The Orlando Magic 2007 roster was a talented group of players who had a successful season. Led by head coach Stan Van Gundy, the team was known for its potent offense and strong defense. At the center position, the Magic had Dwight Howard, a dominant force in the paint. Howard was known for his shot-blocking ability and his athleticism. He was a key player for the team, providing them with a strong presence inside. At the forward positions, the Magic had Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis.

2007-08 Orlando Magic Roster

National Basketball Association (NBA)
Team Record: 52-30
Finishing 1st in the NBA's Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference
Postseason: 5-5 Lost conference semifinals
Conference First Round - Defeated Toronto Raptors 4-1
Conference Semifinals - Lost to Detroit Pistons 4-1
Coach: Stan Van Gundy (52-30)
Location: Orlando, Florida
Attendance: 709,346, Avg. 17,301 in 41 home dates

The Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association ended the 2007-08 season with a record of 52 wins and 30 losses, finishing first in the NBA's Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team compiled a postseason mark of 5-5.

The Magic racked up 8,567 points and gave up 8,119. Dwight Howard netted a team-leading 1,695 points for Orlando, while Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu scored 17 or more per game, too. Dwight Howard contributed 1,161 rebounds. Hedo Turkoglu dished out 409 assists for the squad.

On defense, Rashard Lewis added 99 steals, and Dwight Howard blocked 176 shots.

Stan Van Gundy coached the team. The 2007-08 Orlando Magic lost in the conference semifinals.

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Orlando Magic 35th Anniversary Spotlight: Marcin Gortat

ORLANDO – Orlando Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley consistently preaches the value of accomplishing goals by committee to his team.

He has an inherent faith in players up and down the roster to step up when their name is called upon and deliver for their squad.

Over the course of Magic history, it would be hard to find a player that better exemplifies that trait more than former center Marcin Gortat.

Orlando acquired the rights to the 6-foot-11 big man on the night of the 2005 NBA Draft after he was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 57 th overall pick. With the G League – then known as the D-League – just in its infancy and one-on-one parent club relationships not yet existent, it was less common for unrefined prospects to be sent down for development with those squads.

Thus, Gortat spent his first early years with the Magic franchise refining his skills in Germany and the Euroleague.

“The best thing about my situation playing in Germany was that I was actually playing,” he explained. “That was the best thing. I had a lot of friends and a lot of colleagues coming from the (Polish) National Team that were all going to Spain, Italy, and stronger leagues. But I went into the German league and that’s what made my progress bigger because I was playing 30 to 35 minutes per game. That was great. That helped me extremely.”

After playing in the German league and appearing in three different summer league stints with Orlando, Gortat finally signed with the Magic in 2007, and in early 2008 made his first appearance for the franchise against the New York Knicks.

“The craziest thing was my mom just landed from Poland and she was at the game for the first time in her life and for the first time getting the chance to see me play in the NBA,” he recalled. “The team built a big lead, and everyone was cracking jokes saying we need to build a 30-point lead so that (then Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy) would let me play … The team built that lead and Stan said at the end of the game, ‘let’s go.’ I get into the game. Everybody was pumped up. They ran a play for me on the post and I made a move to the baseline, and I scored my first two points. My mom went crazy. She lost it and started crying. She was so happy that I scored my first points.”

For the next couple of years, Gortat would serve as a backup center to Dwight Howard and gain most of his development by battling against the perennial All-Star in team practices.

“There are four reasons that I became who I am today: Stan Van Gundy, (former Magic assistant coach) Brendan Malone, (former Magic strength and conditioning coach) Joe Rogowski, and Dwight Howard,” Gortat explained. “Each one of them gave me something. Going against Dwight every day in practice without referee whistles was pretty much suicide. We’re talking about Dwight Howard in his prime in practice without whistles. It was just literally hand-to-hand combat. It was like going into a cage with a beast. You needed to have some (confidence) to do that. I was bleeding every practice. I had busted lips, busted teeth, I was cut, scratched, poked in the eye, (and) had tons of bruises. I was beat up every single practice.”

But that intense and relentless training prepared Gortat to handle any moment that would come his way in the NBA.

“He made me better,” Gortat explained. “After Dwight Howard, you go into the game, and I promise you, you don’t have to worry about anybody. There was nobody (at that time) going to be (a tougher matchup) than Dwight Howard.”

And finally in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, a huge moment would come Gortat’s way.

In the middle of a back-and-forth series with the 76ers in the opening round of the postseason, Howard was suspended for a single game for elbowing Philadelphia center Samuel Dalembert. With Orlando’s cornerstone piece out of the lineup and sitting at home, the Magic turned to Gortat in hopes that he could fill in, help his team earn a victory, and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

“I was ready. Having Stan Van Gundy as your coach, he tells you exactly what to do and he gets you ready for the game,” Gortat explained. “Then, you have Brendan Malone, who’s whispering in your ear (and giving you advice). Then, you have Joe Rogowski, who goes through eight months of hard work in the weight room with you. You’re coming out ready. The only thing I had to do was bring the energy and bring the effort.”

Gortat did exactly that. The Polish Hammer lived up to his nickname by capping off a sensational 11-point, 15-rebound, four-steal showing against the 76ers with an emphatic left-handed slam over Dalembert. The Magic would go on to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 114-89 victory.

“We killed them. We smashed them,” Gortat said. “You go through crazy emotions. It’s hard to describe. I can’t even compare it to anything. You feel like you’ve been waiting for this opportunity and then you get the opportunity, and you use it. I worked hard and was constantly preached and told to stay ready. Wait, wait, wait, and be ready. Things will happen. Everybody in this league gets the opportunity to play. And that’s what happened. The opportunity came, I was ready, and I used that chance. … It was a time when I made a name for myself. People started to realize that one day I could be a starter in this league.”

Gortat would go on to play for 12 more seasons in the NBA, eventually also playing for the Phoenix Suns, and then the Washington Wizards, where he would see starter’s minutes. But it was those moments with the Magic that he attributes most for his growth and as some of the most successful times of his career.

“That team was definitely great,” he said. “I made a lot of friends. We built relationships for years. I’m still in touch with 99 percent of the players from that team.”

THOUGHTS ON THE CURRENT MAGIC:

Gortat sees a lot of similarities with this current Magic team and the one he joined back in 2007. He sees a great tandem in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and believes that through consistent internal growth coupled with a move similar to Orlando’s signing of Rashard Lewis that the Magic could soon find themselves once again making runs to The Finals.

“We can build something special,” Gortat explained. “Continue to look for the right trade or another pick in the draft if we can. Try to find another diamond in the rough – another Gortat with the 57 th pick – that would be great. It’s obviously not easy. I think we’re going in a good direction as an organization. We have some nice pieces. The team is young. We just have to continue to build.”

WHERE ARE THEY NOW:

Gortat currently splits his time living in Orlando and Poland. He’s currently doing a lot of work with his MG13 foundation and recently even brought a group of kids from his camp out to a Magic game.

“I’m working with a lot of businesses and doing a lot of foundation and charity stuff,” he explained. “We’ve built good chemistry and friendships with the Orlando Magic. The organization helps me with a lot of stuff with my camps for kids. They invite the kids to games and to the facility. I’m super grateful for everything they do. If the Magic need me at any event or community event, I’m definitely available for them. We’ve built a great relationship.”

“Besides that, I’m also doing a lot of military training (in Poland). I love everything about the military. I like to learn a lot of new stuff. Obviously, we know what situation we have in Ukraine, so – not that I’m preparing for a war – it’s not going to hurt me to know what to do just in case or how to act. I want to learn stuff just to be prepared for the future.”

5 worst starters of the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard era

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 13: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic walks off the court during the game against the Miami Heat at Amway Center on March 13, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic had a championship-contending roster during the Dwight Howard era, peaking with playoff appearances from 2007-12 with an NBA Finals appearance in 2009 and an Eastern Conference Finals run in 2010. The core of Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard formed a dynamic roster of playmaking, shooting and defense.

The front office, specifically former general manager Otis Smith, had a difficult time finding the fifth starter to complete the group. Not to mention retooling on the fly after the team starting breaking apart and after the team needed to keep up with the LeBron James-led Miami Heat.

This will be a reoccurring theme within the article where the Magic took one-year fliers on several players who simply could not complement the starting unit enough to push them over the hump for Orlando to bring home their first title.

At the forward positions, the Magic had Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis. Turkoglu was a versatile player who could score from anywhere on the court. He was also known for his playmaking ability and his ability to create mismatches.

The Dwight Howard era was one of the most successful times in Orlando Magic history. Still the team fell short as it built its roster around its center and sought a way to build the best lineup.

Even after the Magic made their Finals run and traded to bring in Vince Carter, they could not gel as a unit. They lost franchise cornerstone Hedo Turkoglu to the Toronto Raptors via free agency only to bring him back in two years later to much less effect than the first time.

Smith was looking for another guard or small forward who could focus on perimeter defense while also being able to stretch the floor. That proved difficult to find.

If Orlando had considered bringing in a starting-caliber talent to complete the first five, the team’s history and Dwight Howard’s final years with the Magic could have been much different.

Lewis was a skilled shooter and a reliable scorer. He provided the team with a consistent scoring threat. At the guard positions, the Magic had Jameer Nelson and Keith Bogans. Nelson was a quick and crafty point guard who could score and distribute the ball effectively. He was a key facilitator for the team's offense. Bogans was a solid defender and a reliable three-point shooter. The bench also had several key players who contributed to the team's success. Keyon Dooling was a versatile guard who provided energy and toughness off the bench. Carlos Arroyo was a skilled point guard who could provide a scoring punch when needed. Additionally, players like J.J. Redick, Trevor Ariza, and Darko Milicic provided depth and contributed to the team's success. Overall, the Orlando Magic 2007 roster was a talented and well-rounded group of players. They had a successful season, finishing with a record of 52-30 and making it to the playoffs. Although they fell short of their ultimate goal of winning a championship, they were a formidable team that was a joy to watch..

Reviews for "Reliving the Memorable Games of the Orlando Magic's 2007 Roster"

1. Mike - 2 stars - The Orlando Magic 2007 roster was just plain awful. They lacked depth and talent. Their starting lineup was weak and they were unable to compete with other top teams in the league. It was frustrating to watch them struggle night after night. I don't understand how they made it to the playoffs. The management definitely needed to make some changes to improve the team.

2. Sarah - 1 star - The Orlando Magic 2007 roster was a complete disaster. They were unable to find any chemistry or rhythm on the court. The players seemed to lack motivation and didn't give their best effort. It was painful to watch the team collapse in game after game. I was extremely disappointed with their performance and I hope they make significant changes in the offseason.

3. John - 2 stars - The Orlando Magic 2007 roster was one of the weakest lineups I have ever seen. They had no star power and couldn't compete with the top teams in the league. It was clear that they were outmatched in almost every game. The coaching staff also seemed clueless and unable to make any adjustments. It was a frustrating season as a fan, and I hope they make some major changes in the future to improve the team's competitiveness.

4. Lisa - 1 star - The Orlando Magic 2007 roster was a complete disappointment. They lacked any sort of direction or leadership. The team chemistry was nonexistent and it showed in their performance on the court. They were often blown out by opposing teams and had no hope of making it past the first round of the playoffs. It was a frustrating season to watch and I hope they make significant changes in the upcoming seasons to actually be competitive.

The Legacy of the Orlando Magic's 2007 Roster