The Top 10 Orlando Magic Players of All-Time
By Edcel Panganiban August 12, 2024 09:57
The Orlando Magic have had a turbulent history since they were founded in 1989. Although they are yet to win an NBA Championship, the franchise has boasted many prodigious players on its court. Here, we rank the top 10 players in Orlando Magic history and their impact on and off the court.
1. Shaquille O'Neal
- Position: Center
- Years Played: 1992-1996
- Stats: 27.2 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 2.7 BPG 58/1 FG%
- 1984-96: 1995 NBA Finals appearance, 1995 All-Star
Playing Style and Impact
Shaquille O'Neal was a freak of nature in size, strength, and skill that no other player possessed. He was a game-changer in the paint both ways, the stuff of nightmares for opponents. Because of his footwork and agility, Shaq could do about five power dunks a game. He made it look so easy to finish near the rim at will.
2. Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway
- Position: PG / SG
- Years Played: 1993-1999
- Stats: 21.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.1 APG,.440 FG%
- Achievements:- 4× NBA All-Star (2010, 2013–15) 2nd Team ALL-NBA
Playing Style and Impact
Penny Hardaway was celebrated for his rangy floor game. At 6'7", he was big enough to play either guard position effectively. Hardaway's prime was in the mid-1990s when he teamed with Shaquille O'Neal to create one of the league's best tandems. In 1995, in their only season together, Penny had chronically painful knees, which contributed to his early decline.
He and Shaq took the Magic all the way to the Finals. An injured Hardaway was a surprise return in the playoffs, but he showed postseason mettle plenty of times and finished with 42 points to lead Orlando over the Miami Heat on its way to an NBA Finals appearance.
3. Tracy McGrady
- Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
- Years Played: 2000-2004
- Stats: 28.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 5.2 APG
- Achievements: 4-time NBA All-Star, 2001 NBA Most Improved Player
Playing Style and Impact
McGrady was an offensive powerhouse who could score in several ways. He was also one of the toughest players to defend, as he could shoot deep and get through a drive with his shot coming off. That was unbelievably beneficial to McGrady, who used his height and wingspan to easily shoot over top defenders.
McGrady topped the NBA in scoring while with the Magic during 2002-03, leading the league at 32.1 PPG. He became a fan favorite and an indispensable piece of this team at his best when he could regularly take over games.
4. Dwight Howard
- Position: Center
- Years Played: 2004-2012
- Stats: 18.3 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.2 BPG
- Accomplishments: 3× NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 5x NBA All-Star
Playing Style and Impact
Dwight Howard thrived in the paint, his strengths being rebounding on both ends of the floor as a shot blocker and finishing around. This combination of athleticism and strength allowed him to be a great defensive player, hence why he won multiple Defensive Player Of The Year.
Howard led the Magic to the 2009 NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. In the postseason, he averaged 20.6 points and 15.0 rebounds, proving that he could down buckets when it counted most.
5. Nick Anderson
- Shooting Guard / Small Forward
- Years Played: 1989-1999
- Stats: 15.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.8 APG
Playing Style and Impact
Nick Anderson, who scored, could also do some things defensively. He was a mainstay of the Magic when they had success early in their history. Anderson's match-up ability and his stubborn determination to score to avoid wearing the goat horns were a perfect marriage.
He helped lead the Magic to an NBA Finals appearance in 1995, doing a lot of his damage on both ends of the floor. Fans also relate to his franchise loyalty.
6. Hedo Türkoğlu
- Position: Small Forward/Power forward
- Years Played: 2004-2009
- Stats: 16.4 PPG, 5.3 RBG, 4.9 APG
- NBA: 2008 MIP, Reached '09 NBA Finals
Playing Style and Impact
His shooting was also crucial to the Magic's offense, especially from three-point range. Türkoğlu, with low turnovers and high assist numbers, became an indispensable piece of the team simply because he was another creator on the floor.
Hedo was the driving force behind Orlando reaching the NBA Finals in 2008-09, where he had playoff averages of 15.8 points and five assists per game.
7. Horace Grant
- Position: Power Forward/Centre
- Years Played: 1995-1999
- Stats: 13.7 PPG, 10.4 RPG
- Achievement: 1995 NBA Finals
Playing Style and Impact
Horace Grant Defense Rebounds Most of the Magic's success came in his absence, but his experience and leadership were vital. Though neither the most talented nor well-rounded player, Grant could score in the post as one of five with a half-court offense and warm up from 15-20 feet to create space between defenders when needed.
His performance led the Magic to their first-ever NBA Finals 1995 by averaging a double-double throughout the playoffs.
8. Jameer Nelson
- Position: Point Guard
- Years Played: 2004-2014
- Stats: 12.6 PPG, 5.2 APG,3.1 RPG
- Achievements: 2009 NBA Finals, 2010 NBA All-Star
Playing Style and Impact
Nelson was a leader and playmaker. He has an above-average speed and handle to create playmaking for him and his teammates. While Nelson was not as strong, his marksmanship from downtown made him an asset on the offensive end for the Magic.
In the 2008-2009 season, he was a key component in taking Orlando Magic to the NBA finals.
9. Rashard Lewis
- Position: SF/PF
- Years Played: 2007-2011
- Magic stats: 16.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG
- Achievements: 2009 NBA All-Star
Playing Style and Impact
Rashard Lewis was one the best floor-stretchers in history because of his 6-foot-10 frame that could rain down threes. He was a key contributor in Orlando's run to the NBA Finals during the 2008-09 season, when he averaged 17.7 points and just under 40% three-point shooting for the Magic throughout his playoff appearances that year. His knack for hitting big shots made him a linchpin of that franchise.
10. Grant Hill
- Position: Small Forward
- Years Played: 2000-2007
- Stats: 16.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4. O APG
- Achievments: 3× NBA All-Star (2001, 2002, and 2007 w/ the Magic)
Playing Style and Impact
Hill had a well-rounded game and could do it all. Able to score, rebound, and pass the ball at a high level, he was one of the more complete players in his era. Hill was athletic and could do things on the court because of his basketball IQ.
The injuries wore on Hill during his Magic days, though he could still show up and make a difference whenever the feeling was right. His veteran presence was crucial for many of the young lads.
The Orlando Magic have come across many talented players throughout their history. Although they have never won an NBA title, the influence of the top 10 players on this franchise and its fan base is timeless. The play style of each has defined an era in Orlando, and their collective legacies over the years created somewhat of a branding to represent Magic basketball.
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