30 for 30: This Magic Moment

[Specialkmaster]

Just got done watching this and can't believe I've never seen it before tonight. The early-mid 90s Orlando Magic was my team, like most of us on here I'm sure. Penny was my guy. They drew me in and got me to fall in love with basketball and the NBA.... which is why it was difficult to watch their breakup. It definitely reminded me of Durant and Westbrook in the current NBA but obviously less contentious. Penny even says in the documentary that he was the last one to find out ala Westbrook. The best part to me was when they showed a young Barkley saying "I heard 85% of people in Orlando want Shaq gone... well 85% of you are stupid idiots." lol

Anyways I'm sure a thread or several threads have already been made referencing this documentary, but I wanted to share my thoughts on it. Now it's time to frantically search Ebay and do a little impulse Penny buying!

[Hugh Wahl]

that was a great 30 for 30, I'm a huge Shaq fan started watching him at LSU. I was too young to really remember the Shaq fall out at the time but yeah why would you want him gone just because he wanted to be the highest paid center at the time?

[Scottish Punk]

that was a great 30 for 30, I'm a huge Shaq fan started watching him at LSU. I was too young to really remember the Shaq fall out at the time but yeah why would you want him gone just because he wanted to be the highest paid center at the time?

It was their way of convincing themselves that the team would be ok when he left. I am sure more than a few felt slighted. Shaq does have an enormous ego and couldn't deal with not being the number one guy on the team. Shaq bolted for LA when he could have stayed and really create a great run for the Magic.

[MJGOAT23]

one of the bet 30 for 30's

[dasiegel]

that was a great 30 for 30, I'm a huge Shaq fan started watching him at LSU. I was too young to really remember the Shaq fall out at the time but yeah why would you want him gone just because he wanted to be the highest paid center at the time?

I definitely wasn't into the behind the scenes politics back then but
I remember when he left I was like why in the world would they do that. They are right on the cusp of being dominant. I wonder if Jordan coming back full strength made him think I just have to get out of the East. Maybe he really was that upset about the money or the personality issues, IDK.

one of the bet 30 for 30's

What's funny is I don't think it was, that's how good 30 for 30s are lol

[pennywise]

Now it's time to frantically search Ebay and do a little impulse Penny buying!

There's no need for that!:p

Lol but really, it is a very well put together look at that team. Certainly my favorite team when I was growing up and I too would say that Penny and Shaq played a massive role in my love for basketball. I've grown into an even bigger fan of Penny as time has gone on because it's made me realize just how unique of a player he actually was. When you think of 6'7-6'8 guys at the point that play multiple positions, make impossible passes, play above the rim, handle the ball, space the floor, play lockdown D, etc... There really haven't been many of those players in the history of the league. He was post-Magic, pre-LeBron, and many pegged him as the heir to Michael's throne before his knee problems. People that never saw Penny in his prime will never understand just how special he was.

[gatorboymike]

I was, and still am, pretty sure Shaq was leaving no matter what because of the money issue. That was always the #1 concern. But if there was any hesitation in his mind, that newspaper poll got rid of it.

Not like they would have had a chance at a championship anyway, not with Jordan coming back. And even if Shaq had stayed on the last three years of his original contract, I bet he would have left after that.

[pennywise]

I was, and still am, pretty sure Shaq was leaving no matter what because of the money issue. That was always the #1 concern. But if there was any hesitation in his mind, that newspaper poll got rid of it.

Not like they would have had a chance at a championship anyway, not with Jordan coming back. And even if Shaq had stayed on the last three years of his original contract, I bet he would have left after that.

Well, technically Jordan was already back, and remember the Magic were the last team to beat him in the playoffs. I think had the Magic won a title, Shaq would not have left, or at least not in 96. But who knows. It's all speculation.

Point is they were an excellent team and most definitely had a chance at a title/titles had Shaq stayed. The Finals loss in a sweep to Houston, coupled with Penny's rise, AND Orlando stupidly not paying to keep him, really damaged Shaq's motivation to stay in Orlando. "Had a chance" are the key words there. Obviously no guarantees at a title, especially when MJ was being MJ.

[Scottish Punk]

Well, technically Jordan was already back, and remember the Magic were the last team to beat him in the playoffs. I think had the Magic won a title, Shaq would not have left, or at least not in 96. But who knows. It's all speculation.

Point is they were an excellent team and most definitely had a chance at a title/titles had Shaq stayed. The Finals loss in a sweep to Houston, coupled with Penny's rise, AND Orlando stupidly not paying to keep him, really damaged Shaq's motivation to stay in Orlando. "Had a chance" are the key words there. Obviously no guarantees at a title, especially when MJ was being MJ.

This is how fickle it is when you start talking legacies and what not. Supposed Shaq did stay and they beat Chicago the first year of the second trilogy. Jordan would be 5-0 in the finals instead of 6-0. He would have the same amount of rings as Magic, Kobe, and Duncan. He would still be undefeated, but have less trips to the finals.

Interesting to think of what ifs.

Edit: This is also assuming Shaq leaves for Lakers anyways, but later. So maybe Kobe gets one less ring. Shaq could have had a ring with three different teams.

[Chris P]

I too was drawn into those teams and always loved Penny as he is still my all time favorite player. The parallels to the Thunder are pretty similar...i remember becoming a huge okc fan when that group of guys pushed the Lakers to the limit in their first trip to the playoffs. Like Orlando they peaked too soon and although OKC was relevant longer than Orlando..they still never reached their full potential and the window shut down when KD left.

[MJGOAT23]

This is how fickle it is when you start talking legacies and what not. Supposed Shaq did stay and they beat Chicago the first year of the second trilogy. Jordan would be 5-0 in the finals instead of 6-0. He would have the same amount of rings as Magic, Kobe, and Duncan. He would still be undefeated, but have less trips to the finals.

Interesting to think of what ifs.

Edit: This is also assuming Shaq leaves for Lakers anyways, but later. So maybe Kobe gets one less ring. Shaq could have had a ring with three different teams.

Chicago swept them, with shaq there, in MJ's first full season back, and first of the second 3 -peat.

[Specialkmaster]

Well, technically Jordan was already back, and remember the Magic were the last team to beat him in the playoffs. I think had the Magic won a title, Shaq would not have left, or at least not in 96. But who knows. It's all speculation.

Point is they were an excellent team and most definitely had a chance at a title/titles had Shaq stayed. The Finals loss in a sweep to Houston, coupled with Penny's rise, AND Orlando stupidly not paying to keep him, really damaged Shaq's motivation to stay in Orlando. "Had a chance" are the key words there. Obviously no guarantees at a title, especially when MJ was being MJ.

You can play the "what if?" game until the end of eternity, but the fact remains is that we don't know if they'd beat that bulls team with an in-shape and primed MJ. Even if they hadn't, that bulls team would be blown up and Magic would own the East for the next 10 years... barring penny's knee injuries and shaq staying etc. It's cool to reminisce and just take in the fact that this Magic team probably brought so many of us together and sparked that card collecting passion, at least from my experience.

[Vinny407]

Ughhhh.....I watched it once and I'll never watch it again. I was only 10 during the 94/95 season but I still remember crying for almost 30 minutes after that Finals game 1 loss to Houston. What a great team that was. Could they have beat the Bulls a year later with MJ back at 100%?? Who knows. But had Penny not started battling injuries and Shaq remained through his prime....the whole NBA landscape of that time could've very well been a lot different. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. I really enjoyed the end of the documentary watching Shaq and Penny hanging out.....it keeps a small piece of the 90's alive for me :)

[Andy5]

If only Nick made his free throws.

[Specialkmaster]

Ughhhh.....I watched it once and I'll never watch it again. I was only 10 during the 94/95 season but I still remember crying for almost 30 minutes after that Finals game 1 loss to Houston. What a great team that was. Could they have beat the Bulls a year later with MJ back at 100%?? Who knows. But had Penny not started battling injuries and Shaq remained through his prime....the whole NBA landscape of that time could've very well been a lot different. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. I really enjoyed the end of the documentary watching Shaq and Penny hanging out.....it keeps a small piece of the 90's alive for me :)

Yup, I was 11 and that hurt... that was probably my first season watching the nba and I've been hooked ever since. And yes, I loved the ending too.

[mc1]

Chicago swept them, with shaq there, in MJ's first full season back, and first of the second 3 -peat.

Completely forgot about that. That Magic team won 60 games and just got demolished by the Bulls. Only the Sonics gave them a real test that year.

That third year is when the Bulls were somewhat vulnerable. I didnt remember that the Pacers actually took them to 7 games that last year. Penny at full health and Shaq would have possibly had a shot at them then, not the first two years of MJ at 100%.