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Orlando Magic: 25 Best Players To Play For The Magic

By Phil Watson

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 11: A general view of Amway Center during the game between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center on December 11, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 11: A general view of Amway Center during the game between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center on December 11, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1993: Scott Skiles #4 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball past Michael Adams #10 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1993 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Skiles played for the Magic from 1989-94. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Scott Skiles; Michael Adams
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1993: Scott Skiles #4 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball past Michael Adams #10 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1993 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Skiles played for the Magic from 1989-94. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Scott Skiles; Michael Adams /

Scott Skiles. 15. player. 38. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Expansion draft, Indiana Pacers, June 15, 1989.. PG. 1989-94

The fledgling Orlando Magic took Indiana Pacers point guard Scott Skiles in their expansion draft in June 1989 and he emerged as the franchise’s first floor leader.

His time with Orlando was highlighted by Skiles setting the NBA single-game record with 30 assists in a win over the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 30, 1990, the high point in a 1990-91 season during which Skiles was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player.

ORL_15_SKILES
ORL_15_SKILES /

He was second in the NBA in assists and third in assists and minutes per game in 1992-93, twice finished in fifth in 3-point shooting (1990-91 and 1993-94) and was fifth in the NBA in free-throw shooting in 1992-93.

In July 1994, Skiles was traded with first-round picks in 1996 and 1998 to the Washington Bullets for a first-rounder in 1998 and a 1996 second-round selection.

In five seasons with the Magic, Skiles averaged 12.9 points, 7.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 31.1 minutes per game, shooting .436/.380/.892.

The Big Ten Player of the Year in 1985-86, Skiles was taken 22nd overall by the Milwaukee Bucks out of Michigan State in the 1986 NBA Draft. He was traded to the Pacers in June 1987 before coming to Orlando in the expansion draft.

Released by Washington in July 1995, Skiles signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers in December 1995, but retired in January 1996 after appearing in only 10 games.

He did make a comeback in Greece in 1996-97 as a player-coach before ending his playing career.

Skiles spent parts of three seasons as head coach of the Phoenix Suns (1999-2002), going 116-79. Later, he coached the Chicago Bulls for parts of five seasons (2003-08) with a 165-172 record and was coach of the Bucks from 2008-12, with a mark of 162-182.

In May 2015, Skiles was head coach of the Magic, but resigned May 12, 2016, after one season and a 35-47 record.

His .889 free-throw percentage ranks ninth in NBA history and his average of 6.5 assists per game is 39th.

Next: Nice Payoff For A Rental Player

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