1995–96 Orlando Magic season

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Magic's seventh season in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Magic signed free agent Jon Koncak.[2] Coming off their trip to the NBA Finals, where they were swept in four games by the Houston Rockets, the Magic won their second straight Atlantic Division title with a 60–22 record, a regular season record which still stands as the best in franchise history.[3] This despite missing Shaquille O'Neal for the first 22 games of the season due to a thumb injury.[4] Anfernee Hardaway stepped up in O'Neal's absence and was awarded Player of the Month for November,[5] as the Magic got off to a 13–2 start. At midseason, the team traded Jeff Turner to the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies for Kenny Gattison, who never played for the Magic due to arm and neck injuries.[6] This season also saw Dennis Scott take a place in the league history books by scoring 267 three-point field goals, a single season record since broken by Stephen Curry. Scott set a then-record of 11 three-point field goals in a 119–104 home win against the Atlanta Hawks on April 18, 1996.[7]

1995–96 Orlando Magic season
Division champions
Head coachBrian Hill
General managerJohn Gabriel
PresidentBob Vander Weide
Owner(s)Richard DeVos
ArenaOrlando Arena
Results
Record60–22 (.732)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Atlantic)
Conference: 2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference Finals
(Lost to Bulls 0–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionSportsChannel Florida, Sunshine Network, WKCF
RadioWDBO

Hardaway averaged 21.7 points, 7.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while O'Neal averaged 26.6 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game in 54 games, while being named to the All-NBA Third Team, and Scott provided the team with 17.5 points per game. In addition, Horace Grant provided with 13.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, and Nick Anderson contributed 14.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.[8] Both Hardaway and O'Neal were selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game,[9] while Grant made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Hardaway also finished in third place in Most Valuable Player voting, while O'Neal finished tied in ninth place.[10] This was also the only season of O'Neal's NBA career, where he hit his only three-pointer in a 121–91 home win against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 16, 1996.[11]

Despite the franchise best record, the Magic were beaten by the top seed in the East, the dominant Chicago Bulls, who finished with a then all-time best record of 72–10. In the playoffs, the Magic would sweep the Detroit Pistons in three straight games in the Eastern Conference First Round.[12] In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they defeated the 6th-seeded Hawks in five games,[13] despite losing Game 4 at The Omni in Atlanta 104–99.[14]

The Eastern Conference Finals matched up the Magic with the Bulls, the team they had eliminated in the previous year's playoffs. However, Grant went down with an elbow injury in Game 1, and was out for the rest of the series.[15] The Bulls would be too strong as they swept the Magic 4–0.[16] Thereby, the Magic became the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs in a sweep for three consecutive seasons since the 1950 Chicago Stags.

Following the season, the All-Star center O'Neal left the team, signing as a free agent for the Los Angeles Lakers after four seasons in Orlando,[17] while Gattison and Anthony Bowie were both released to free agency, and Koncak was traded to the Golden State Warriors.[18]

Draft picks
Main article: 1995 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 25 David Vaughn PF  United States Memphis

Roster
1995–96 Orlando Magic roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
G/F 25 Anderson, Nick 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1968–01–20 Illinois
G 10 Armstrong, Darrell  6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1968–06–22 Fayetteville State
F 24 Bonner, Anthony 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1968–06–08 Saint Louis
G 14 Bowie, Anthony 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–11–09 Oklahoma
F – Gattison, Kenny  (IN) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1964–05–23 Old Dominion
F 54 Grant, Horace 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1965–07–04 Clemson
G 1 Hardaway, Anfernee (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1971–07–18 Memphis
C 45 Koncak, Jon 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1963–05–17 SMU
C 32 O'Neal, Shaquille (C) 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 325 lb (147 kg) 1972–03–06 LSU
F 5 Royal, Donald 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966–05–22 Notre Dame
G/F 3 Scott, Dennis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 229 lb (104 kg) 1968–09–05 Georgia Tech
G 20 Shaw, Brian 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1966–03–22 UC Santa Barbara
G 22 Thompson, Brooks 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1970–07–19 Oklahoma State
F 42 Vaughn, David 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1973–03–23 Memphis
F 12 Wolf, Joe 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–12–17 North Carolina
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 15, 1996

Roster Notes

Regular season

Season standings
Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div GP
y – Orlando Magic 60 22 .732 12.0 37–4 23–18 21–3 82
x – New York Knicks 47 35 .573 25.0 26–15 21–20 16–8 82
x – Miami Heat 42 40 .512 30.0 26–15 16–25 13–12 82
Washington Bullets 39 43 .476 33.0 25–16 14–27 10–14 82
Boston Celtics 33 49 .402 39.0 18–23 15–26 12–12 82
New Jersey Nets 30 52 .366 42.0 20–21 10–31 8–17 82
Philadelphia 76ers 18 64 .220 54.0 11–30 7–34 5–19 82
Eastern Conference
# Team W L PCT GB GP
1 z – Chicago Bulls * 72 10 .878 – 82
2 y – Orlando Magic * 60 22 .732 12.0 82
3 x – Indiana Pacers 52 30 .634 20.0 82
4 x – Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 25.0 82
5 x – New York Knicks 47 35 .573 25.0 82
6 x – Atlanta Hawks 46 36 .561 26.0 82
7 x – Detroit Pistons 46 36 .561 26.0 82
8 x – Miami Heat 42 40 .512 30.0 82
9 Charlotte Hornets 41 41 .500 31.0 82
10 Washington Bullets 39 43 .476 33.0 82
11 Boston Celtics 33 49 .402 39.0 82
12 New Jersey Nets 30 52 .366 42.0 82
13 Milwaukee Bucks 25 57 .305 47.0 82
14 Toronto Raptors 21 61 .256 51.0 82
15 Philadelphia 76ers 18 64 .220 54.0 82

Record vs. opponents
1995-96 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta –4–03–10–43–11–11–12–21–11–11–32–00–22–22–21–14–02–12–22–10–22–02–00–20–24–01–12–01–3
Boston 0–4–2–20–31–30–21–12–10–21–10–42–00–23–13–12–02–20–41–34–01–10–22–00–20–23–10–21–12–2
Charlotte 1–32–2–1–33–12–02–01–30–20–21–31–12–02–23–11–10–33–00–43–12–01–11–10–20–23–11–12–03–1
Chicago 4–03–03–1–4–02–01–14–02–02–02–22–02–03–14–02–03–03–13–14–01–12–02–02–01–13–12–02–04–0
Cleveland 1–33–11–30–4–2–01–12–22–01–12–22–02–01–34–02–01–23–11–24–02–01–11–10–20–23–10–22–03–1
Dallas 1–12–00–20–20–2–2–20–22–21–30–22–20–40–21–10–41–10–21–10–21–30–42–22–22–21–11–34–00–2
Denver 1–11–10–21–11–12–2–1–12–21–30–21–32–20–21–14–00–21–11–12–03–10–40–40–41–32–03–13–11–1
Detroit 2–21–23–10–42–22–01–1–2–01–12–22–00–21–32–21–14–00–41–34–02–02–01–12–01–14–00–22–01–2
Golden State 1–12–02–00–20–22–22–20–2–2–21–13–11–31–11–13–12–00–20–22–01–31–31–31–30–41–11–34–01–1
Houston 1–11–12–00–21–13–13–11–12–2–2–04–03–10–22–02–22–00–20–22–03–12–22–21–30–42–02–24–01–1
Indiana 3–14–03–12–22–22–02–02–21–10–2–2–01–13–03–11–11–31–32–23–11–11–10–21–12–04–00–22–03–0
L.A. Clippers 0–20–21–10–20–22–23–10–21–30–40–2–0–41–11–13–11–11–10–22–03–12–22–21–30–40–21–33–11–1
L.A. Lakers 2–02–00–20–20–24–02–22–03–11–31–14–0–2–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–12–23–11–32–22–02–24–01–1
Miami 2–21–32–21–33–12–02–03–11–12–00–31–10–2–3–01–15–01–31–33–11–10–21–11–10–22–10–21–12–2
Milwaukee 2–21–31–30–40–41–11–12–21–10–21–31–10–20–3–1–11–32–21–32–10–22–00–21–10–22–20–21–11–3
Minnesota 1–10–21–10–20–24–00–41–11–32–21–11–31–31–11–1–1–10–20–21–11–30–43–11–30–41–11–32–20–2
New Jersey 0–42–23–00–32–11–12–00–40–20–23–11–10–20–53–11–1–2–20–42–20–21–11–10–20–22–20–22–02–2
New York 1–24–00–31–31–32–01–14–02–02–03–11–11–13–12–22–02–2–1–33–10–20–20–21–11–14–01–11–13–1
Orlando 2–23–14–01–32–11–11–13–12–02–02–22–01–13–13–12–04–03–1–4–02–01–11–11–11–12–11–12–04–0
Philadelphia 1–20–41–30–40–42–00–20–40–20–21–30–21–11–31–21–12–21–30–4–0–20–20–20–20–23–11–11–11–3
Phoenix 2–01–10–21–10–23–11–30–23–11–31–11–31–31–12–03–12–02–00–22–0–2–22–21–30–42–01–34–02–0
Portland 0–22–01–10–21–14–04–00–23–12–21–12–22–22–00–24–01–12–01–12–02–2–1–31–31–32–01–32–20–2
Sacramento 0–20–21–10–21–12–24–01–13–12–22–02–21–31–12–01–31–12–01–12–02–23–1–1–30–42–00–42–20–2
San Antonio 2–02–02–00–22–02–24–00–23–13–11–13–13–11–11–13–12–01–11–12–03–13–13–1–2–22–03–14–01–1
Seattle 2–02–02–01–12–02–23–11–14–04–00–24–02–22–02–04–02–01–11–12–04–03–14–02–2–1–13–13–11–1
Toronto 0–41–31–31–31–31–10–20–41–10–20–42–00–21–22–21–12–20–41–21–30–20–20–20–21–1–0–21–13–1
Utah 1–12–01–10–22–03–11–32–03–12–22–03–12–22–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–13–14–01–31–32–0–4–01–1
Vancouver 0–21–10–20–20–20–41–30–20–40–40–21–30–41–11–12–20–21–10–21–10–42–22–20–41–31–10–4–0–2
Washington 3–12–21–30–41–32–01–12–11–11–10–31–11–12–23–12–02–21–30–43–10–22–02–01–11–11–31–12–0—

Playoffs

The Magic opened up their playoffs campaign on April 26 against the Detroit Pistons, a game they won convincingly 112-92 at home in the Orlando Arena. The Magic would also win Game 2 at home before clinching the series, and a sweep, of the Pistons in Game 3 away from home at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The second round put the Magic against the Atlanta Hawks. The Magic opened the series with two convincing wins at home, both with scoring margins greater than 20 points. The Magic carried this momentum into Game 3 away from home at the Omni, winning a closer fought match 102-96. The Hawks won Game 4, avoiding the sweep, but the Magic were too strong and won Game 5 at home to clinch the series 4-1.

The Eastern Conference finals saw the Magic face the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan, a team they had eliminated in the previous years playoffs. With Horace Grant out with an elbow injury from Game 1, the dominant Chicago Bulls would prove to be too strong for the Orlando this year, sweeping the series 4-0 and denying the Magic consecutive trips to the NBA finals.[16]

1996 playoff game log
First round: 3–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 26 Detroit W 112–92 Dennis Scott (23) Horace Grant (13) Brian Shaw (11) Orlando Arena
17,248		 1–0
2 April 28 Detroit W 92–77 Shaquille O'Neal (29) Horace Grant (10) Penny Hardaway (8) Orlando Arena
17,248		 2–0
3 April 30 @ Detroit W 101–98 Penny Hardaway (24) Horace Grant (16) Penny Hardaway (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
20,386		 3–0
Conference Semi-finals: 4–1 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 8 Atlanta W 117–105 Shaquille O'Neal (41) Shaquille O'Neal (13) O'Neal, Hardaway (6) Orlando Arena
17,248		 1–0
2 May 10 Atlanta W 120–94 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Horace Grant (11) Penny Hardaway (7) Orlando Arena
17,248		 2–0
3 May 12 @ Atlanta W 103–96 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Penny Hardaway (6) Omni Coliseum
15,476		 3–0
4 May 13 @ Atlanta L 99–104 Grant, Hardaway (29) Horace Grant (20) Penny Hardaway (11) Omni Coliseum
12,645		 3–1
5 May 15 Atlanta W 96–88 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (15) O'Neal, Scott (4) Orlando Arena
17,248		 4–1
Conference Finals: 0–4 (Home: 0–2; Road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 19 @ Chicago L 83–121 Penny Hardaway (38) Shaquille O'Neal (6) Shaquille O'Neal (6) United Center
24,411		 0–1
2 May 21 @ Chicago L 88–93 Shaquille O'Neal (36) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Brian Shaw (6) United Center
24,395		 0–2
3 May 25 Chicago L 67–86 Penny Hardaway (18) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Hardaway, O'Neal (3) Orlando Arena
17,248		 0–3
4 May 27 Chicago L 101–106 Hardaway, O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Penny Hardaway (8) Orlando Arena
17,248		 0–4
1996 schedule

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Awards and honors

League records

During the 1995–96 season, Dennis Scott set the record for most three-point field goals scored in a regular season with 267.

References
  1. 1995-96 Orlando Magic
  2. "KONCAK JUST MIGHT HAVE O'NEAL'S NUMBER". Washington Post. October 7, 1995. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  3. "1995–96 Orlando Magic Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  4. "Shaq Hurts Thumb - May Miss 6 Weeks". Orlando Sentinel. October 25, 1995. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  5. "1995-96: Orlando Bullied". NBA.com. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  6. "MAGIC DEAL TURNER TO GRIZZLIES". Orlando Sentinel. February 23, 1996. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  7. "Scott is Magic from 3-point range". UPI Archives. April 19, 1996. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  8. "1995–96 Orlando Magic Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  9. "1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  10. "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  11. "O'NEAL PUTS 3 IN HIS ARSENAL". Orlando Sentinel. February 17, 1996. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  12. "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Magic Gets First Sweep By Finishing Off Pistons". The New York Times. May 1, 1996. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  13. Brown, Clifton (May 16, 1996). "NBA PLAYOFFS; Dream Matchup Is Finally Complete". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  14. "Hawks 104, Magic 99". UPI Archives. May 14, 1996. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  15. Smith, Sam (May 23, 1996). "GRANT TO DISAPPEAR FROM SERIES WITH INJURY". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  16. Wise, Mike (May 28, 1996). "N.B.A PLAYOFFS; Jordan Wields the Broom as Bulls Sweep the Magic". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  17. Moran, Malcolm (July 19, 1996). "Lakers Get O'Neal in 7-Year Contract". The New York Times.
  18. "Seikaly Traded to the Magic". New York Times. November 3, 1996. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
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