My first memory of Keyon Dooling is from the 2000 NBA Draft. When the Orlando Magic selected him with the 10th pick in the first round, my immediate thought was, “Why are we wasting a lottery pick on a point guard when Darrell Armstrong is entrenched as our starter?” I didn’t have long to worry about it because moments later, Dooling was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
From that point on, I paid very little attention to Keyon as he languished with the Clippers. If anything, I was pleased to see that he didn’t blow up with the Clips and prove that we should have held on to him. Still, when he popped back up on our radar as a free agent three years ago, I was happy. He had shown during his previous season with the Miami Heat that he could be a great energy guy off the bench for a playoff team. There was also satisfaction in the fact that a long-lost draft pick of ours had made his way back home. This time, it was him choosing us.
During his three seasons with us, he was a bargain. We never paid him more than 3.5 million to be the back-up at both guard spots. We received great value out of that salary as he provided energy and defense off the bench during his time with us. Considering he was the only guard on the team last season with any penchant for “in your face” defense, I was surprised that he wasn’t retained. Still, I’m glad that he got a good contract from New Jersey and I’m glad we at least got a trade exception out of it.
Dooling seemed to be a good guy, a good teammate, and a good citizen. He genuinely liked being in Florida, and in Orlando specifically, and I believe he hoped to continue on with the Magic. I would like to thank him for the three seasons he gave us here and I wish him well in his future NBA career (except when he's playing us). With that, I’d like to present my top three Keyon Dooling memories:
January 11th, 2006 – Dooling was in his first game back from a lengthy stay on the IR when the Magic played the Seattle Supersonics in Seattle. Dooling had only barely gotten into the game when he and Ray Allen got into it. The fight was pretty nasty, with punches clearly being thrown and landed. The best part was when it carried over into the tunnels. (Click here for video: Dooling/Allen Fight). For his effort, Dooling got to sit out another 5 games, without pay. In some ways, this incident set the tone for the type of defense that Dooling would play for us. While he didn’t get into a similar altercation again, he did continue to show the same tenacity and willingness to stay as tight on his defender as possible. He never backed down from contact.
November 15th, 2006 – The Magic hosted the Denver Nuggets and Keyon took the opportunity to score his Magic career high of 25 points. What made the performance special was not the amount of points Dooling scored but the way he scored them. Dooling, never known for his three point shooting, shot 5 for 5 from behind the arc that night.
January 6th, 2008 – A day that will live in Magic Message Board infamy. This was the day of the “Meet the Magic” autograph session at the Amway Arena. Keyon Dooling made the mistake of leaving the autograph table when there were only a few fans still left in line. You pretty much know the rest!
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"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 8156 | Location: Catching up with the OCTB. | Registered: February 09, 2006
To hear the chagrin in the quotes from his Magic ex-teammates upon the news that he was not going to be re-signed speaks volumes as to what Keyon is all about.
Honestly, he brought the same type of intensity and energy on the floor as Darrell did, but never had the same level of popularity.
Not quite sure why. Maybe because Darrell also exhibited pure joy when he played but, regardless of the reason, we Magic fans should feel fortunate to have had these types of players to represent our city and team.
Posts: 2977 | Location: At home on game nights, often with no TV coverage. I see no reason why I should give the Magic more of me when they've given me less of themselves. | Registered: July 25, 2006
I really do not blame Keyon for leaving, the team was actually offering him a paycut. I would not be surprised to see him back in a few years when NJ cleans their roster to make room for Lebron.
Posts: 5811 | Location: Being Merked over by Brighthouse | Registered: February 23, 2006
Dooling was truly a player that left everything on the floor and always gave max effort. His contributions will be missed and I wish him the best in New Jersey.
Good read but even better because you posted the video of Keyon's fight with Ray Allen. That got my blood boiling all over again!
I know it did for Keyon. I talked to him a couple of weeks ago and I in fact asked him about that altercation. I could feel his blood pressure raise just by even mentioning it, lol.
He said and I quote, "Nobody is gonna disrespect me like that"! "It hurt my wallet, though".
Posts: 6597 | Location: Hangin' with the Kentucky Boyz...Bogans and Lee!!!!! | Registered: January 16, 2006
One of the best moments i will remember was in the playoffs and i think it was the second or third game.. Keyon exploded from the three point line and went to the hole... he didnt make the dunk but man it was so awesome how he elevated and posterized (i think maxiel) whoever it was....man if he would have made that guarantee it would have been number one play of the week.
However he was fouled and made his 2 free throws...
anyone see that?
February 29th, 2008 - "Lebron will be in a magic uniform come 2010" As quoted by Nathan
orlandomagiczone.com 
