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The NBA is undoubtedly one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the world. The league features 30 teams from across the United States and Canada, all competing for the chance to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the season. Two of those teams, the Orlando Magic and the Brooklyn Nets, are particularly interesting to compare due to their contrasting histories, styles of play, and current rosters.
08 APRIL 2023
TIME: 07:30 PM ET
The Orlando Magic was founded in 1989 as an expansion team and is based in Orlando, Florida. The team plays its home games at the Amway Center and has made two trips to the NBA Finals in its history, but has yet to win a championship.
The Magic’s most successful period came in the late 2000s, when they made the NBA Finals in 2009 and reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2010. The Magic’s style of play has traditionally been centered around a dominant big man in the post. Shaquille O’Neal, Dwight Howard, and Nikola Vucevic are just a few examples of players who have anchored the Magic’s offense in the past. However, in recent years the team has shifted to a more perimeter-oriented approach, with a focus on three-point shooting and ball movement. This change in style was reflected in the Magic’s selection of guard Cole Anthony in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The Magic’s current roster features several promising young players, including Anthony, Markelle Fultz, and Jonathan Isaac. However, the team is also in the midst of a rebuilding phase and may struggle to compete in the short term.
The Brooklyn Nets were founded in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans and currently play their home games at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The team has won two NBA championships in its history, but both of those titles came during its time as the New Jersey Nets in the ABA. The Nets’ move to Brooklyn in 2012 coincided with a significant overhaul of the team’s roster, including the acquisition of star point guard Deron Williams.
The Nets’ style of play is centered around a trio of superstars: Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. All three players are known for their scoring ability and offensive creativity, and the Nets’ offense is among the most potent in the league as a result. However, the team has struggled with injuries and consistency in recent years, and questions remain about its ability to compete in the playoffs.
