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Reactions

Magic fans remember the heartbreakers

Orlando fans miss Shaq's free throws. Tom Hauck/Allsport

The one organization which I really didn't respect was the Orlando Magic's letting Shaquille O'Neal leave the Orlando Magic via-free agency and signing in La La Land. It wasn't that he was my favorite player ... at the time Penny Hardaway was my favorite player and they had something special there. They were young and hungry for a title. In 1995 the duo had a chance at capturing a title but they were just at the time young and maybe not prepared mentally for the challenge that awaited them.

So the summer of 1996 they let Shaq leave through free agency. They didn't know what they had. So that particular move really hurt. Then there was the Penny Hardaway situation. They really hurt his image. Fortunately, they made up for poor moves in the past and signed my favorite player and future superstar in Tracy McGrady and All-Star Grant Hill. Lets Go Magic!
Ricardo, New York City

When Shaq left Orlando I was devastated. I hated him for years. It wasn´t until last year when they won it all i forgave him.
Ari Tomasson, Reykjavik, Iceland

I was once a huge fan of the Orlando Magic, having spent a few years living in O-town. Life as I originally knew it changed on July 18, 1996 when Shaquille O'Neal was chased out of town by the inept management and bigoted fans. He could never do enough. Somehow, Jerry West and the Lakers pushed the right buttons and, presto!, Shaq won the championship the playa-haters said he would never get. Yeah, he might've been a little immature in Orlando and he still struggles at the free throw line but John Amechi and Micheal Doleac couldn't get you 35 points and 20 rebounds if you locked them in a gym by themselves.

Wanna see magic? Poof! That's the Magic franchise that hasn't won a playoff series in five years disappearing!
Charles Mayes, Jonesboro, Ga.

The day Shaquille O'Neal signed with the L.A. Lakers. I was hoping for numerous championships with Shaq and Penny dominating the league. To this day I still feel like the Orlando Magic would have at least two championships, and the Bulls' second three-peat would have never happened.
Charley Drake, St. Petersburg, Fla.

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