#2: Orlando Magic Collapse After Shaquille O’Neal Leaves in 1996-97
The 1996-97 Orlando Magic disappointed heavily after Shaquille O’Neal left for the Los Angeles Lakers the previous summer. Injuries to Penny Hardaway added to the problems, and Orlando stumbled to a 45-37 record after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals the year before. Expectations were high, but the season quickly unraveled into frustration.
