SportsLine.com Report
April 20, 2000

It didn't end like they wanted it, the miracle ride coming to an end with the home loss to Milwaukee that finally cut the throat on the Magic's stunning charge toward the playoffs.

Still, the Orlando season has to be considered a huge success. After all, nobody thought first-year coach Doc Rivers would even be competitive with a group of no-name players who were essentially filling space until the big free agent splurge this summer. Turned out the chemistry was excellent, and the 12 guys on the team put forth maximum effort just about every night.

And Rivers had them in the eighth playoff seed in the Eastern Conference for most of the final month of the season.

Now, that the dream of postseason is dead, the talk will turn to whether or not Rivers can lure free agent-to-be Tim Duncan to Orlando. If he can, this team could be playing for a championship next season.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT: Magic won seven games in an unusually long eight-game homestand late in the season, including a 94-69 win over Miami, plus impressive victories over San Antonio and Philadelphia.

SEASON LOWLIGHT: Two losses in the final 10 days to the Milwaukee Bucks. That kept the Magic from making the playoffs.

There was also a five-game losing streak in late February, including a 127-91 drubbing at Seattle, and a 111-92 loss at Portland.

KEY STAT: Magic finished 15-26 on the road.

The Personnel File

MVP: Point guard Darrell Armstrong, a marginal NBA player three years ago, has become an above-average NBA point guard and a terrific leader.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: (Tie). Center John Amaechi, who played the past three years in Europe, beat out Michael Doleac for the starting center job in early January and proved very competent in the role. Backup point guard Chucky Atkins, who wasn't even in the league last season, provided scoring off the bench.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Two of the 1998 No. 1 draft choices -- Doleac and Matt Harpring -- made limited contributions. Harpring spent nearly all of the season on the injured list with an ankle injury. Doleac lost the starting center job, although he delivered some solid performances late in the year.

COACH: In his first coaching job, Doc Rivers did a marvelous job getting the absolute most out of his talent. He earned the respect of his players, and adeptly used nearly all of his bench. Rivers made nearly every player feel he had a significant role. Rivers will earn some votes for coach of the year.

Offseason tinkering

FREE-AGENT MARKET: The Magic's hopes of joining the NBA elite likely will be determined by their success on the free-agent market. Orlando will have up to $18 million in cap space. The Magic have two options -- sign two marquee free agents; or sign one marquee free agent, sign one average free agent, and re-sign guard Ron Mercer.

Also, the Magic have three No. 1 draft choices. So expect some roster turnover. Most likely players to go? Derek Strong, Johnny Taylor, and perhaps Harpring and Chauncey Billups. The nucleus will include Armstrong and rookie Corey Maggette.

Orlando's No. 1 target is Spurs center Tim Duncan, who is said to be seriously considering Orlando. If the Magic can sign Duncan, the summer will be a huge success, regardless of any other moves.

Next on Orlando's list are Pistons forward Grant Hill, Hornets guard Eddie Jones, and Raptors guard Tracy McGrady. Jones figures to be the most likely option in that group. McGrady reportedly is leaning toward the Bulls, and Hill has never given an indication that he is considering Orlando.

Orlando would be thrilled to sign Duncan and Jones. If that doesn't happen, the Magic will consider other free agents, including Clippers Maurice Taylor and Derek Anderson and Indiana's Jalen Rose and Austin Croshere.

The Magic will try to re-sign Atkins, Amaechi, Bo Outlaw and Ben Wallace. Atkins and Amaechi might be difficult to keep because of salary-cap restrictions limiting what teams can pay players who have played only one year for their current team.

The cases of Mercer and Billups are a bit more complicated. Both are intriguing talents, but there might not be enough money for either if the Magic can land two of the free-agent stars. Billups did not play after being acquired from Denver because of a shoulder injury.

DRAFT: The Magic have three lottery picks -- its own, Denver's, and Golden State's. Orlando says it might trade some of those picks if it chooses to retain more of its current roster.