Orlando Magic: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

1. Dwight Howard (2004)

• Pick: 1st
• Orlando seasons: 8 (2004-2012)
• Orlando averages: 621 games, 36.2 minutes, 18.4 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals
• Orlando slash line: .577/.030/.588
• Picked before: N/A

It’s crazy to think there was a debate about whether or not the Magic should draft Dwight Howard straight out of high school or Emeka Okafor, the best player on the best team in college basketball.

Whether you hate Howard or you love him, you can’t deny he’s one of if not the best players in the history of the Orlando Magic franchise. Howard is the franchise leader in minutes played, points, rebounds, blocks, and if win shares are your thing, he had a bunch of those too.

Howard was a workhorse, playing 82 games five times and only fewer than 78 games once. The big man never averaged lower than 32 minutes per game. He was the starting center right out of the gate as a 19-year-old.

Howard’s accomplishments speak for themselves. He was a six-time All-Star and won Defensive Player of the Year three times in a row. Only two other players have won the award three times – Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo. He was First-Team All-NBA five times and led the league in rebounding four times.

Howard made the playoffs in six of his eight seasons with the team. The Magic hadn’t been out of the first round since Shaq and Penny before Howard took the reigns, but Dwight led the franchise to their second Finals ever.

Things ended horribly in Orlando for Howard, and everywhere he’s gone since, but his reputation is building back up playing in another winning situation for the Los Angeles Lakers. Maybe Orlando fans can forgive Howard for bailing when their squad is a contender, like Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors.

Howard is a Hall of Famer and a no-brainer for the top spot on this list.