Ben Wallace carved his career with the Detroit Pistons but got his start with the Orlando Magic's Heart & Hustle team. Photo by TONY RANZE / AFP)
The Orlando Magic’s Heart and Hustle team of 1999-2000 is forever etched into the franchise’s memory.
Rarely does a team that missed the playoffs feel firmly entrenched in the franchise’s history. Especially a team that finished a mere 41-41. Those seasons, especially in a franchise with any kind of history, are typically forgotten and discarded. Blips on the road to eventual ascendance or championships.
These teams are not meant to break through.