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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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BALTIMORE, MD – CIRCA 1990’s: Center Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Orlando Magic in this portrait standing at the free-throw line against the Washington Bullets circa mid 1990’s during an NBA basketball game at the US Airways Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. O’Neal played for the Magic from 1992-96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – CIRCA 1990’s: Center Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Orlando Magic in this portrait standing at the free-throw line against the Washington Bullets circa mid 1990’s during an NBA basketball game at the US Airways Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. O’Neal played for the Magic from 1992-96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Center: Shaquille O’Neal

As it was alluded to earlier, the Magic selected Shaquille O’Neal with the overall top pick in the 1992 draft, and from the moment he arrived, things began to look up for a team that failed to make the playoffs in its first three years of existence.

The Magic just missed the playoffs in Shaq’s first season, but he was nothing short of phenomenal. During his rookie season, O’Neal averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per contest.

Needless to say, it was no surprise that he was named Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Rookie First team.

Over the next three seasons — all of which the Magic advanced to the playoffs — O’Neal never averaged less than 26 points and 11 boards per contest.

In spite of the gaudy numbers, O’Neal and the Magic failed to come to an agreement on a long-term deal following the 1996 season, and he eventually signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Some will say that Dwight Howard should get the nod as the top player at the center position being that he is the team’s all-time leading scorer.

At the same time, O’Neal was the franchise’s first superstar and his averages of 27.2 points (on 58 percent shooting), 12.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per contest during his four seasons in Orlando cannot and should not be ignored.

Whether he was bringing down backboards …

Or holding his own against one of the best centers in the league …

More hoops habit: Orlando Magic: 2016 Offseason Grades

O’Neal was an unstoppable force on the court from day one, which is why he rounds out my selection of the Magic’s all-time starting five.

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