The 2012 season was a very memorable one in Orlando Magic history, but not for the right reasons. Despite the lockout cutting the season down 66 games and starting play on Christmas, a season’s worth of drama was packed in those five months. And it forever changed the franchise’s fortune and path.
Even before any games would be played, the Magic were hit with two pieces of horrible news: there would be a lockout and, worst of all, that franchise superstar Dwight Howard wanted out.
The Magic’s contending road had come to an end.