This Magic Moment

30 for 30: This Magic Moment (2016)

*** (out of 4)

Another good entry in the ESPN series has filmmakers Gentry Kirby and Erin Leyden looking at the rise of the Orlando Magic. This documentary covers the franchise coming into the NBA, their first few awful seasons and then the luck of getting back-to-back top picks in the draft where they'd select Shaquille O'Neal and Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway.

For the most part this here is an entertaining documentary, although the subject itself really isn't all that interesting . I mean, the Magic had a two year great run so I'm just not sure this type of "run" was needing a two hour documentary. We hear from the two leads and many of the supporting people as we hear about them getting over the hump and beating the Chicago Bulls but lacking against the Houston Rockets. We also look at how Hardaway and Little Penny became a world-wide sensation. Of course, how the story ends is also quite interesting.

There's certainly nothing awful here but I just don't feel the subject needed the extra running time.

Despite the speculation, if Orlando Magic would've kept Shaquille O'Neal, and they would've run, a championship is completely false. They would've never beat anyone. Not the balls not the Lakers lol. I love this documentary. Penny Hardaway seems like one of the nicest most genuine NBA players of all time. Doesn't seem like he has a bad bone in his entire body. I thought he learned a magic did well. They had a winning record for an expansion team, which is like unheard of. Made the playoffs made the finals. I think I should stop and smell the roses. We all know ESPN spin. For instance, like the last dance. Would've could've should've. I do like this documentary a lot. I'm just thinking it's not as good as the Lakers, the bulls or the Detroit Pistons 30 for 30 episodes.

ESPN 30 x 30 is an amazing series of sports documentaries. Very often, there are strong social issues besides just the game. That is not the case here: deffinitely 'This Magic Moment' is not among the most inspired of those films, but it is nice, anyway. It is interesting for all those who followed NBA in the last 90's, who are curious about drafts, contracts, free agents and negociation strategies in pro basketball, who do not lose an opportunity to remember those great battles with the orange ball. Intimacy of players, particularly Shaq and Penny, is a good spice, and there are some funny moments.

If you are a true basketball fan, I am willing to bet this is one you will not forget. Some might say the Magic only had a short run, that is the entire point behind this fascinating and high octane episode. They show up out of nowhere as an expansion team in a sleepy sports town (Huh?). Two number one draft picks in a row (nearly impossible)! Picking Chris Webber #1 and trading for Penny and more (nearly inconceivable!). Close out the Bulls (nearly impossible). Then face the Rockets in the finals? Remember Drexler and Olajuwan played together at Houston, their team was flashy and got upset by Jimmy V's Cinderella NC State (there is a 30 for 30 on this called Survive and Advance). So ironically, the Cinderella flashy streetball Magic are on the verge of upsetting the Rockets. Then it all disappeared overnight, like Magic. An endless barrage of highlights featuring the NBAs best players with some humorous explanations and insight into the real story behind the Magic.