2007–08 Orlando Magic season
Encyclopedia
The 2007-08
Orlando Magic
season was their 19th season in the National Basketball Association.
was signed as head coach of the Magic on June 1 agreeing to a 5-year, $27.5 million deal with the team. , to replace recently fired Magic hed coach Brian Hill
. Donovan had previously led the University of Florida
basketball team to back to back NCAA National Championships in 2006
and 2007
. One day later however, Donovan had second thoughts about becoming head coach of the Magic, and wished to be released from his contract to return to his former team, the Florida Gators
Men's basketball team. On June 5, the Magic released Donovan from his 5-year contract, under the condition that he would not be allowed to sign as head coach of another NBA team for five years. One day later, the Magic signed Stan Van Gundy
as head coach. The deal was reportedly for 4 years, $16 million.
The Magic made a splash in the free agent
market by acquiring small forward
Rashard Lewis
on July 11. Lewis was re-signed to the Seattle SuperSonics
for a six-year league maximum contract, then promptly traded to the Magic in a "sign and trade
" for a second-round pick in the 2008 NBA Draft
. The Sonics earned a mid-level salary cap exemption in the trade.. Lewis signed a six-year league-maximum contract believed to be worth over $110 million.
Then the Magic filled in a need and went after a big man after losing Darko Milicic, and signed Center Adonal Foyle who played for the Golden State Warriors and leads the Warriors in most blocks in team history.
The Magic also signed Polish
center
Marcin Gortat
on July 17. They had acquired his NBA rights from the Phoenix Suns
following the 2005 NBA Draft
.
The Magic got final approval for a new arena on July 26, 2007. It is expected to be completed in time for the 2010-11 NBA season.
Point guard Jameer Nelson
's father, Floyd "Pete" Nelson, disappeared on August 30, and was found dead in the Delaware River
in Wilmington, Delaware
, on September 2. A Chester, Pennsylvania
, tugboat repairman by trade, the elder Nelson's death was ruled an accident.
in New York, New York
.
* Total for entire season including previous team(s)
was voted as starting center at the 2008 NBA All-Star Game
in New Orleans, Louisiana
, where the previous night, he won the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest
.
to the Los Angeles Lakers
for Maurice Evans
and Brian Cook
.
2007-08 NBA season
The 2007–08 NBA season was the 62nd season of the National Basketball Association. The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 30, 2007, and ended on Wednesday, April 16, 2008...
Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
season was their 19th season in the National Basketball Association.
Key dates
- June 6: The Magic hire Stan Van GundyStan Van GundyStanley A. "Stan" Van Gundy is the head coach of the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. From 2003 to 2005, he was the head coach of the Miami Heat but resigned in 2005 mid-season, turning the job over to Pat Riley...
as head coach, days after Billy DonovanBilly DonovanWilliam John "Billy" Donovan, Jr. is an American college basketball coach and a former college and professional basketball player. Donovan is the current head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team of the University of Florida...
was signed as head coach and released due to a change of heart from Donovan. - June 28: The 2007 NBA Draft2007 NBA DraftThe 2007 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2007 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It was broadcast on television in 115 countries. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
took place in New York City, New York. - July 1: The free agencyFree agentIn professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
period began. - July 11: The Magic acquired Rashard LewisRashard LewisRashard Quovon Lewis is an American professional basketball player, currently with the NBA's Washington Wizards as a small forward and a power forward.-Seattle SuperSonics:...
from the Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonicsThe Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
. - September 29: The Magic opened their training camp at the RDV Sportsplex in Maitland, FloridaMaitland, FloridaMaitland is a suburban city in Orange County, Florida, United States, part of the Greater Metro Orlando area. The population was 12,019 at the 2000 census. As of 2006, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 14,172...
. - October 31: The Magic's season began with a game against the Milwaukee BucksMilwaukee BucksThe Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
. - March 5: The Magic matched the same number of wins as the previous season by defeating the Washington WizardsWashington WizardsThe Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
. - March 12: The Magic were assured a winning season after defeating the Los Angeles ClippersLos Angeles ClippersThe Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. - March 15: The Magic clinched a playoff berth with a win over the Indiana PacersIndiana PacersThe Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. - March 28: The Magic broke the franchise's previous record of road wins in a season by defeating the Milwaukee BucksMilwaukee BucksThe Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
, the Magic's 24th win of the season away from home. - March 31: Because of a loss by the Washington WizardsWashington WizardsThe Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
, the Magic clinched the Southeast Division title. - April 16: The Magic played their last game of the regular season.
- April 28: The Magic won their first playoff series in 12 years by defeating the Toronto RaptorsToronto RaptorsThe Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
4 games to 1. - May 13: The Magic were eliminated from the playoffs, losing to the Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
4 games to 1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Offseason
Billy DonovanBilly Donovan
William John "Billy" Donovan, Jr. is an American college basketball coach and a former college and professional basketball player. Donovan is the current head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team of the University of Florida...
was signed as head coach of the Magic on June 1 agreeing to a 5-year, $27.5 million deal with the team. , to replace recently fired Magic hed coach Brian Hill
Brian Hill (basketball)
Brian Hill is an American basketball coach who is currently an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons in the NBA...
. Donovan had previously led the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
basketball team to back to back NCAA National Championships in 2006
2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2005–06 basketball season...
and 2007
2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 NCAA schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2006–07 basketball season...
. One day later however, Donovan had second thoughts about becoming head coach of the Magic, and wished to be released from his contract to return to his former team, the Florida Gators
Florida Gators basketball
The Florida Gators have two Gator basketball programs:*Men's*Women's...
Men's basketball team. On June 5, the Magic released Donovan from his 5-year contract, under the condition that he would not be allowed to sign as head coach of another NBA team for five years. One day later, the Magic signed Stan Van Gundy
Stan Van Gundy
Stanley A. "Stan" Van Gundy is the head coach of the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. From 2003 to 2005, he was the head coach of the Miami Heat but resigned in 2005 mid-season, turning the job over to Pat Riley...
as head coach. The deal was reportedly for 4 years, $16 million.
The Magic made a splash in the free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
market by acquiring small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
Rashard Lewis
Rashard Lewis
Rashard Quovon Lewis is an American professional basketball player, currently with the NBA's Washington Wizards as a small forward and a power forward.-Seattle SuperSonics:...
on July 11. Lewis was re-signed to the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
for a six-year league maximum contract, then promptly traded to the Magic in a "sign and trade
Sign and trade
In U.S. basketball, a sign-and-trade agreement is a type of contract allowed in the NBA collective bargaining agreement, wherein one team signs an unrestricted free agent to a contract and trades him to another team of the players choosing...
" for a second-round pick in the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
. The Sonics earned a mid-level salary cap exemption in the trade.. Lewis signed a six-year league-maximum contract believed to be worth over $110 million.
Then the Magic filled in a need and went after a big man after losing Darko Milicic, and signed Center Adonal Foyle who played for the Golden State Warriors and leads the Warriors in most blocks in team history.
The Magic also signed Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
Marcin Gortat
Marcin Gortat
Marcin Gortat, pronounced "MAHR-cheen GOR-taht" , also known as the Polish Hammer, is a Polish professional basketball player who plays the center position for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. The 6'11", 240 pound power forward/center is the son of boxer Janusz Gortat...
on July 17. They had acquired his NBA rights from the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
following the 2005 NBA Draft
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
.
The Magic got final approval for a new arena on July 26, 2007. It is expected to be completed in time for the 2010-11 NBA season.
Point guard Jameer Nelson
Jameer Nelson
Jameer Nelson is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the NBA. He played college basketball at Saint Joseph's University and was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets but was traded to the Orlando Magic, where he has played for his...
's father, Floyd "Pete" Nelson, disappeared on August 30, and was found dead in the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
in Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
, on September 2. A Chester, Pennsylvania
Chester, Pennsylvania
Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a population of 33,972 at the 2010 census. Chester is situated on the Delaware River, between the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.- History :...
, tugboat repairman by trade, the elder Nelson's death was ruled an accident.
Draft picks
Orlando's selections from the 2007 NBA Draft2007 NBA Draft
The 2007 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2007 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It was broadcast on television in 115 countries. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
in New York, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 44 | Reyshawn Terry | Small Forward | UNC North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history... |
|
Roster
Standings
Regular season
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | 20 | 20.5 | .451 | .345 | .853 | 1.8 | 3.5 | .42 | .03 | 6.9 | |
| 25 | 0 | 6.0 | .529 | .000 | .500 | 1.2 | .1 | .20 | .08 | 1.6 | |
| 82 | 35 | 26.8 | .410 | .362 | .736 | 3.2 | 1.3 | .72 | .12 | 8.7 | |
| 51 | 2 | 12.3 | .376 | .374 | .905 | 2.1 | .5 | .25 | .24 | 4.7 | |
| 72 | 1 | 18.5 | .468 | .338 | .845 | 1.4 | 1.8 | .50 | .07 | 8.1 | |
| 75 | 47 | 22.9 | .481 | .388 | .711 | 2.9 | 1.1 | .61 | .13 | 8.9 | |
| 82 | 0 | 9.4 | .458 | .000 | .471 | 2.5 | .2 | .20 | .55 | 1.9 | |
| 31 | 0 | 9.2 | .338 | .216 | .800 | 1.4 | .4 | .19 | .03 | 2.1 | |
| 6 | 0 | 6.8 | .471 | .000 | .667 | 2.7 | .3 | .17 | .17 | 3.0 | |
| 82 | 82 | 37.7 | .599 | .000 | .590 | 14.2 | 1.3 | .90 | 2.15 | 20.7 | |
| 81 | 81 | 38.0 | .455 | .409 | .838 | 5.4 | 2.4 | 1.22 | .47 | 18.2 | |
| 69 | 62 | 28.4 | .469 | .416 | .828 | 3.5 | 5.6 | .91 | .06 | 10.9 | |
| 2 | 0 | 3.5 | .667 | .000 | .000 | .0 | .0 | .00 | .00 | 2.0 | |
| 34 | 0 | 8.1 | .444 | .395 | .794 | .7 | .5 | .12 | .00 | 4.1 | |
| 82 | 82 | 36.9 | .456 | .400 | .829 | 5.7 | 5.0 | .90 | .30 | 19.5 |
Playoffs
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0 | 7.5 | .500 | .000 | 1.000 | .5 | 1.0 | .00 | .00 | 1.5 | |
| 1 | 0 | 2.0 | 1.000 | .000 | .000 | 1.0 | .0 | .00 | .00 | 2.0 | |
| 9 | 0 | 29.1 | .356 | .341 | .700 | 3.9 | 1.2 | .44 | .00 | 7.0 | |
| 9 | 0 | 14.7 | .412 | .400 | .846 | .8 | .7 | .67 | .11 | 6.8 | |
| 9 | 9 | 28.4 | .500 | .406 | .667 | 2.8 | .7 | .89 | .11 | 8.8 | |
| 3 | 0 | 3.7 | .333 | .000 | .000 | 1.0 | .0 | .00 | .00 | .7 | |
| 2 | 0 | 3.0 | .000 | .000 | .500 | 1.0 | .0 | .00 | .00 | .5 | |
| 7 | 0 | 6.3 | .833 | .000 | .000 | 1.0 | .0 | .00 | .57 | 1.4 | |
| 9 | 9 | 41.9 | .586 | .000 | .574 | 15.7 | 1.0 | .89 | 3.44 | 19.4 | |
| 9 | 9 | 41.6 | .447 | .306 | .848 | 7.2 | 3.7 | 1.11 | .44 | 20.1 | |
| 9 | 9 | 33.3 | .481 | .474 | .757 | 4.3 | 4.8 | .33 | .22 | 16.4 | |
| 2 | 0 | 5.0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .5 | .0 | .00 | .00 | .0 | |
| 9 | 9 | 39.8 | .437 | .303 | .841 | 6.1 | 5.3 | .89 | .22 | 17.4 |
Awards and records
Dwight HowardDwight Howard
Dwight David Howard is an American basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . Howard, who usually plays center but can also play power forward, had an outstanding high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy...
was voted as starting center at the 2008 NBA All-Star Game
2008 NBA All-Star Game
-Eastern Conference roster:The Boston Celtics, the team with the league's best record, came into New Orleans with three players. Kevin Garnett, top vote-getter in the league with 2,399,148 votes, was selected as a starter, while Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were selected as reserves by the coaches of...
in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, where the previous night, he won the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest
Slam Dunk Contest
The Slam Dunk Contest is an annual National Basketball Association competition held during the NBA All-Star Weekend. The contest was inaugurated by the American Basketball Association at its All-Star Game in 1976 in Denver, the same year the slam dunk was legalized in the NCAA...
.
Transactions
The Magic have been involved in the following transactions during the 2007-08 season.Trades
In November 2007 the Magic traded Trevor ArizaTrevor Ariza
Trevor Anthony Ariza is an American basketball player in the National Basketball Association who plays for the New Orleans Hornets. Primarily a small forward, he is listed at tall and 210 pounds.-Biography:...
to the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for Maurice Evans
Maurice Evans (basketball)
Maurice Eugene Evans is an American professional basketball player who most recently played with the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. A 6 ft 5 in guard/forward, Evans weighs 220 lb...
and Brian Cook
Brian Cook
Brian Joshua Cook is an American professional basketball player. Cook was drafted out of the University of Illinois with the 24th pick of the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers...
.
Free Agents
|
|
See also
- 2007-08 NBA season2007-08 NBA seasonThe 2007–08 NBA season was the 62nd season of the National Basketball Association. The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 30, 2007, and ended on Wednesday, April 16, 2008...