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The 10 Best Debuts Of The NBA Playoffs

By Josh Eberley

Apr 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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DAVID MILLS/AFP/Getty Images)
DAVID MILLS/AFP/Getty Images) /

Shaquille O’Neal, Orlando Magic, 1994

Age 21
Points 24
Rebounds 19
Assists 3

If you missed it, This Magic Moment was phenomenal, a must watch. While we are on the subject, the best piece to ever grace Grantland in my opinion was this piece on the Anfernee Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal Magic.

Most of us primarily remember the Los Angeles Lakers version of O’Neal, which is rather reasonable considering he was the best player on the planet for a three- or four-year span. The three-peat, the MVP, the fierce Finals performances; it was good times. But before the Laker days and after he was just some big kid from LSU, there were some magical moments.

Of those moments, at 21 years old, O’Neal had a near 20-20 contest in his first time ever braving a playoff atmosphere. Shooting 11-of-20 from the floor as an NBA infant, O’Neal had his way with the Pacers. Unfortunately, despite the sensational performance O’Neal and his Orlando peers left the arena that night with an X in the loss column.

The Magic lost by a single point, the Achilles heel of O’Neal was always his free throw shooting. On this particular night he shot 2-of-6 from the charity stripe; it spoiled what could’ve been a near-perfect debut.

Next: Gary Brokaw 1976