Totally confused

[Cleveland wins]

I've been watching nba tv and these old games and what the announcers have been saying. Now first of all, I though in the 1999 finals it was between the spurs and the knicks. When did the spurs and the knicks play each other in the finals? I also didn't know that the orlando magic were in the eastern conference finals three times in their history, in the 94 or 95 season they played the rockets in the finals, in i think 1998 it was, is when they played the pacers and of course last season, i didn't know they played the pacers in the finals that late in the 90's. It seems like early in his career, shaq help lead his team to some kind of finals. Another thing i noticed is, horace grant, shaquille played for both the magic and the lakers. And also, when did tony parker come into the league? And when did avery johnson get his first coaching job? Because he was still playing in the 99 and or 2000 season, and i can't imagine him becoming at coach that soon after being a player. And does anybody remember last season when Tony parker scored 55 for a career high? I think it was against the wolves, i know it was against a weak team. I've watched basketball since 82 but i didn't get deep into basketball until the 06-07 season if that's the season when rudy gay was a rookie, i forgot. That's all that i can think of now, i hope some of you nba basketball experts can answer all these questions.

[benji]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/

[Andrew]

I've been watching nba tv and these old games and what the announcers have been saying. Now first of all, I though in the 1999 finals it was between the spurs and the knicks. When did the spurs and the knicks play each other in the finals?

Just answered your own question: 1999.

I also didn't know that the orlando magic were in the eastern conference finals three times in their history

They still are in the Eastern Conference. They were in the Western Conference for one season as the league tried to rebalance the divisions and conferences following the expansion in the late 80s.

in the 94 or 95 season they played the rockets in the finals

The Magic faced the Rockets in the 1995 Finals. The Rockets won, having also beaten the Knicks for the championship in 1994.

in i think 1998 it was, is when they played the pacers and of course last season, i didn't know they played the pacers in the finals that late in the 90's.

They didn't. The 1998 NBA Finals were between the Bulls and Jazz. The Pacers did not make the NBA Finals until 2000, where they faced the Lakers.

It seems like early in his career, shaq help lead his team to some kind of finals.

That would be the 1995 NBA Finals, Magic vs Rockets.

Another thing i noticed is, horace grant, shaquille played for both the magic and the lakers.

They certainly did.

And also, when did tony parker come into the league?

2001. He was selected 28th overall in the 2001 Draft.

And when did avery johnson get his first coaching job? Because he was still playing in the 99 and or 2000 season, and i can't imagine him becoming at coach that soon after being a player.

March 19th, 2005. He had spent the final years of his career as player-coach however.

And does anybody remember last season when Tony parker scored 55 for a career high? I think it was against the wolves, i know it was against a weak team.

Yes and you're right, it was against the Timberwolves last season.

I too would highly recommend Basketball Reference. Exceedingly comprehensive.

[benji]

I also didn't know that the orlando magic were in the eastern conference finals three times in their history

They still are in the Eastern Conference. They were in the Western Conference for one season as the league tried to rebalance the divisions and conferences following the expansion in the late 80s.

They were in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1995 (4-3 over Pacers), 1996 (4-0 loss to Bulls) and 2009 (4-2 over Cavaliers).

[Cleveland wins]

Thanks for clearing things up, but one more thing, wern't the pacers in the eastern conference finals sometime like early 21st century? Because i though they went to the nba finals one year.

[benji]

How about you learn to use B-R? Here's a good place to start for that question: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/

[Andrew]

I also didn't know that the orlando magic were in the eastern conference finals three times in their history

They still are in the Eastern Conference. They were in the Western Conference for one season as the league tried to rebalance the divisions and conferences following the expansion in the late 80s.

They were in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1995 (4-3 over Pacers), 1996 (4-0 loss to Bulls) and 2009 (4-2 over Cavaliers).

Guess I skimmed that question a little too quickly, definitely misread it.