Florida news: A beginner’s guide to Florida sports - The NBA
Are you thinking of getting into American sports and are looking for a team to support? If so, look no further than our guide to the NBA within Florida.
The NBA has been one of America’s most popular sports, thanks to its cultural influence and elite talent throughout its history.
Whilst the NBA is currently facing a complex shift in viewership, its popularity through streaming and social media continues to grow.
Here, Florida News Blitz writer Dylan Richardson provides a beginner's guide into basketball in the Sunshine State.
Overview
Florida has two teams that compete in the NBA: the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic. Both teams are in the Southeastern division of the Eastern Conference.
The Miami Heat have won three NBA Championships since their introduction to the League in 1988, while the Magic are still searching for their first ring since their introduction in 1989.
It is not just Championships that separate the two historically; however, the Miami Heat has had more superstars on display over the years.
Their former players include the ‘big three’ of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, who played together between 2011 and 2014, during which the team won two of its three Championships.
The two teams come together to form the ‘Sunshine State’ rivalry and have enjoyed fierce matchups over the years, especially in 2009 and 2011.
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Why would you choose to follow the Orlando Magic?
While historically, they have predominantly been behind the Heat, Orlando arguably has the better chance of competing for a title in the next few years.
After drafting German forward Franz Wagner 8th overall in 2021 and landing number 1 pick Paolo Banchero a year later, the Magic have been on the rise, becoming a playoff team in the 2024/25 season.
Last season, they were one of the best defensive teams in the league, with Wagner and Banchero also scoring over 20 points per game.
The main problem that they encountered last season was their three-point percentage, which has been addressed this offseason by trading for Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane.
Bane is regarded as one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA, activating ‘win now’ mode, so if you’re after a team who could legitimately compete for a Championship within the next few years within Florida, the Orlando Magic could be the choice for you to make.
The stars of Miami
The Miami Heat still have some star players, including Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, along with solid role players such as Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins, and Nikola Jović.
Along with adding 19-year-old Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakucionis from the University of Illinois in the draft, the Heat will have a legitimate chance of making the playoffs.
If you value a mix of history and present-day performance, the Miami Heat may be the team for you.
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