Each NBA team’s most clutch player of all-time

Most clutch player in Orlando Magic history: Hedo Turkoglu

The Orlando Magic are generally discussed in clutch moments in a negative sense. One of LeBron James’ most iconic shots was against the Magic. Courtney Lee blew a layup that could have changed the outcome of the 2009 NBA Finals, but instead, the Magic folded to the Lakers. The two greatest players in the franchise’s history were centers with mixed clutch performances.

An unlikely player to claim the mantle of most clutch, Hedo Turkoglu is nonetheless deserving. One of the best point forwards of his time, Turkoglu was the best perimeter player on the Orlando Magic teams that helped to push the envelope on team identity with their 4-out approach.

Key Moment: The 2009 playoffs were the best chance for the Magic to win a title, with the Celtics weakened by the loss of Kevin Garnett to injury. In the Eastern Conference Finals they faced LeBron James and the Cavaliers, and both Game 1 and Game 2 went down to the wire.

In Game 1 the Cavaliers were up two with only a few seconds remaining, and Turkoglu created an open look for Rashard Lewis who knocked down the 3-pointer to give the Magic the win. In Game 2, it was Turkoglu’s turn to score the points. With the Magic down three and under a minute to play, Turkoglu hit a 3-pointer to tie the game and then a 2-point jumper with one second remaining to put the Magic up by one.

History was not kind to Turkoglu, as that one second was enough for LeBron James to hit an incredible buzzer beater and steal the win. But the Magic knew they could hang with James, and proceeded to win three of the next four games and advance to the NBA Finals.