2008–09 Orlando Magic season
Encyclopedia
The 2008–09 Orlando Magic season was the 20th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association
(NBA).
10. Bogans, Keith
(SG)
43. Cook, Brian
(PF)
29. Wilks, Mike
(G)
against the Sacramento Kings
. Nine of the twelve Magic players who played that night scored at least one three pointer. At the start of February, Jameer Nelson
, their all-star starting point guard, went down with a shoulder injury which caused him to miss the remainder of the season. The Magic then began a stretch where they did not win or lose consecutive games for almost the entire month. The Magic did make a deal at the trade deadline with the Houston Rockets
for Rafer Alston
. Still having to deal with the absence of Nelson though, Orlando managed to maintain one of the top records in the league, secured a second straight winning season, and clinched a playoff berth in mid-March. The Magic defeated the defending world champion Boston Celtics
to capture their second consecutive division championship, and on the same night assured themselves of winning more games than the previous season. Finishing the regular season with a 59–23 record, it was the most games the team had won in a season since the 1995–96 season in which they had 60 wins.
in the first round of the playoffs
. With the series tied at two wins for each team, Game 5 saw an incident in the 1st quarter involving Dwight Howard
throwing an elbow at 76ers center Samuel Dalembert
. Howard was assessed a technical foul
but was not ejected from the game. The NBA reviewed the play and suspended Howard for Game 6. A second incident involving an elbow from Dwight Howard happened in Game 5 not long after the elbow to Dalembert. This time however, Magic rookie Courtney Lee
was the recipient of the hit from his teammate. Lee left the game and did not return. Suffering a fractured sinus, it was announced that Lee was expected to have surgery and could miss the remainder of the postseason. Neither player's absence would prove costly to Orlando in Game 6, who won the series with a blowout on the road, and Lee returned to action in the next series wearing a protective face mask, such as one worn by Richard Hamilton
.
In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Magic faced the defending champion Boston Celtics
. Facing a 3–2 series deficit, the Magic tied the series with a home game victory in Game 6 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals by winning Game 7 on the road, ending Boston's 32-0 undefeated record when leading the series 3-2. Assistant Coach Patrick Ewing
had guaranteed a win in Game 7.
Returning to the conference finals for the first time since 1996, the Magic's opponent was the Cleveland Cavaliers
, who compiled the league's best regular season record led by the season's MVP, LeBron James
. That didn't stop the Magic as they closed the series out at home in Game 6, winning 103-90 as Dwight Howard
scored 40 points, a career high for him in a playoff game. The Magic won the series 4-2, the Eastern Conference championship, and the right to face the Los Angeles Lakers
in the 2009 NBA Finals
.
After dropping the first two games in the series, the Magic finally won their first ever game in the finals in Game 3. With the franchise losing their first six finals games 1995 and 2009 combined, it was the second most games a team had lost in the finals before earning their first win. However, in Game 4 the Magic lost to the Lakers 99-91 in overtime; the Lakers took a 3-1 series lead and won again in Game 5, thus ending the Magic's longest playoff run in team history and ending up 1-8 in the Finals.
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| style="width:140px"|Player || style="width:70px"|Signed || style="width:210px"|Former team
|- style="height:40px"
|Mickael Pietrus || style="font-size: 80%"| July 9||Golden State Warriors
|- style="height:40px"
|Anthony Johnson || style="font-size: 80%"| July 15||Sacramento Kings
|}
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
| style="width:140px"|Player || style="width:70px"|Left || style="width:210px"|New team
|- style="height:40px"
| Carlos Arroyo || style="font-size: 80%"| August 4 || Maccabi Tel Aviv
|}
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA).
Key dates
- June 26: The 2008 NBA Draft2008 NBA DraftThe 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...
took place in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New YorkNew YorkNew 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...
. - 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 started. - October 29: The Magic opened the season with a game against the Atlanta HawksAtlanta HawksThe Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
. - December 12: Because of a sore left knee, Dwight HowardDwight HowardDwight 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...
missed the first game of his professional career, ending a streak of 351 consecutive games played in. - January 13: The Magic scored an NBA record 23 three-pointers against the Sacramento KingsSacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. Nine of the twelve Magic players who played that night scored at least one three pointer: Jameer NelsonJameer NelsonJameer 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...
(5), J.J. RedickJ.J. RedickJonathan Clay "J. J." Redick is an American professional basketball player at the shooting guard position who plays for the Orlando Magic. He was selected 11th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2006 NBA Draft. During his collegiate years, Redick played for Duke University...
(4), Keith BogansKeith BogansKeith Ramon Bogans is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Chicago Bulls.-High school and college:...
(4), Hedo Türkoğlu (3), 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:...
(3), Courtney LeeCourtney LeeCourtney Lee is an American basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 22nd pick overall in the 2008 NBA Draft...
(1), Anthony JohnsonAnthony Johnson (basketball)Anthony Mark Johnson is an American professional basketball player who most recently played with the Orlando Magic of the NBA. Johnson is a 6'3" point guard. He found success in pro basketball, becoming the first NBA D-League player to participate in a NBA Finals...
(1), Brian CookBrian CookBrian 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...
(1), and Jeremy RichardsonJeremy RichardsonJeremy Terrell Richardson is an American professional basketball player for BC Armia. He is a 6'7", 210 lb. swingman and he has played in the National Basketball Association with the Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic.- Collegiate...
(1). - February 2: Jameer NelsonJameer NelsonJameer 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...
left a game after dislocating his right shoulder. One day later, it was announced that he suffered a torn labrum, and would require surgery to repair it, meaning he would likely miss the rest of the season. A few days prior to the injury, Nelson had been named as a reserve in the All-Star Game2009 NBA All-Star GameThe 2009 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game played on February 15, 2009 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Phoenix Suns. The game was the 58th edition of the National Basketball Association All-Star Game and was played during the 2008–09 NBA season...
. - February 19: As part of a three-way trade, the Magic acquired Rafer AlstonRafer AlstonRafer Jamel Alston is an American former professional basketball player who last played with Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association. He previously played for six NBA teams...
from the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
. - February 25: The Magic were assured a winning season after defeating the New York KnicksNew York KnicksThe New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. - March 11: The Magic clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Chicago BullsChicago BullsThe Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
. - March 25: After beating the Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, the Magic clinched their second consecutive division championship. With the win, they were also guaranteed of finishing the regular season with more wins than the previous season. - April 15: The regular season ended, with the Magic finishing one win shy of matching a franchise record.
- April 21: Dwight Howard won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year AwardNBA Defensive Player of the Year AwardThe National Basketball Association's Defensive Player of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1982–83 NBA season, to the top defensive player of the regular season...
, becoming the youngest player to win the award as well as the first player of the Magic to do so. - April 28: Rookie Courtney LeeCourtney LeeCourtney Lee is an American basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 22nd pick overall in the 2008 NBA Draft...
was accidentally hit in the face by Dwight Howard during Game 5 of the Magic's first round playoff series. The following day it was announced he would miss Game 6, suffering a fractured sinus. - April 29: Dwight Howard was suspended for one game by the NBA for an incident in which Howard elbowed a Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
player in the face the previous night in Game 5 of the Magic's first round playoff series. - April 30: The Magic advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs after defeating the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
in 6 games. - May 17: In a Game 7 on the road, the Magic advanced to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 1996 after defeating the defending world champion Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
. - May 30: The Magic defeated the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
4-2 to advance to the 2009 NBA Finals2009 NBA FinalsThe 2009 NBA Finals was the National Basketball Association championship series for the 2008-09 season. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Los Angeles Lakers, champions of the Western Conference and defending Western Conference champions, and the Orlando Magic, champions of the...
and made their first appearance since 19951995 NBA FinalsThe 1995 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1994–95 NBA season. The series pitted the Orlando Magic against the Houston Rockets. The pre-series hype and build-up of the Finals was centered around the meeting of the two centers Shaquille O'Neal of the Magic and Hakeem Olajuwon of the Rockets...
. - June 9: The Magic earned their first NBA FinalsNBA FinalsThe NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association . The series was named the NBA World Championship Series until 1986....
game victory in franchise history. They beat the Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles LakersThe 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...
in Game 3 at Amway Arena by a score of 108-104. The Magic shot an NBA Finals single-game record 75% in the first half, and a record 62.5% for the entire game. The Magic had lost their first six NBA Finals games (four in 1995 and two in 2009). - June 14: The Magic's season ended, having lost the NBA FinalsNBA FinalsThe NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association . The series was named the NBA World Championship Series until 1986....
in five games to the Lakers.
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | Courtney Lee Courtney Lee Courtney Lee is an American basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 22nd pick overall in the 2008 NBA Draft... |
Shooting Guard Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
American United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
WKU |
Roster
Traded out during season: 10. Bogans, KeithKeith Bogans
Keith Ramon Bogans is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Chicago Bulls.-High school and college:...
(SG)
43. Cook, BrianBrian 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...
(PF)
29. Wilks, MikeMike Wilks (basketball)
Michael Sharod Wilks, Jr. is an American professional basketball point guard who is currently a free agent.- College career :...
(G)
Depth chart
| Pos. | Starter | Bench | Reserve | Inactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C 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... |
Dwight Howard Dwight 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... |
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... |
Adonal Foyle Adonal Foyle Adonal David Foyle is a retired Vincentian-American former professional basketball center. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the eighth overall selection of the 1997 NBA Draft. He played ten seasons with the team until the team bought out his contract on August 13, 2007. At the... |
|
| PF Power forward (basketball) Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low... |
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:... |
Tony Battie Tony Battie Demetrius Antonio Battie is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Philadelphia 76ers.-High school and college career:... |
||
| SF 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... |
Hedo Türkoğlu | Mickaël Piétrus Mickaël Piétrus Mickaël Piétrus is a Caribbean-French professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. He is listed at 6'6", 215 pounds and plays both the small forward and shooting guard positions... |
||
| SG Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
Courtney Lee Courtney Lee Courtney Lee is an American basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 22nd pick overall in the 2008 NBA Draft... |
J. J. Redick | Jeremy Richardson Jeremy Richardson Jeremy Terrell Richardson is an American professional basketball player for BC Armia. He is a 6'7", 210 lb. swingman and he has played in the National Basketball Association with the Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic.- Collegiate... |
|
| PG Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
Rafer Alston Rafer Alston Rafer Jamel Alston is an American former professional basketball player who last played with Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association. He previously played for six NBA teams... |
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... |
Anthony Johnson Anthony Johnson (basketball) Anthony Mark Johnson is an American professional basketball player who most recently played with the Orlando Magic of the NBA. Johnson is a 6'3" point guard. He found success in pro basketball, becoming the first NBA D-League player to participate in a NBA Finals... |
Tyronn Lue Tyronn Lue Tyronn Jamar Lue is a former American professional basketball player who last played for the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association... |
Regular season
The first half of the 2008–09 season went very well for the Magic. After 41 games, the Magic were 33–8, leading the Southeast Division, as well as having one of the top four records in the league. On January 13, 2009, they scored an NBA record 23 three-pointersThree-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
against the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. Nine of the twelve Magic players who played that night scored at least one three pointer. At the start of February, 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...
, their all-star starting point guard, went down with a shoulder injury which caused him to miss the remainder of the season. The Magic then began a stretch where they did not win or lose consecutive games for almost the entire month. The Magic did make a deal at the trade deadline with the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
for Rafer Alston
Rafer Alston
Rafer Jamel Alston is an American former professional basketball player who last played with Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association. He previously played for six NBA teams...
. Still having to deal with the absence of Nelson though, Orlando managed to maintain one of the top records in the league, secured a second straight winning season, and clinched a playoff berth in mid-March. The Magic defeated the defending world champion Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
to capture their second consecutive division championship, and on the same night assured themselves of winning more games than the previous season. Finishing the regular season with a 59–23 record, it was the most games the team had won in a season since the 1995–96 season in which they had 60 wins.
Playoffs
The Magic drew the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
in the first round of the playoffs
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
. With the series tied at two wins for each team, Game 5 saw an incident in the 1st quarter involving Dwight Howard
Dwight 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...
throwing an elbow at 76ers center Samuel Dalembert
Samuel Dalembert
Samuel Davis Dalembert is a Haitian Canadian professional basketball player who most recently played center for the NBA's Sacramento Kings. Dalembert began playing in Montreal, Quebec and played college basketball at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, United States...
. Howard was assessed a technical foul
Technical foul
In basketball, a technical foul is any infraction of the rules penalized as a foul which does not involve physical contact during the course of play between players on the court, or is a foul by a non-player. The most common technical foul is for unsportsmanlike conduct...
but was not ejected from the game. The NBA reviewed the play and suspended Howard for Game 6. A second incident involving an elbow from Dwight Howard happened in Game 5 not long after the elbow to Dalembert. This time however, Magic rookie Courtney Lee
Courtney Lee
Courtney Lee is an American basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 22nd pick overall in the 2008 NBA Draft...
was the recipient of the hit from his teammate. Lee left the game and did not return. Suffering a fractured sinus, it was announced that Lee was expected to have surgery and could miss the remainder of the postseason. Neither player's absence would prove costly to Orlando in Game 6, who won the series with a blowout on the road, and Lee returned to action in the next series wearing a protective face mask, such as one worn by Richard Hamilton
Richard Hamilton (basketball)
Richard "Rip" Hamilton is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Detroit Pistons. Hamilton is 6'7" tall, weighs 193 lbs , and plays shooting guard. He currently is the Pistons' team captain....
.
In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Magic faced the defending champion Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
. Facing a 3–2 series deficit, the Magic tied the series with a home game victory in Game 6 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals by winning Game 7 on the road, ending Boston's 32-0 undefeated record when leading the series 3-2. Assistant Coach Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player and current assistant coach for the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. He played most of his career with the NBA's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle...
had guaranteed a win in Game 7.
Returning to the conference finals for the first time since 1996, the Magic's opponent was the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, who compiled the league's best regular season record led by the season's MVP, LeBron James
LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . Nicknamed "King James", he was a three-time "Mr. Basketball" of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a...
. That didn't stop the Magic as they closed the series out at home in Game 6, winning 103-90 as Dwight Howard
Dwight 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...
scored 40 points, a career high for him in a playoff game. The Magic won the series 4-2, the Eastern Conference championship, and the right to face 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...
in the 2009 NBA Finals
2009 NBA Finals
The 2009 NBA Finals was the National Basketball Association championship series for the 2008-09 season. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Los Angeles Lakers, champions of the Western Conference and defending Western Conference champions, and the Orlando Magic, champions of the...
.
After dropping the first two games in the series, the Magic finally won their first ever game in the finals in Game 3. With the franchise losing their first six finals games 1995 and 2009 combined, it was the second most games a team had lost in the finals before earning their first win. However, in Game 4 the Magic lost to the Lakers 99-91 in overtime; the Lakers took a 3-1 series lead and won again in Game 5, thus ending the Magic's longest playoff run in team history and ending up 1-8 in the Finals.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwight Howard | 23 | 23 | 39.3 | .601 | .000 | .636 | 15.30 | 1.9 | 0.87 | 2.61 | 20.3 |
| Rashard Lewis | 24 | 24 | 41.1 | .448 | .394 | .784 | 6.4 | 2.9 | 1.04 | .54 | 19.0 |
| Hedo Turkoglu | 24 | 24 | 38.9 | .427 | .386 | .817 | 4.50 | 4.8 | .75 | .17 | 15.8 |
| Rafer Alston | 23 | 23 | 32.2 | .380 | .319 | .750 | 2.40 | 4.1 | 1.43 | .17 | 12.2 |
| Mickael Pietrus | 24 | 0 | 25.8 | .483 | .385 | .723 | 2.60 | .6 | .75 | .54 | 10.5 |
| Courtney Lee | 21 | 16 | 26.2 | .435 | .273 | .885 | 1.90 | 1.3 | .90 | .14 | 8.0 |
| J.J. Redick | 16 | 8 | 20.4 | .373 | .404 | .929 | 1.20 | 1.9 | .50 | .06 | 6.0 |
| Tyronn Lue | 1 | 0 | 4.0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | .000 | .00 | .0 | .00 | .00 | 5.0 |
| Anthony Johnson | 19 | 1 | 14.7 | .376 | .300 | .500 | 1.40 | 2.1 | .58 | .00 | 4.3 |
| Jameer Nelson | 5 | 0 | 18.0 | .348 | .167 | .500 | 1.40 | 2.8 | .20 | .00 | 3.8 |
| Marcin Gortat | 24 | 1 | 11.3 | .654 | .000 | .625 | 3.20 | .1 | .38 | .63 | 3.3 |
| Tony Battie | 21 | 0 | 6.1 | .467 | .000 | .600 | 1.00 | .1 | .00 | .14 | 2.1 |
| Adonal Foyle | 2 | 0 | 2.0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .50 | .0 | .00. | .00 | .0 |
| Jeremy Richardson | 1 | 0 | 2.0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .00 | .0 | .00 | .00 | .0 |
Trades
| July 11, 2008 |
To New Jersey Nets New Jersey Nets The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association... Keyon Dooling Keyon Dooling Keyon Latwae Dooling is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks.-Basketball career:... |
To 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... Cash considerations |
|
| February 5, 2009 |
To Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee Bucks The 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.... Keith Bogans Keith Bogans Keith Ramon Bogans is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Chicago Bulls.-High school and college:... |
To 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... Tyronn Lue Tyronn Lue Tyronn Jamar Lue is a former American professional basketball player who last played for the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association... |
|
| February 19, 2009 |
To Memphis Grizzlies Memphis Grizzlies The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's... Orlando 1st round pick (2009) Adonal Foyle Adonal Foyle Adonal David Foyle is a retired Vincentian-American former professional basketball center. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the eighth overall selection of the 1997 NBA Draft. He played ten seasons with the team until the team bought out his contract on August 13, 2007. At the... (re-signed with Orlando) Mike Wilks Mike Wilks (basketball) Michael Sharod Wilks, Jr. is an American professional basketball point guard who is currently a free agent.- College career :... |
To Houston Rockets Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being... Kyle Lowry Kyle Lowry Kyle Lowry is an American professional basketball player with the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. He attended Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia where former Rocket Cuttino Mobley went. He was selected by the Grizzlies with the 24th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft... 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... |
To 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... Rafer Alston Rafer Alston Rafer Jamel Alston is an American former professional basketball player who last played with Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association. He previously played for six NBA teams... |
Additions
{| cellspacing="0"| valign="top" |
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
| style="width:140px"|Player || style="width:70px"|Signed || style="width:210px"|Former team
|- style="height:40px"
|Mickael Pietrus || style="font-size: 80%"| July 9||Golden State Warriors
|- style="height:40px"
|Anthony Johnson || style="font-size: 80%"| July 15||Sacramento Kings
|}
Subtractions
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
| style="width:140px"|Player || style="width:70px"|Left || style="width:210px"|New team
|- style="height:40px"
| Carlos Arroyo || style="font-size: 80%"| August 4 || Maccabi Tel Aviv
|}