Orlando Magic: Ranking Best Players By Position In Team History

Is Shaquille O’Neal the best center in the history of the Orlando Magic? (Image from basketwallpapers.com)

This is the first part of a series focusing on the best players on every team in the NBA by their positions. The first part of this series deals with the Orlando Magic.

The Orlando Magic have had plenty  of talented players since 1989. The Orlando Magic were one of the best teams in the NBA in the mid-1990s.

Point Guard: Penny Hardaway

The best point guard for the Orlando Magic was Penny Hardaway. Today most people compare LeBron James to Magic Johnson. However, the closest a player has come to the Magic Johnson is Hardaway. Hardaway was a 6’7″ point guard, who in his prime was averaging 22 points and seven assists per game. Hardaway was traded after the 1999 season and was never the same due to bad knees and an ailing back. However, Hardaway was the most dynamic playmaker the Magic have ever had.

Shooting Guard: Nick Anderson

Shooting guard is probably the Orlando Magic’s biggest strength outside of the center position, thanks to the efforts of

and

. Despite McGrady’s accomplishments in Orlando, Nick Anderson will go down as the best shooting guard in franchise history. Anderson was the Orlando Magic’s franchise leader in points scored until Howard broke it in January 2011. Anderson possessed one of the smoothest strokes in the NBA, could attack the rim and was the Magic’s best perimeter defender. His best scoring seasons were before the Penny-Shaq years. However, once Penny and Shaq joined the Magic, he became  an extremely solid third option. He also has the most iconic image in Magic franchise history as during the Magic’s run to the finals in the 1994-95 season they faced the

led Chicago Bulls. To seal the last game of the series, Anderson stole the ball from Jordan for a dunk the other way.

Small Forward: Dennis Scott

The small forward position has been a weakness for the Magic for some time. However, the best small forward was Dennis Scott. The Magic teams in the ’90s were built similarly to the Dwight Howard-led Magic teams. Scott filled the J.J. Redick role for the Magic. Scott was a straight-up 3-point shooter and a solid defensive player. His 3-point shooting helped take  pressure off of Shaq in the post during the Shaq and Penny years. However, Scott’s best years were before Shaq and Penny’s arrival as he averaged around 20 points per game then became more of a supporting option during the O’Neal and Hardaway years.

Power Forward: Horace Grant

The best power-forward in franchise history was Horace Grant. By the time Grant joined the Magic in 1994, he had helped the Bulls win three NBA titles and brought a much need championship presence to the Magic. Grant was an unbelievable defensive player and took up much of the load in the post since Shaq was never a good defensive player.  Grant’s defensive performance did not come from block shots, but simply good solid defensive and an excellent low base, which made Grant hard to move. The Magic could count on Grant to get a double-double most nights and could be counted on to provide 15 points from the elbow and 10 rebounds every night. His elbow jumper just outside the paint was his go to offensive move.

Best Center: Shaquille O’Neal

The best center in Magic franchise history was Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq was simply a beast with speed and was a nightmare to defend due to his 300-pound frame and his quick feet. However, Shaq was not a great defensive center, although in some seasons he averaged close to three blocks per game. He struggled with on-ball defense, but made up for his defense by averaging 30 points and 10 rebounds during his time with the Magic. Shaq’s most obvious weakness was his free-throw shooting. Many opposing coaches would simply foul Shaq in the closing minutes knowing he would most likely miss the free throws. Shaq will still go down as the best player in franchise history, especially after the departure of Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers

Best Team

The best Magic team was the 1994-95 team that got swept by the Houston Rockets in the finals. The Magic dominated the Eastern Conference with a 57-25 record. During the playoffs,  the Magic swept the Boston Celtics in the last game ever played in the Boston Garden. Then they defeated the Bulls in six games, which is the only time that any team was able to beat the Bulls with Jordan after he one his first title in 1992. The Magic then played a grueling 7 game series against the Reggie Miller led Indiana Pacers. Then the Magic got swept by the Rockets, after going to the Finals for the first time in franchise history.