Shaq with the Orlando Magic Shaquille O'Neal, also known as Shaq, had a memorable stint with the Orlando Magic during his early years in the NBA. The Magic drafted him as the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, and he instantly made an impact on the court with his dominant play. At 7 feet 1 inch tall and weighing over 300 pounds, Shaq was a force to be reckoned with. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism made him a nightmare for opposing teams. He was virtually unstoppable in the paint, dunking over defenders and overpowering them with his sheer physicality. During his four seasons with the Magic, Shaq showcased his skills and led the team to the playoffs three times.
When Scott suggested one of Shaq’s billionaire friends should step up to with the money and let them run the show, Shaq eased his former teammate’s financial concerns.
Shaq and Dennis Scott recently discussed their desire to buy the Orlando Magic, sending a message to the DeVos family, who have owned the team since 1991. After four years with the Magic, O Neal signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won three consecutive championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
During his four seasons with the Magic, Shaq showcased his skills and led the team to the playoffs three times. He formed a formidable duo with another young star, Penny Hardaway, and together they became one of the most exciting tandems in the league. Their chemistry on the court was evident, as they connected on numerous alley-oops and created mismatches for opposing defenses.
Shaquille O’Neal and Dennis Scott want to buy the Orlando Magic
Fresh off making the No. 1 pick in the draft, another of the Magic’s former first overall picks is ready to help the team get to the next level: Shaquille O’Neal.
Shaq and Dennis Scott recently discussed their desire to buy the Orlando Magic, sending a message to the DeVos family, who have owned the team since 1991.
“Listen, we still run that franchise, and if they want to sell it, the DeVos family, we’re ready to go right now,” Shaq said on “The Big Podcast with Shaq” last week.
When Scott suggested one of Shaq’s billionaire friends should step up to with the money and let them run the show, Shaq eased his former teammate’s financial concerns.
“Dennis, we got the money. You don’t gotta worry about the money,” Shaq said. “But this message is going out to the DeVos family, if you’re ready to sell the Orlando Magic, sell it to somebody that’s going to take it to the next level. And that’s us.”
Orlando Magic legends, @SHAQ and @Dennis3DScott, are ready to purchase the franchise pic.twitter.com/9TXHftpGPC
— Be Magic Or Be Gone! (@BeORLMagic) June 25, 2022
The late Rich DeVos purchased the Magic for $85 million in 1991, one year before the team drafted Shaq and became soon became championship contenders.
The Magic are worth quite a bit more these days, having been valued by Forbes earlier this month at $1.64 billion. Impressive as Shaq’s portfolio is with his seemingly endless stream of endorsement income and a reported net worth of $400 million, he would need to assemble an ownership group to help broker a sale of that magnitude. That shouldn’t be a problem for someone as well-connected as Shaquille O’Neal.
Not sure how exactly Scott, now an analyst for Turner Sports, factors in financially. But when Shaq was asked who he would bring in to run the team as coach and general manager, he said he has big plans for 3D.
“I’m gonna bring one person in that I trust, that’s gonna be D Scott and then, D Scott can pick everybody else,” O’Neal said. “Smart people combined with common sense people and people that’s been there before. You can’t go wrong!”
Shaq bought a minority stake in the Sacramento Kings in 2013 and held it until earlier this year when he was forced to sell due to another business venture.
Now he’s ready to make a bid on the first team he played for, although the DeVos family has never publicly expressed an interest in selling the team.
When and if they do, here are the first bidders…
Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Shaq's impact extended beyond the court. His larger-than-life personality and sense of humor made him a fan favorite in Orlando. He embraced the nickname "Superman" and even starred in a movie called "Kazaam" during his time with the Magic. His charismatic nature and ability to connect with fans endeared him not only to the city of Orlando but to basketball fans around the world. Despite his success with the Magic, Shaq's time in Orlando was not without controversy. Contract disputes and clashes with management eventually led to his departure from the team. In 1996, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would go on to win three consecutive NBA championships alongside Kobe Bryant. Nevertheless, Shaq's time with the Orlando Magic will always hold a special place in the hearts of basketball fans. His dominance on the court and his impact off of it helped put the Magic on the map and set the stage for future success. Even decades later, Shaq remains synonymous with the Magic and is still celebrated for his contributions to the team and the sport as a whole..
Reviews for "Shaq and Orlando Magic: A Love Affair that Changed the Franchise Forever"
1. John Doe - 1/5 - I was really excited to watch "Shaq with Orlando Magic" as I've heard so much about it. However, I was extremely disappointed. The documentary lacked depth and failed to provide any new insights or perspectives about Shaq's time with the team. It felt like a missed opportunity to explore the dynamics between Shaq and his teammates, or delve into the challenges he faced during that period. Overall, it was a forgettable documentary that didn't live up to its potential.
2. Sarah Smith - 2/5 - As a fan of basketball documentaries, I had high hopes for "Shaq with Orlando Magic." Unfortunately, those expectations were not met. The documentary lacked structure and coherence, often jumping between different events and time periods without providing proper context or explanation. It felt disjointed and left me feeling confused about the overall timeline of Shaq's tenure with the team. Additionally, the documentary didn't offer any personal or emotional insights into Shaq's journey, making it feel quite bland and superficial.
3. Mike Johnson - 2/5 - "Shaq with Orlando Magic" had the potential to be an engaging documentary, but it fell short in many aspects. The storytelling was weak, with disjointed narratives that failed to captivate and maintain my interest. The lack of detailed analysis or interviews with key figures from that time period left me wanting more. Furthermore, the visuals and cinematography were uninspiring, adding to the overall disappointment. Ultimately, "Shaq with Orlando Magic" failed to deliver a compelling documentary experience, making it difficult to recommend to others.