Orlando Magic to Honor Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway


This being the Orlando Magic’s 25th anniversary as an NBA team, the franchise is reaching out to some of its greatest players. Per the Orlando Sentinel: “No player – well, maybe Dwight Howard – elicits a more emotional response from the Magic’s fan base than O’Neal. The franchise also realizes that Shaq – the club’s first-round pick in 1992 – led the Magic to their first NBA Finals appearance in 1995. The Magic will tip off their ‘Legends Night’ program before their home-opener Nov. 1 against New Orleans when they honor former star Tracy McGrady. The Magic are embracing their past as well as their future, planning to invite other former stars to town, such as Penny Hardaway. They also will acknowledge active alumni who play or coach now for other teams. In the opening month of November, for example, New Orleans coach Monty Williams, a former Magic forward, and power forward Ryan Anderson, face the Magic in the home-opener. On Nov. 6, L.A. Clippers coach Doc Rivers, former Magic coach, and shooting guard J.J. Redick, come to town to take on their former team. The Magic are currently in the midst of conducting a ’25 events in 25 days’ promotion.”