1993–94 Orlando Magic season

1993–94 Orlando Magic season
Head coachBrian Hill
General managerPat Williams
PresidentBob Vander Weide
Owner(s)Richard DeVos
ArenaOrlando Arena
Results
Record50–32 (.610)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Atlantic)
Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Pacers 0–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWKCF
Sunshine Network
RadioWDBO
< 1992–93 1994–95 >

The 1993–94 NBA season was the Magic's fifth season in the National Basketball Association.[1] The team narrowly missed the playoffs the previous season, but as a result, received unexpected good fortune. Despite having the worst odds, the Magic won the NBA draft lottery for the second consecutive season.[2][3] The Magic drafted Chris Webber from the University of Michigan with the first overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft. They would eventually swap Webber to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for the rights to University of Memphis guard Penny Hardaway and three future first-round picks.[4][5][6][7][8]

With the addition of Hardaway, the Magic acquired a guard who could get second-year star Shaquille O'Neal the ball more often. Under new head coach Brian Hill,[9][10] the Magic continued to improve holding a 27–20 record at the All-Star break,[11] while posting a 7-game winning streak in February.[12] At midseason, the team signed assistant coach Tree Rollins to a player contract,[13] and acquired second-year forward Anthony Avent from the Milwaukee Bucks.[14] The Magic qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, as the club finished with a record of 50 wins and 32 losses, which was good enough for 2nd place in the Atlantic Division.[15]

O'Neal continued to dominate the league in scoring as he averaged 29.3 points, 13.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and selected for the 1994 NBA All-Star Game,[16][17][18][19][20] while Hardaway had a stellar rookie season, averaging 16.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In addition, Nick Anderson provided the team with 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, while three-point specialist Dennis Scott contributed 12.8 points per game and led the team with 155 three-point field goals, and Scott Skiles provided with 9.9 points and 6.1 assists per game.[21] O'Neal finished in fourth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[22] and Hardaway finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting behind Webber.[23][24][25]

However, in the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Magic would struggle losing their first 2 games at home to the 5th-seeded Indiana Pacers by a total of 3 points, as Shaq's weakness at the free throw line was exposed. In the end, the Magic were swept by the Pacers in 3 straight.[26][27][28][29][15] Following the season, Skiles was traded to the Washington Bullets.[30][31]

Offseason

Draft picks

Main article: 1993 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 1 Chris Webber PF/C  United States Michigan
1 26 Geert Hammink C  Netherlands LSU

Roster

1993–94 Orlando Magic roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G/F 25 Anderson, Nick 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1968–01–20 Illinois
F 00 Avent, Anthony 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1969–10–18 Seton Hall
G 14 Bowie, Anthony 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–11–09 Oklahoma
G 11 Green, Litterial 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1970–03–07 Georgia
C 43 Hammink, Geert 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 262 lb (119 kg) 1969–07–12 LSU
G 1 Hardaway, Penny 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1971–07–18 Memphis
C 34 Kite, Greg 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1961–08–05 BYU
F 42 Krystkowiak, Larry 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1964–09–23 Montana
C 32 O'Neal, Shaquille 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 325 lb (147 kg) 1972–03–06 LSU
C 30 Rollins, Tree 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1955–06–16 Clemson
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 4 Skiles, Scott 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1964–03–05 Michigan State
C 55 Tower, Keith 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1970–05–15 Notre Dame
F 31 Turner, Jeff Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1962–04–09 Vanderbilt
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 24, 1994

Roster Notes

Regular season

  • Penny Hardaway started out the season at the shooting guard position while he learned the point guard position from veteran Scott Skiles. By mid-season he took over point guard duties from Skiles. He immediately made an impact on the league, winning the MVP award at the inaugural Schick Rookie Game.[32][33] Hardaway helped the Magic to their first playoff berth and first fifty-win season. He averaged 16 points, 6.6 assists, 5.4 rebounds per game while his 190 steals ranked 6th in the league. He recorded his first career triple double on April 15 when he registered 14 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds against the Boston Celtics.[34] For his efforts he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and was the runner-up for Rookie of the Year to the aforementioned Webber.

Season standings

Atlantic Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-New York Knicks 57 25 .695 — 32–9 25–16 18–10
x-Orlando Magic 50 32 .610 7 31–10 19–22 20–8
x-New Jersey Nets 45 37 .549 12 29–12 16–25 17–11
x-Miami Heat 42 40 .512 15 22–19 20–21 16–12
Boston Celtics 32 50 .390 25 18–23 14–27 12–16
Philadelphia 76ers 25 57 .305 32 15–26 10–31 7–21
Washington Bullets 24 58 .293 33 17–24 7–34 8–20

[35]

#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Atlanta Hawks 57 25 .695 –
2 y-New York Knicks 57 25 .695 –
3 x-Chicago Bulls 55 27 .671 2
4 x-Orlando Magic 50 32 .610 7
5 x-Indiana Pacers 47 35 .573 10
6 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 10
7 x-New Jersey Nets 45 37 .549 12
8 x-Miami Heat 42 40 .512 15
9 Charlotte Hornets 41 41 .500 16
10 Boston Celtics 32 50 .390 25
11 Philadelphia 76ers 25 57 .305 32
12 Washington Bullets 24 58 .293 33
13t Milwaukee Bucks 20 62 .244 37
13t Detroit Pistons 20 62 .244 37
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1993–94 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 UTA WAS
Atlanta – 4–0 4–1 2–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 5–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Boston 0–4 – 0–4 2–2 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 1–1 1–4 0–4 2–2 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–2
Charlotte 1–4 4–0 – 1–4 1–4 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 3–2 2–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2
Chicago 3–2 2–2 4–1 – 1–3 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Cleveland 1–3 3–1 4–1 3–1 – 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 2–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 3–2 2–0 2–2 0–4 2–2 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Dallas 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 1–4 1–1 0–4 1–4 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 5–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 2–2 0–5 0–4 0–5 1–1
Denver 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 – 2–0 1–3 3–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–4 2–2 1–4 1–1
Detroit 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–5 2–3 1–1 0–2 – 0–2 0–2 1–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–4 2–0 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2
Golden State 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 3–1 2–0 – 0–4 1–1 4–1 5–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 4–1 2–2 1–4 3–1 2–0
Houston 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 2–3 2–0 4–0 – 1–1 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 4–0 2–3 2–2 3–3 1–1
Indiana 2–3 4–0 2–2 1–4 3–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 1–1 1–1 – 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–3 1–1 1–4 0–4 0–2 – 2–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–5 2–3 3–2 1–3 1–4 1–3 1–1
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 2–0 0–5 1–3 2–0 3–2 – 1–1 2–0 3–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 0–5 1–4 0–4 0–5 2–2 1–1
Miami 1–3 3–2 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 – 4–0 2–0 2–3 2–2 2–3 4–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Milwaukee 0–5 1–3 2–3 0–4 2–3 2–0 0–2 4–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 – 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–5 1–4 0–2 2–2 1–4 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 2–0 – 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–4 0–4 1–4 0–2
New Jersey 3–1 4–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–2 3–1 1–1 – 4–1 0–5 3–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
New York 2–2 4–0 1–3 3–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 0–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 1–4 – 3–2 3–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 5–0
Orlando 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–2 3–1 1–1 5–0 2–3 – 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–1
Philadelphia 0–4 1–4 1–3 1–3 0–4 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 3–1 0–2 1–3 2–3 0–4 – 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–3
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 3–2 2–2 1–1 5–0 2–3 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 – 3–2 4–1 3–1 2–3 2–2 2–0
Portland 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–3 0–4 1–1 3–2 5–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 2–3 – 4–1 1–3 1–4 1–3 2–0
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–4 0–4 0–2 2–3 4–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–4 1–4 – 1–3 0–5 1–3 2–0
San Antonio 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 5–0 4–2 1–1 2–2 3–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 3–1 3–1 – 0–4 0–5 2–0
Seattle 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–1 2–2 1–1 4–1 5–0 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 5–0 4–0 – 3–1 2–0
Utah 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 5–0 4–1 2–0 1–3 3–3 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 5–0 1–3 – 2–0
Washington 0–4 2–3 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–3 0–5 1–4 3–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 —

Game log

Playoffs

1994 playoff game log
First round: 0–3 (home: 0–2; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 28 Indiana L 88–89 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Penny Hardaway (10) Orlando Arena
15,291 		0–1
2 April 30 Indiana L 101–103 Penny Hardaway (31) three players tied (7) Penny Hardaway (7) Orlando Arena
15,291 		0–2
3 May 2 @ Indiana L 86–99 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Penny Hardaway (4) Market Square Arena
16,562 		0–3
1994 schedule

Player statistics

Regular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Penny Hardaway PG 82 82 3,015 439 544 190 51 1,313 36.8 5.4 6.6 2.3 .6 16.0
Scott Skiles PG 82 46 2,303 189 503 47 2 815 28.1 2.3 6.1 .6 .0 9.9
Dennis Scott SF 82 37 2,283 218 216 81 32 1,046 27.8 2.7 2.6 1.0 .4 12.8
Shaquille O'Neal C 81 81 3,224 1,072 195 76 231 2,377 39.8 13.2 2.4 .9 2.9 29.3
Nick Anderson SG 81 81 2,811 476 294 134 33 1,277 34.7 5.9 3.6 1.7 .4 15.8
Donald Royal SF 74 0 1,357 248 61 50 16 547 18.3 3.4 .8 .7 .2 7.4
Anthony Bowie SG 70 0 948 120 102 32 12 320 13.5 1.7 1.5 .5 .2 4.6
Jeff Turner PF 68 51 1,536 271 60 23 11 451 22.6 4.0 .9 .3 .2 6.6
Tree Rollins C 45 1 384 96 9 7 35 76 8.5 2.1 .2 .2 .8 1.7
Anthony Avent† PF 41 20 676 184 32 17 11 144 16.5 4.5 .8 .4 .3 3.5
Larry Krystkowiak PF 34 11 682 123 35 14 4 173 20.1 3.6 1.0 .4 .1 5.1
Greg Kite C 29 0 309 70 4 2 12 34 10.7 2.4 .1 .1 .4 1.2
Litterial Green PG 29 0 126 12 9 6 1 73 4.3 .4 .3 .2 .0 2.5
Keith Tower C 11 0 32 6 1 0 0 8 2.9 .5 .1 .0 .0 .7
Todd Lichti† SG 4 0 20 4 2 2 0 8 5.0 1.0 .5 .5 .0 2.0
Lorenzo Williams† PF 3 0 19 4 2 2 3 2 6.3 1.3 .7 .7 1.0 .7
Anthony Cook† PF 2 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 1.0 .0
Geert Hammink C 1 0 3 1 1 0 0 2 3.0 1.0 1.0 .0 .0 2.0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Magic only.

Playoffs

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Penny Hardaway PG 3 3 133 20 21 5 6 56 44.3 6.7 7.0 1.7 2.0 18.7
Shaquille O'Neal C 3 3 126 40 7 2 9 62 42.0 13.3 2.3 .7 3.0 20.7
Nick Anderson SG 3 3 120 10 10 5 2 43 40.0 3.3 3.3 1.7 .7 14.3
Dennis Scott SF 3 3 99 6 3 2 3 43 33.0 2.0 1.0 .7 1.0 14.3
Larry Krystkowiak PF 3 3 92 25 9 3 2 18 30.7 8.3 3.0 1.0 .7 6.0
Donald Royal SF 3 0 45 4 5 1 0 21 15.0 1.3 1.7 .3 .0 7.0
Tree Rollins C 3 0 29 3 0 1 1 4 9.7 1.0 .0 .3 .3 1.3
Anthony Avent PF 2 0 40 11 1 0 0 19 20.0 5.5 .5 .0 .0 9.5
Scott Skiles PG 2 0 23 1 3 0 0 9 11.5 .5 1.5 .0 .0 4.5
Anthony Bowie SG 2 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 6.5 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0

Awards and honors

Transactions

References

  1. ^ 1993-94 Orlando Magic
  2. ^ Freeman, Mike (May 24, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; Kiss of a Giddy G.M.: Magic Snags No. 1 Pick". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  3. ^ Povtak, Tim (May 23, 1993). "Draft '93 Lottery". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  4. ^ Brown, Clifton (July 1, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; Pick and Troll: Magic Trades No. 1 Choice Webber". The New York Times. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  5. ^ Heisler, Mark (July 1, 1993). "THE NBA DRAFT: Big Deal for Warriors: Webber for Hardaway: Basketball: Golden State Finally Gets Someone with Size. Orlando Gets Memphis State Guard to Complement O'Neal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  6. ^ Wilbon, Michael (July 1, 1993). "Webber Is 1st, Then Traded". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  7. ^ Landman, Brian (July 1, 1993). "Magic Picks Up a "Penny"". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  8. ^ "1993 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  9. ^ "Magic Promote Hill to Head Coach". United Press International. June 30, 1993. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  10. ^ Guest, Larry (November 5, 1993). "Hill Will Use Experience from Days at Lehigh". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  11. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 10, 1994". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  12. ^ "1993–94 Orlando Magic Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  13. ^ Povtak, Tim (May 22, 1994). "Tree Taking Root as Player for Magic". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  14. ^ "Bucks Trade Avent to Magic for Cook, Draft Pick". Deseret News. January 16, 1994. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Orlando Magic (1989-Present)
  16. ^ Smith, Sam (January 18, 1994). "Armstrong a Surprising All-Star Starter as Fans Ignore Big Names". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  17. ^ "All-Stars Are Short on Magic". Orlando Sentinel. February 2, 1994. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  18. ^ Taylor, Phil (February 14, 1994). "The NBA". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
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  21. ^ "1993–94 Orlando Magic Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  22. ^ Thomas Jr., Robert McG. (May 25, 1994). "PRO BASKETBALL; Rockets' Olajuwon Named Most Valuable Player". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  23. ^ "Webber Named NBA Rookie of the Year". United Press International. May 3, 1994. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  24. ^ "Webber Chosen Rookie of Year Over Hardaway". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 4, 1994. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  25. ^ "1993–94 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  26. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Pacers Send Magic on a Long Florida Vacation". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 3, 1994. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  27. ^ "NBA ROUNDUP: No Magic for Orlando After Pacer Sweep". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 3, 1994. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  28. ^ "Pacers Bench Shaq, Then Finish Magic Sweep". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 3, 1994. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
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  30. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Grant Leaves the Bulls to Help Solidify Magic". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 30, 1994. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  31. ^ "Eastern Conference". The Washington Post. November 4, 1994. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  32. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL: NOTEBOOK; Hardaway and Webber Dominate Rookie Game". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 13, 1994. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  33. ^ "1994 NBA Rising Stars: Phenoms 74, Sensations 68". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  34. ^ "Magic Misses Chances". Tampa Bay Times. April 16, 1994. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  35. ^ 1993-94 NBA Season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com