Most Disappointing Teams in NBA Finals History: 1995 Orlando Magic

This past spring, a lot of focus was given to the 1990s Orlando Magic. It was highlighted by their 1994-95 Finals run. Their ESPN documentary really shed light on how good that team was. As good as they were, like this year’s Warriors, they did not win the championship.

Led by Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway, the Orlando Magic quickly became title contenders. Their 1995 NBA Playoffs run was the franchise’s second-ever appearance. Despite the franchise’s youth, they owned their position.

Why Not Us, Why Not Now?

“Why Not Us, Why Not Now?” was the motto. The Magic went 57-25 and took the Atlantic Division title. In addition, they had the East’s top record. During the regular season, the Magic felt as if their biggest obstacles were their chief rivals, Indiana Pacers. In addition, it was the freshly-returned Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls. after that, it was the San Antonio Spurs. Orlando did well against them all.

When the playoffs rolled around, the Orlando Magic did the impossible. They defeated the Chicago Bulls. In spite of being the top seed and finishing ten games ahead of the Bulls in the standings, the Magic were the underdogs. Shaq explained this in the documentary. Defeating Chicago, and then Indiana, put the Magic in the NBA Finals. There, they faced the defending champion Houston Rockets.

Magic vs. Rockets: 1995 NBA Finals and 1996

Despite the Hakeem Olajuwon-led Rockets being the defending NBA champions, they were counted out throughout the playoffs. Finishing the season in disappointing fashion meant the Rockets took a lower seed into the playoffs. They unseated everyone. In the regular season, the Rockets regressed and the Magic dominated them. In other words, they were supposed to have a quick series against Houston.

The series was quick, the Magic fell apart in the Finals and soon were swept. After that, Shaq was gone. They are disappointing because the 1995 Magic was the final squad to ever defeat a Michael Jordan-led team in the playoffs. A major source of inspiration for the 72-10 Bulls season comes from the Magic signing Horace Grant and then defeating the Bulls in the second round. All of that for no title.