The 1997 Orlando Magic roster featured a talented group of players that had a successful season. The team was led by head coach Chuck Daly and finished the regular season with a record of 45-37. The Magic made it to the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by the Miami Heat. One of the standout players on the roster was center Shaquille O'Neal. O'Neal was a dominant force on the court, averaging 28.3 points, 11.
1997 orlando magic roster
Nick Anderson was selected as the #11 pick in the First Round of the 1989 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. Nick Anderson signed a multi-year contract with the Orlando Magic on August 1, 1989. Nick Anderson signed a multi-year extension with the Orlando Magic on March 5, 1993. Nick Anderson re-signed to a multi-year contract as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on September 13, 1997.
Johnny Taylor was selected as the #17 pick in the First Round of the 1997 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. Johnny Taylor signed a multi-year contract with the Orlando Magic on July 23, 1997.
Draft Rights to Penny Hardaway, the #3 pick in the First Round of the 1993 NBA Draft, were acquired by the Orlando Magic from the Golden State Warriors on June 30, 1993. Penny Hardaway signed a multi-year contract with the Orlando Magic on October 10, 1993. Penny Hardaway re-signed to a multi-year contract as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on October 15, 1994.
Draft Rights to Jason Lawson, the #13 pick in the Second Round of the 1997 NBA Draft, were acquired by the Orlando Magic from the Denver Nuggets on June 25, 1997. Jason Lawson signed a contract with the Orlando Magic on September 5, 1997.
David Benoit was acquired in a trade by the Orlando Magic from the New Jersey Nets on February 19, 1998.
Kevin Edwards was acquired in a trade by the Orlando Magic from the New Jersey Nets on February 19, 1998.
Derek Harper was acquired in a trade by the Orlando Magic from the Dallas Mavericks on September 24, 1997.
Mark Price was acquired in a trade by the Orlando Magic from the Golden State Warriors on October 27, 1997.
Darrell Armstrong signed a contract with the Orlando Magic on April 8, 1995. Darrell Armstrong re-signed to a contract as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on September 22, 1995. Darrell Armstrong re-signed to a multi-year contract as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on August 17, 1996.
Horace Grant signed a multi-year contract with the Orlando Magic on September 19, 1994. Horace Grant re-signed to a multi-year contract as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on August 14, 1996.
Kevin Ollie signed a contract with the Orlando Magic on March 2, 1998. Kevin Ollie re-signed to a contract as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on March 12, 1998. Kevin Ollie re-signed to a contract as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on March 22, 1998.
Bo Outlaw signed a multi-year contract as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on September 5, 1997.
Danny Schayes signed a contract with the Orlando Magic on October 19, 1996. Danny Schayes re-signed to a contract as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on September 10, 1997.
Derek Strong signed a contract with the Orlando Magic on August 26, 1996. Derek Strong re-signed to a contract as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on July 17, 1997.
Gerald Wilkins signed a contract with the Orlando Magic on July 31, 1996. Gerald Wilkins re-signed to a contract as a free agent with the Orlando Magic on August 6, 1997.
3 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.
1997-1998 Orlando Magic Front Office
| Staff Member | Position | Start Season | Previous Job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rich DeVos | Owner | 1991-1992 | N/A |
| Chuck Daly | Head Coach | 1997-1998 | Head Coach (Brooklyn Nets, 1992 to 1994) |
| Tom Sterner | Assistant Coach | 2005-2006 | Lead Assistant Coach (Golden State Warriors, 2002 to 2005) |
| Brendan Suhr | Assistant Coach | 1997-1998 | Assistant Coach (Toronto Raptors, 1996 to 1997) |
| Travis Schlenk | Basketball Operations Assistant | 1997-1998 | N/A |
| John Gabriel | Scout | 1987-1988 | N/A |
| Rodney Powell | Equipment Manager | 1989-1990 | N/A |
| Tim Walsh | Athletic Trainer | 1997-1998 | N/A |
| David Steele | Radio Broadcaster | 1989-1990 | N/A |
1997-98 Orlando Magic Roster
National Basketball Association (NBA)
Team Record: 41-41
Finishing 5th in the NBA's Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference
Coach: Chuck Daly (41-41)
Location: Orlando, Florida
Attendance: 701,647, Avg. 17,113 in 41 home dates
The Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association ended the 1997-98 season with a record of 41 wins and 41 losses, finishing fifth in the NBA's Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
Orlando racked up 7,387 points and yielded 7,475. Horace Grant netted a team-leading 921 points for the Magic, while Nick Anderson scored 14 or more per game, too. Bo Outlaw racked up 637 rebounds. Mark Price dished out 297 assists for the squad.
On defense, Bo Outlaw added 107 thefts and rejected a team-best 181 opposing shots.
Chuck Daly coached the team.
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| Player | Pos. | Birth Date | Height | Weight | College | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Anderson | F-G | January 20, 1968 | 6'6" | 205 | Illinois | Chicago, IL USA |
| Darrell Armstrong | G | June 22, 1968 | 6'0" | 169 | Fayetteville State | Gastonia, NC USA |
| David Benoit | F | May 9, 1968 | 6'8" | 220 | Alabama | Lafayette, LA USA |
| Kevin Edwards | G | October 30, 1965 | 6'3" | 190 | DePaul | Cleveland Heights, OH USA |
| Brian Evans | F | September 13, 1973 | 6'8" | 220 | Indiana | Rockford, IL USA |
| Horace Grant | F-C | July 4, 1965 | 6'10" | 215 | Clemson | Augusta, GA USA |
| Anfernee Hardaway | G-F | July 18, 1971 | 6'7" | 195 | Memphis State | Memphis, TN USA |
| Derek Harper | G | October 13, 1961 | 6'4" | 185 | Illinois | Elberton, GA USA |
| Tim Kempton | F-C | January 25, 1964 | 6'10" | 245 | Notre Dame | Jamaica, NY USA |
| Jason Lawson | C | September 2, 1974 | 6'11" | 240 | Villanova | Philadelphia, PA USA |
| Vernon Maxwell | G | September 12, 1965 | 6'4" | 180 | Florida | Gainesville, FL USA |
| Kevin Ollie | G | December 27, 1972 | 6'4" | 195 | Connecticut | Dallas, TX USA |
| Bo Outlaw | F-C | April 13, 1971 | 6'8" | 210 | Houston | San Antonio, TX USA |
| Mark Price | G | February 15, 1964 | 6'0" | 170 | Georgia Tech | Bartlesville, OK USA |
| Donald Royal | F | May 22, 1966 | 6'8" | 210 | Notre Dame | New Orleans, LA USA |
| Danny Schayes | C-F | May 10, 1959 | 6'11" | 235 | Syracuse | Syracuse, NY USA |
| Rony Seikaly | C | May 10, 1965 | 6'11" | 230 | Syracuse | Beirut, LIB |
| Derek Strong | F | February 9, 1968 | 6'8" | 220 | Xavier (OH) | Los Angeles, CA USA |
| Johnny Taylor | F | June 4, 1974 | 6'8" | 220 | Tennessee-Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN USA |
| Carl Thomas | G | October 3, 1969 | 6'4" | 175 | Eastern Michigan | Dayton, OH USA |
| Spud Webb | G | July 13, 1963 | 5'6" | 130 | North Carolina State | Dallas, TX USA |
| Gerald Wilkins | G-F | September 11, 1963 | 6'6" | 185 | Tennessee-Chattanooga | Atlanta, GA USA |
1997 orlando magic roster
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He was selected to the All-NBA First Team and was named an All-Star. Another key player on the roster was shooting guard Penny Hardaway. Hardaway was a versatile player who could score, assist, and rebound. He averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. Hardaway was also selected to the All-NBA Third Team and was named an All-Star. Other notable players on the roster included forward Horace Grant, guard Nick Anderson, and power forward Dennis Scott. Grant provided solid defense and rebounding, while Anderson was a reliable scorer and perimeter defender. Scott was a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, known for his ability to knock down three-pointers. Despite the talent on the roster, the Magic struggled in the playoffs and were unable to advance past the first round. This marked the end of an era for the team, as O'Neal left to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency during the offseason. Overall, the 1997 Orlando Magic roster had a strong regular season but fell short in the playoffs. The team was led by O'Neal and Hardaway, two of the top players in the league at the time. Although they didn't achieve their ultimate goal of winning a championship, this roster is still remembered as one of the most talented in franchise history..
Reviews for "Remembering the Best Moments from the 1997 Orlando Magic Roster"
1. John - 1 out of 5 stars
The 1997 Orlando Magic roster was a complete disappointment. The team lacked cohesion and chemistry, resulting in a lackluster performance on the court. Their inability to execute plays and make crucial shots cost them numerous games. The coaching staff failed to bring out the best in their players, and it was evident in their overall record. The overall talent on the roster was not properly utilized, making the season a forgettable one for Magic fans.
2. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars
As a long-time fan of the Orlando Magic, I was extremely disappointed with the 1997 roster. Despite having some notable players, the team consistently underperformed and failed to live up to expectations. Their offense lacked creativity, relying too heavily on individual talents rather than working together as a unit. Defensively, they struggled to contain opponents and allowed easy buckets. It was frustrating to watch them lose game after game, especially knowing the potential they had. Overall, the 1997 Orlando Magic roster was a letdown, and I hope to see better performances in the future.