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Orlando Magic: All-Time Starting Five

By James D. Tillman III

Basketball: Orlando Magic Shaquille O'Neal (32), Anfernee Penny Hardaway (1) and Dennis Scott (3) in huddle during timeout during game vs Chicago Bulls at Orlando Arena. Orlando, FL 1/26/1995 CREDIT: Ben Van Hook (Photo by Ben Van Hook /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X47773 )
Basketball: Orlando Magic Shaquille O'Neal (32), Anfernee Penny Hardaway (1) and Dennis Scott (3) in huddle during timeout during game vs Chicago Bulls at Orlando Arena. Orlando, FL 1/26/1995 CREDIT: Ben Van Hook (Photo by Ben Van Hook /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X47773 ) /
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13 Dec 1995: Guard Penny Hardaway of the Orlando Magic looks on during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Jonathan D
13 Dec 1995: Guard Penny Hardaway of the Orlando Magic looks on during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Jonathan D /

Point Guard: Anfernee (Penny) Hardaway

After taking O’Neal with the No. 1 pick in the 1992 draft, the Magic had the top overall pick in the 1993 draft as well.

At the time former Michigan Wolverine forward Chris Webber was considered to be the top player in the draft, and Orlando seemed poised to select him.

But after Anfernee Hardaway secured another workout with the team, the Magic brass saw him in a different light. On draft night, the Magic did select Webber, but then traded him to the Golden State Warriors for the rights to Hardaway and three, count ’em, three future first-round picks.

Standing at 6-foot-7, Hardaway was frequently compared to Magic Johnson coming out of college because of his ability see the floor and run the fast break like few other players could.

In his rookie campaign, Hardaway average an impressive 16.0 points, 6.6 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game, which earned him a spot on the All-Rookie First Team.

Over the next three seasons, Hardaway averaged at least 20.5 points, 5.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds. And during his six-year stint in Orlando, Penny’s averages included 19.0 points, 6.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per contest.

Furthermore, Hardaway earned four All-Star selections (1995-’98); was named to the All-NBA First Team twice (1995, ’96) and the All-NBA Third team in 1997.

Unfortunately, Hardaway’s time in Orlando did not end on a good note. Not only were there rumors about him being behind the firing of then head coach Brian Hill, Hardaway was also labeled as a prima donna that deserted his team while rehabbing a knee injury, per Phil Taylor of SI.com.

Whether Magic fans view him as a bonafied star or a player who was unable to resuscitate his career due to injuries, Hardaway’s body of work speaks for itself.

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