The Orlando Magic have missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, have the lowest home attendance, and are on the verge of rebuilding. In the 2024 draft, they used the fifth pick to select Gonzaga point guard Kyle Carter. This lanky man who is 1.93 Meters tall and has a wingspan of 2.08 Meters. Although he was accused of being "sticky to the ball and having a questionable defensive attitude", he was born in the slums of Orlando and regarded "Penny" Hardaway as his idol. His draft suit was purchased with money from a pastor. He vowed to revive the team but was ridiculed.
In training camp, veteran Marcus Jones treated him coldly. At the beginning of the regular season, Kyle averaged 18 points and only 4 assists per game. He often made key mistakes and was benched by coach Walker. He also broke the board due to tactical differences. The team only won 6 games in the first 20 games, but Walker still insisted on training and taught team concepts in private.
Against the Heat, Marcus tore his ligament and ended the season, and asked Kyle to stimulate him on his deathbed. He took 8 shots and provided 15 assists in a single game to lead the team's reversal. Since then, Kyle has connected the team to help center White and shooter Lee perform. The team rose to eighth in the Eastern Conference and entered the playoffs.
In the first round of the playoffs against the Bucks, after losing the first two games, Kyle led the team to win and advance to the tiebreaker. In the semifinals against the Celtics, he broke through the defense of his idol George and won the tiebreaker again. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Nets, he dragged the series into a tiebreaker despite injury and won. In the Finals against the Lakers, trailing 3-1, Kyle scored 32 points, 11 assists and 5 steals in Game 6. In the last two minutes of Game 7, he assisted his teammates to overtake and win the championship.
At the end of the game, the Amway Center was boiling. Kyle hugged Marcus' jersey and cried bitterly. This team that had been abandoned once again rekindled the championship fireworks with the strength of the team.
