Sun Sports & Fox Sports Florida Look Back on the NBA Finals Run During the "Orlando Magic Postseason Special"
ORLANDO (July 1, 2009) – In the next edition of FOX Sports Florida and Sun Sports’ Inside the Magic, fans will take a look back at the Orlando Magic and their remarkable 2008-09 campaign and the team’s journey from training camp to the NBA Finals. The Orlando Magic Postseason Special, hosted by Paul Kennedy, debuts Monday, July 6, at 8pm on Sun Sports and Friday, July 10, at 7pm on FOX Sports Florida and will replay multiple times during the month of July/early August.
The Magic got off to a fast start, winning 13 of their first 17 games in 2008-09 and took a commanding lead in the Southeast Division. The Magic developed a reputation throughout the league as a great-shooting squad who “lived by the three.” Orlando hit a number of last-second shots over the course of the season, showing tremendous poise under pressure. It was this knack for clutch play and the team’s growing reputation as a stingy defensive group that led the Magic to a 59-23 regular season, the second-best finish in team history.
The Magic had three players selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team in Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson. Lewis participated in the 3-Point Contest and Howard brought his usual flair to the Slam Dunk Contest. Howard’s accolades did not end there, though, as he exemplified the team’s commitment to defense and earned himself the title of NBA Defensive Player of the Year, leading the NBA in both blocks and rebounds. He was also named to the All-NBA First Team for the second consecutive season.
But the season did not pass without adversity. On February 2, with the Magic sitting at 36-10, Nelson went down with a torn labrum in his shoulder that would force him to miss the rest of the regular season and most of the playoffs. Magic General Manager Otis Smith acted swiftly, acquiring Rafer Alston from Houston at the trade deadline. The Magic made this transition almost seamlessly as Orlando went on to capture its second consecutive Southeast Division title and was set to make a historic playoff run.
The Orlando Magic Postseason Special also takes fans inside the team’s run to the NBA Finals. Fans can relive Orlando’s comebacks against the Philadelphia 76ers and the defending champion Boston Celtics, as well as the team’s dominance in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic became just the third team all season to defeat LeBron James and the Cavaliers at home, taking the series 4-2 to advance to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite losing 4-1 to the Lakers in the Finals, the Magic brought life to the city of Orlando and, in defeat, learned what it takes to win a championship.
After the season ended, the Magic made a blockbuster trade with the New Jersey Nets that brought Daytona Beach native and eight-time all-star Vince Carter to Orlando. The Orlando Magic Postseason Special has reactions from Smith and head coach Stan Van Gundy to the trade as well as their expectations for next season’s team as Orlando Magic continue on their quest for the organization’s first NBA championship.
Additional airdates/times for the Orlando Magic Postseason Special are available on both sunsportstv.com and fsfloridatv.com.
The Magic got off to a fast start, winning 13 of their first 17 games in 2008-09 and took a commanding lead in the Southeast Division. The Magic developed a reputation throughout the league as a great-shooting squad who “lived by the three.” Orlando hit a number of last-second shots over the course of the season, showing tremendous poise under pressure. It was this knack for clutch play and the team’s growing reputation as a stingy defensive group that led the Magic to a 59-23 regular season, the second-best finish in team history.
The Magic had three players selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team in Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson. Lewis participated in the 3-Point Contest and Howard brought his usual flair to the Slam Dunk Contest. Howard’s accolades did not end there, though, as he exemplified the team’s commitment to defense and earned himself the title of NBA Defensive Player of the Year, leading the NBA in both blocks and rebounds. He was also named to the All-NBA First Team for the second consecutive season.
But the season did not pass without adversity. On February 2, with the Magic sitting at 36-10, Nelson went down with a torn labrum in his shoulder that would force him to miss the rest of the regular season and most of the playoffs. Magic General Manager Otis Smith acted swiftly, acquiring Rafer Alston from Houston at the trade deadline. The Magic made this transition almost seamlessly as Orlando went on to capture its second consecutive Southeast Division title and was set to make a historic playoff run.
The Orlando Magic Postseason Special also takes fans inside the team’s run to the NBA Finals. Fans can relive Orlando’s comebacks against the Philadelphia 76ers and the defending champion Boston Celtics, as well as the team’s dominance in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic became just the third team all season to defeat LeBron James and the Cavaliers at home, taking the series 4-2 to advance to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite losing 4-1 to the Lakers in the Finals, the Magic brought life to the city of Orlando and, in defeat, learned what it takes to win a championship.
After the season ended, the Magic made a blockbuster trade with the New Jersey Nets that brought Daytona Beach native and eight-time all-star Vince Carter to Orlando. The Orlando Magic Postseason Special has reactions from Smith and head coach Stan Van Gundy to the trade as well as their expectations for next season’s team as Orlando Magic continue on their quest for the organization’s first NBA championship.
Additional airdates/times for the Orlando Magic Postseason Special are available on both sunsportstv.com and fsfloridatv.com.
