Hoops Habit
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NBA History: The best era for each of the 30 franchises

By Daniel Lubofsky

SAN ANTONIO - JANUARY 14: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to drive around Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks at the SBC Center on January 14, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Chris Birck/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO - JANUARY 14: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to drive around Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks at the SBC Center on January 14, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Chris Birck/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic: 2006-12

The first two years of the Dwight Howard era didn’t go exactly as planned for the Orlando Magic. The No. 1 overall pick in 2004, Dwight had helped his new team to an extra 15 wins as a rookie, but the Magic stayed put at 36 wins during once again during his sophomore campaign.

Finally, Orlando qualified for the playoffs for the first time in three years during the 2006-07 season but were quickly swept away by the more experienced Detroit Pistons.

In wanting to take another step forward, the front office traded for Rashard Lewis in the offseason and brought in Stan Van Gundy to serve as head coach, leading to fundamental changes within the offense.

Van Gundy saw the future of the 3-point heavy NBA and decided to get a head start. Despite standing 6’10”, Lewis had always been a small forward on account of his sweet outside stroke. In Orlando, he was moved down a spot to open up the court and make opponents pay for double the most dominant inside force at the time in Howard.

Orlando exploded for 52 wins following the shift and put up back-to-back 59 win campaigns in the two years after. The tipping point came in 2009, where the Magic’s inside-out dominance took them to their first NBA Finals in nearly 15 years.

The change did wonders for the individuals as much as the team. Jammer Nelson made his only All-Star appearance in 2008-09, accompanied by Dwight — a perennial All-Star by that point — and Lewis, who was making the second of his two appearances. Hedo Turkoglu even won Most Improved Player honors in 2007-08

The Magic weren’t ultimately able to secure a championship, but their decision-making paid off. Lewis was the sniper option they desperately needed to free up Howard and Van Gundy proved worthy of leading the charge at a time when progress was sorely needed.

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