Brian Poldberg (bullpen). In the 1995-1996 season, the Magic again dominated the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division with a 60-22 record, led by O'Neal and Hardaway. 26 Andre David (hitting).

The Houston Rockets, though, ended Orlando's dream of a championship by sweeping Orlando 4-0 in the Fianls to take the crown. 44 Bob Schaefer (bench/infield instructor). In the playoffs, the Magic defeated the Boston Celtics, Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls, and the Indiana Pacers, advancing to the NBA Finals. Coaches