1992–93 Orlando Magic season

The 1992–93 NBA season was the Magic's fourth season in the National Basketball Association.[1] This season held a lot of promise as LSU center Shaquille O'Neal was drafted first overall by the Magic in the 1992 NBA draft.[2][3][4][5][6][7] Meanwhile, the Magic signed free agent Donald Royal during the off-season.[8][9][10] There were predictions that O'Neal would become the next dominant center in the NBA.[11][12] Shaq became an instant superstar with merchandising that rivaled only Michael Jordan.

1992–93 Orlando Magic season
Head coachMatt Guokas
ArenaOrlando Arena
Results
Record41–41 (.500)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Atlantic)
Conference: 9th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWKCF
Sunshine Network
RadioWDBO
< 1991–92 1993–94 >

The Magic started to show improvement winning eight of their first eleven games, but then lost six straight afterwards in December, as the team acquired Steve Kerr from the Cleveland Cavaliers.[13][14][15] The Magic continued to play .500 basketball with a 24–23 record at the All-Star break.[16] However, the team had various problems with injuries as Dennis Scott only played 54 games due to calf and Achilles injuries,[17][18][19] and second-year center Brian Williams missed most of the season due to clinical depression, including a suicide attempt, only playing just 21 games.[20][21][22][23] The Magic finished fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 41–41 record,[24] and lost a tie-breaker for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference to the 8th-seeded Indiana Pacers.[25][26][27][28]

O'Neal averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game, as he was named Rookie of the Year.[29][30][31][32] He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, was selected for the 1993 NBA All-Star Game, which was his first ever All-Star appearance,[33][34][35][36][37] and also finished in seventh place in Most Valuable Player voting.[38][39][40][41] In addition, Nick Anderson finished second on the team in scoring averaging 19.9 points, and contributed 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while Scott averaged 15.9 points per game, Scott Skiles provided the team with 15.4 points and 9.7 assists per game, and Royal contributed 9.2 points per game off the bench.[42]

Following the season, Kerr signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls,[43] while Williams was traded to the Denver Nuggets,[44][45][46] head coach Matt Guokas resigned after four seasons coaching the Magic,[47][48][49] and Terry Catledge retired.

Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 1 Shaquille O'Neal C   United States LSU

Roster

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1992–93 Orlando Magic roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
SG 25 Anderson, Nick 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1968–01–20 Illinois
SG 14 Bowie, Anthony 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–11–09 Oklahoma
PF 33 Catledge, Terry 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1963–08–22 South Alabama
PG 11 Green, Litterial 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1970–03–07 Georgia
PG 2 Kerr, Steve 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1965–09–27 Arizona
C 34 Kite, Greg 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1961–08–05 BYU
C 32 O'Neal, Shaquille 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 300 lb (136 kg) 1972–03–06 LSU
SF 5 Royal, Donald 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966–05–22 Notre Dame
SF 3 Scott, Dennis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 229 lb (104 kg) 1968–09–05 Georgia Tech
PG 4 Skiles, Scott 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1964–03–05 Michigan State
SF 40 Tolbert, Tom 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1965–10–16 Arizona
PF 31 Turner, Jeff 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1962–04–09 Vanderbilt
PF 8 Williams, Brian 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1969–04–06 Arizona
PF 42 Wright, Howard 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1967–12–20 Stanford
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 8, 1993

Regular season

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Shaquille O'Neal was drafted as the 1st overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic. During that summer, prior to moving to Orlando, he spent a significant amount of time in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. O'Neal had an exceptional rookie season, as he helped the Magic win 20 more games than the previous season, with the team ultimately missing the playoffs by virtue of a tie-breaker with the Indiana Pacers. O'Neal averaged 23.4 points and 13.9 rebounds per game for the season and was named the 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year. O'Neal played in the All-Star game and scored 14 points. On two occasions during that season, each during a nationally televised game, O'Neal dunked the ball so hard that he broke the backboard support units.[citation needed]

Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-New York Knicks 60 22 .732 37–4 23–18 23–5
x-Boston Celtics 48 34 .585 12 28–13 20–21 19–9
x-New Jersey Nets 43 39 .524 17 26–15 17–24 14–14
Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 19 27–14 14–27 15–13
Miami Heat 36 46 .439 24 26–15 10–31 9–19
Philadelphia 76ers 26 56 .317 34 15–26 11–30 11–17
Washington Bullets 22 60 .268 38 15–26 7–34 7–21
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-New York Knicks 60 22 .732
2 y-Chicago Bulls 57 25 .695 3
3 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 54 28 .659 6
4 x-Boston Celtics 48 34 .585 12
5 x-Charlotte Hornets 44 38 .537 16
6 x-New Jersey Nets 43 39 .524 17
7 x-Atlanta Hawks 43 39 .524 17
8 x-Indiana Pacers 41 41 .500 19
9 Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 19
10 Detroit Pistons 40 42 .488 20
11 Miami Heat 36 46 .439 24
12 Milwaukee Bucks 28 54 .341 32
13 Philadelphia 76ers 26 56 .317 36
14 Washington Bullets 22 60 .268 38
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1992–93 NBA records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 2–2 3–2 2–2 0–5 1–1 2–0 2–3 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–2 2–0 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Boston 2–2 3–1 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 1–4 3–2 4–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–1
Charlotte 2–3 1–3 2–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 0–2 0–5 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 3–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Chicago 2–2 3–1 3–2 2–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 5–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 4–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 4–0
Cleveland 5–0 1–3 3–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 4–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Dallas 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–5 1–1 0–4 1–4 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–5 1–3 0–5 1–1
Denver 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1 1–1 3–1 2–3 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 1–4 1–3 2–3 2–0
Detroit 3–2 3–1 1–4 1–3 2–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–0
Golden State 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–3 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–3 1–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 0–5 4–1 3–1 1–4 3–1 1–1
Houston 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–1 3–2 1–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 4–0 4–1 1–3 4–1 1–1
Indiana 2–2 2–2 5–0 0–5 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 3–2 0–4 1–1 3–2 0–2 2–0 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 3–2 0–4 1–4 2–2 2–0
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 4–1 1–3 1–1 2–3 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–5 3–2 3–2 2–2 1–4 1–3 2–0
Miami 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–3 0–5 3–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–3
Milwaukee 2–3 2–2 1–3 1–4 1–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–1 2–3 1–1 1–3 2–4 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–4 0–4 1–4 1–1
New Jersey 3–1 0–4 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 2–0 3–2 4–0 1–1 1–3 3–2 3–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1
New York 2–2 4–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 5–0 3–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 5–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1
Orlando 3–1 2–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 2–2 2–0 2–3 2–2 3–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0
Philadelphia 1–3 1–4 0–4 2–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–3 0–5 2–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1
Phoenix 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 2–0 4–1 2–2 1–1 2–3 5–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–2 5–0 3–1 2–3 3–1 2–0
Portland 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 5–0 3–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–3 5–0 2–2 2–3 2–2 1–1
Sacramento 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 1–4 0–4 0–2 2–3 2–3 1–1 1–1 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–5 0–5 2–2 1–4 2–2 1–1
San Antonio 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 5–0 4–1 2–0 1–3 1–4 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–3 1–1
Seattle 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–1 3–1 0–2 4–1 4–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–2 3–2 4–1 1–3 2–2 2–0
Utah 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 5–0 3–2 2–0 1–3 1–4 2–0 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–3 2–2 1–1
Washington 2–2 1–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 3–2 3–1 1–1 1–4 1–4 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1

Game log

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Player statistics

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Regular season

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Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Shaquille O'Neal C 81 81 3,071 1,122 152 60 286 1,893 37.9 13.9 1.9 .7 3.5 23.4
Nick Anderson SG 79 76 2,920 477 265 128 56 1,574 37.0 6.0 3.4 1.6 .7 19.9
Scott Skiles PG 78 78 3,086 290 735 86 2 1,201 39.6 3.7 9.4 1.1 .0 15.4
Anthony Bowie SG 77 45 1,761 194 175 54 14 618 22.9 2.5 2.3 .7 .2 8.0
Donald Royal SF 77 0 1,636 295 80 36 25 706 21.2 3.8 1.0 .5 .3 9.2
Jeff Turner PF 75 20 1,479 252 107 19 9 528 19.7 3.4 1.4 .3 .1 7.0
Tom Tolbert PF 72 61 1,838 412 91 33 21 583 25.5 5.7 1.3 .5 .3 8.1
Greg Kite C 64 1 640 193 10 13 12 89 10.0 3.0 .2 .2 .2 1.4
Dennis Scott SF 54 43 1,759 186 136 57 18 858 32.6 3.4 2.5 1.1 .3 15.9
Litterial Green PG 52 4 626 34 116 23 4 235 12.0 .7 2.2 .4 .1 4.5
Steve Kerr SG 47 0 440 38 59 8 1 122 9.4 .8 1.3 .2 .0 2.6
Terry Catledge PF 21 1 262 46 5 4 1 99 12.5 2.2 .2 .2 .0 4.7
Bison Dele PF 21 0 240 56 5 14 17 96 11.4 2.7 .2 .7 .8 4.6
Chris Corchiani PG 9 0 102 7 16 6 0 42 11.3 .8 1.8 .7 .0 4.7
Howard Wright PF 4 0 10 2 0 0 0 8 2.5 .5 .0 .0 .0 2.0
Lorenzo Williams PF 3 0 10 2 0 1 1 0 3.3 .7 .0 .3 .3 .0
  • Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Magic only.

Awards and honors

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Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ 1992-93 Orlando Magic
  2. ^ Araton, Harvey (June 25, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Draft Sticks to Program Until the 5th Pick, That Is". The New York Times. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  3. ^ "After Big Men Go First, Locals Go in First Round: NBA Draft: Miner Goes to Heat at No. 12. Lakers Take Peeler. Clippers Select: La Salle's Woods with Their First Pick". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 25, 1992. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  4. ^ Wojciechowski, Gene (June 25, 1992). "Miner Didn't Realize Heat Would Be on Like This: NBA Draft: USC Star Waits Longer Than Expected Before Miami Makes Him the 12th Overall Selection. UCLA's Murray Goes to San Antonio, Pepperdine's Christie to Seattle". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  5. ^ Aldridge, David (June 25, 1992). "O'Neal, Mourning 1-2". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  6. ^ "1992 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  7. ^ Povtak, Tim (August 7, 1992). "Done Deal: Shaq Signing Today". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  8. ^ Cooper, Barry (July 19, 1992). "Magic May Restructure Deals to Sign O'Neal". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  9. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. August 26, 1992. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  10. ^ "Magic Will Pay Bowie More Than Anderson". Orlando Sentinel. September 13, 1992. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  11. ^ Moran, Malcolm (May 18, 1992). "The Top Pick Is Going to Disney World". The New York Times.
  12. ^ Cooper, Barry (September 21, 1992). "Shaq Wows Fans in Magic's Game". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  13. ^ "Cavs, Magic to Swap Guards". The Baltimore Sun. Orlando Sentinel. December 1, 1992. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  14. ^ "Cavs Trade Kerr to Orlando". United Press International. December 3, 1992. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  15. ^ "Magic Trades Draft Pick for Cavaliers Guard Kerr". Tampa Bay Times. December 4, 1992. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  16. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 18, 1993". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  17. ^ "Scott Out 10 Days". United Press International. February 8, 1993. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  18. ^ "Magic". Orlando Sentinel. February 9, 1993. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  19. ^ Povtak, Tim (March 18, 1993). "Headliners". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  20. ^ "Brian Williams Says He Attempted Suicide Last Month". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. November 27, 1992. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  21. ^ "Magic Forward Says He Tried Suicide". Chicago Tribune. Orlando Sentinel. November 27, 1992. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  22. ^ "Ex-Terp Williams of Magic Says He Attempted Suicide". The Baltimore Sun. Orlando Sentinel. November 27, 1992. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  23. ^ Cotton, Anthony (December 3, 1992). "Not All Fun, Games for Rodman, Brian Williams". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  24. ^ "1992–93 Orlando Magic Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  25. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Pacers Wheel In, Keep Both Magic and Pistons Out". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 25, 1993. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  26. ^ "NBA ROUNDUP: Pacers Edge Out Magic for Last Berth". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 25, 1993. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  27. ^ "Magic Win, But Pacers Make Sure Shaq Will Sit". Deseret News. Associated Press. April 25, 1993. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  28. ^ "Heat Loss, Tiebreaker Leaves Magic with Scores to Settle". Sun Sentinel. May 2, 1993. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  29. ^ "O'Neal Wins NBA Rookie of the Year". United Press International. May 6, 1993. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  30. ^ "O'Neal Shatters Rookie Vote". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 7, 1993. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  31. ^ "O'Neal "Just Doing His Job", Wins Rookie of the Year". Deseret News. May 7, 1993. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  32. ^ "NBA & ABA Rookie of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  33. ^ "Manning Gets All-Star Berth: Pro Basketball: He Is Selected for the First Time. The Lakers and Celtics Are Shut Out for the First Time Since Game Began". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 10, 1993. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  34. ^ Sorensen, Mike (February 19, 1993). "Life at the Top of the NBA Has Put Jordan Under Considerable Scrutiny". Deseret News. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  35. ^ Freeman, Mike (February 22, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; The West Prevails in Serious Showdown". The New York Times. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  36. ^ "1993 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  37. ^ "1993 NBA All-Star Game: West 135, East 132 (OT)". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  38. ^ "NBA MVP". The Baltimore Sun. May 26, 1993. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  39. ^ "MVP Voting". Tampa Bay Times. May 26, 1993. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  40. ^ "1992–93 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  41. ^ Orlando Magic (1989-Present)
  42. ^ "1992–93 Orlando Magic Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  43. ^ "4 Players Added to Bulls' Roster". Chicago Tribune. September 30, 1993. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  44. ^ "Nuggets Aquire [sic] Williams". United Press International. August 19, 1993. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  45. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Nuggets-Magic Trade". The New York Times. August 20, 1993. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  46. ^ "For Williams, Nuggets Is Find". Orlando Sentinel. October 30, 1993. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  47. ^ "Magic Promote Hill to Head Coach". United Press International. June 30, 1993. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  48. ^ Cooper, Barry (July 1, 1993). "Guokas Up and Out; 'Penny' In". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  49. ^ Landman, Brian (July 1, 1993). "Guokas Steps Down, Hill Steps Up as Magic Coach". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved April 5, 2023.