The Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, Florida’s two professional basketball teams. Although these two franchises inhabit the same U.S State, their 2021-22 seasons couldn’t be any more different. For the Miami Heat, they are enjoying one of the finest seasons in franchise history, as they currently sit at the top of the Eastern Conference and have been dominating. Straight to the bottom of the conference, you can find the Orlando Magic, who are occupying last place in the conference and have the worst record in the NBA at 9-39. So what is it that makes these two teams so vastly different?
First, the clear-cut reason is the sheer star power Miami has been able to attract to it’s team over the years. Ever since Shaq came over to win a ring with Dwayne Wade, it seems the Heat have always been contenders. There’s no shortage of stars who have made their way to the Heat in search of securing an NBA Championship. Let’s just look at some of these names for a second; Lebron James, Chris Bosh, Gary Payton, Ray Allen, Jason Williams, Jimmy Butler, and Kyle Lowry (if I’m forgetting anybody please let me know)!
As you can see, the Heat have been a haven for talent. Can we say the same for the Magic? Aside from “Penny” Hardaway, Shaq, and Dwight Howard when he was in his prime, I cannot for the life of me remember when Orlando had a legitimate NBA Superstar. Although they do have excellent players, I don’t believe they have enough to start winning games, as their current record proves.
Second, there is a certain culture that Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra has built over the years since he took over the head coaching reigns, and every year it seems to affect his team in a positive way. Since Spoelstra took over in 2009, the Heat have gone to the playoffs 8 of the 11 seasons he has been heading the coaching, and have only been under .500 twice. Mix that in with three NBA Finals appearances and two championships and you have a dynasty on your hands.
As for the Magic, they haven’t been so successful in building a culture centered around winning. Since losing to the Los Angles Lakers in the 2009 NBA Finals the Magic have only been a plus .500 team three times since. The last 12 seasons have been filled with nothing pain and agony for Orlando fans, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better anytime soon.
As of now, they house a slew of young NBA stars who are just starting to gain their footing in the NBA. Players like Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Mo Bamba, Gary Harris, and Jonathan Isaac. This young core will take some time to develop and find their rhythm, but five years down the line they may really come into their own and be a rising team in the NBA, contending for NBA championships. The key thing, in this case, is the patience needed to see this team grow and develop.
A tale of two NBA cities, Miami and Orlando, two vastly different teams whose fans are in vastly different moods at the moment. For the Heat, my word of advice is to enjoy the ride. For the Magic, my word of advice would be to be patient and wait for something magical (pun not intended) to come this franchise’s way.