The Orlando Magic have been the second best team in Florida for years. But have they quietly overtaken the Miami Heat as the best team in the region?
For six years now, the Orlando Magic have been one of the worst teams in the NBA. As a result of this, they’ve also been the second-best team in Florida as well.
This decade, the Miami Heat, the noisy neighbor as it were, have won two championships and enjoyed having LeBron James on their roster for four fantastic seasons.
James may be long gone, but with a rock-solid front office headed by Pat Riley, the Heat were always, and will continue to be, in the mix for marquee free agents.
But has the gap between the two organizations actually closed significantly? Crazier still, are the Magic actually the better of the two teams as we edge towards a new season?
Let’s take a look at five different areas which may point toward a power shift in the state of Florida.
If nothing else, it could help to drum up some interest and bad blood between two teams that geographically should be taking part in a grudge match every time they meet. Bragging rights matter between fans.