Editing Orlando Magic (section)

===1996–1999: The post-Shaq/Penny Hardaway era===
In the off-season, O'Neal left as a [[free agent]] to the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], dealing a huge blow to the Magic franchise.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-19-sp-25797-story.html|title=Lakers Hit The Shaqpot|first=Mark|last=Heisler|date=July 19, 1996|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=December 26, 2013|archive-date=December 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230232614/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-07-19/sports/sp-25797_1_los-angeles-lakers|url-status=live}}</ref> In the middle of the season, urged by player discontent, management fired coach [[Brian Hill (basketball)|Brian Hill]] and named [[Richie Adubato]] as interim coach for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/02/18/Orlando-fires-Hill-Adubato-takes-over/9333856242000/ |title=Orlando fires Hill; Adubato takes over |website=UPI.com |date=February 18, 1997 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}</ref> Under Adubato, the Magic went 21–12 to compile a 45–37 record, led by [[Penny Hardaway]]. In the playoffs, the Magic quickly fell 0–2 to the heavily favored Miami Heat in the first round, but Hardaway battled back with consecutive 40-point games to assure a game five (the first player to do so), which the Magic ultimately lost.<ref name=grantland/>

The Magic then hired [[Chuck Daly]] to be head coach for the [[1997–98 NBA season|1997–98 season]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/06/02/daly-reconsiders-takes-magic-job-former-pistons-coach-gets-3-year-15-million-deal/|title=Daly reconsiders, takes Magic job Former Pistons coach gets 3-year, $15 million deal|date=June 2, 1997|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|access-date=December 26, 2013|archive-date=December 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001122/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-06-02/sports/1997153097_1_daly-pistons-coach-nba|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, Hall of Famer [[Julius Erving]] joined the Magic's front office, giving Orlando hope for a successful season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/06/sports/erving-joins-the-magic-s-front-office.html |title=Erving Joins the Magic's Front Office |website=The New York Times |date=June 6, 1997 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}</ref> The season was hampered by an injury to Hardaway who sat out the majority of the season. Anderson, combined with newly acquired free agent [[Bo Outlaw]], led the team to a 41–41 record, just out of reach of the NBA playoffs. In addition, [[Rony Seikaly]] was traded during the season to the [[New Jersey Nets]] for three role players and a future draft pick.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1998/02/20/seikaly-bounces-to-nets-and-it-looks-as-if-hell-go/|title=Seikaly Bounces To Nets, And It Looks As If He'll Go|first=Tim|last=Povtak|date=February 20, 1998|work=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|access-date=December 26, 2013|archive-date=December 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235219/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-02-20/news/9802200450_1_rony-seikaly-utah-jazz-magic|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[1998–99 NBA season|1998–99]], with the drafting of [[Michael Doleac]] and [[Matt Harpring]] with the 12th and 15th picks in the [[1998 NBA Draft|1998 draft]], and a healthy Penny Hardaway and Nick Anderson, the Magic tied for the Eastern Conference's best record with the [[Miami Heat]] in the lockout-shortened season, 33–17. At the heart of the team was veteran and future Orlando Magic Hall of Famer [[Darrell Armstrong]], leading from the vanguard (a constant that Orlando fans would enjoy for a decade) and picking up the NBA's [[Sixth-Man]] and [[NBA Most Improved Player Award|Most Improved Player]] awards along the way.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/05/11/armstrong-wins-sixth-man-award/ |title=Armstrong wins Sixth Man award |website=Tampa Bay Times |date=May 11, 1999 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1999/05/20/armstrong-earns-award-as-most-improved-player/ |title=ARMSTRONG EARNS AWARD AS MOST IMPROVED PLAYER |website=Orlando Sentinel |date=May 20, 1999 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}</ref> Orlando also acquired NBA great [[Dominique Wilkins]], along with brother Gerald, who were past their primes but were both still serviceable NBA players.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/report-magic-to-sign-wilkins/ |title=
Report: Magic To Sign Wilkins |website=CBS News |date=February 4, 1999 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}</ref> In the playoffs the Penny Hardaway-led Magic were seeded number 3 because of tiebreakers and faced the [[Philadelphia 76ers]]. The 76ers, led by [[Allen Iverson]], upset the Magic 3–1 in the first round.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1999/05/16/76ers-101-magic-91/|title=76ers 101, Magic 91|first=Tim|last=Povtak|date=May 16, 1999|work=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|access-date=December 26, 2013|archive-date=December 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234710/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1999-05-16/news/9905160136_1_magic-hardaway-76ers|url-status=live}}</ref> The team also changed their uniforms for the first time ever, changing from pinstripes to stars.