As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the
game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests
that players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I
have decided to defy those odds.
The Orlando Magic entered the NBA in 1988 as an expansion team.
The name “Magic” refers to the area’s biggest tourist attraction, Walt
Disney World along with its Magic Kingdom. The Magic have a
checkered history, having made the postseason 16 times. The
franchise has reached the NBA Finals twice, losing 4-0 to the
Houston Rockets in 1995 and 4-1 to the Los Angeles Lakers in
2009.
Today, I put together a Magic Dream Team. There are some rigid
criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have
played for the Magic for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions.
Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs
to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is
all-encompassing from all eras.
Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.
This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is
the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The
number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity
also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare
eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
Being on the Magic during a season of being a contender does not
get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Magic
during a bad season is no deterrent to getting a spot on this team.
Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get considered.
To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into
positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players
encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position specific,
after that it will be the best of the rest with four years playing for the
franchise being the first requirement.
So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t
just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would
remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask
yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”
Starting five
Point guard: Penny Hardaway
Hardaway played 14 seasons with four different teams but his six
years with the Magic we're his most impactful seasons. Hardaway
was one of the most influential stars during the Magic’s early
seasons, forming a dynamic duo along with Shaquille O'Neal.
Being a six-foot-seven point guard, Hardaway was a difficult
matchup for opponents.
All four of Hardaway's All-Star appearances came with the Magic.
He was a three-time All NBA (two as a first-teamer) selection and
NBA All Rookie first-team in 1994. The tandem of Hardaway and
O'Neal led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995. In a Magic uniform,
Hardaway averaged 19.0 points, 6.3 assists , 4.7 rebounds and
3.0 steals per game.
Shooting guard: Nick Anderson
Anderson played 10 of his 13 NBA seasons with the Magic. In the
early part of his career, Anderson was the team's primary scoring
option but as the Magic built more talent around him, Anderson’s
role was not as big but just as important.
Anderson was a vital cog in the franchise reaching the 1995 NBA
Finals. Anderson's signature play was his steal of Michael Jordan
in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Anderson never garnered
All Star recognition but enjoyed a very solid career, averaging
14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals.
Small forward: Tracy McGrady
McGrady is often criticized for his team's lack of postseason
success but he is one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history.
At six-foot-eight, McGrady was a tremendously athletic player. He
spent four of his 16 seasons with the Magic.
McGrady was a seven-time All-Star, four as a Magic. He was also
All NBA seven times in his career, two as a first-teamer. He was
the NBA scoring champion in 2003 and 2004. McGrady was also
the Most Improved Player in 2001 on the way to a Hall of Fame
career.
Power forward: Dwight Howard
Howard has his critics but is also the longest tenured Hall of Fame
worthy player with the magic. Howard helped the Magic reach the
2009 NBA championship and also upset the LeBron James led
Cleveland Cavaliers on the way to that finals appearance.
Howard is still active as a Los Angeles Laker but his best seasons
were with Orlando. Five of his seven career NBA All-Stars came
with the Magic. He was also a three-time NBA Defensive Player
of the Year, all with the Magic. During his career in Orlando,
Howard averaged 18.4 points, 13.0 rebounds and 3.1 blocked
shots per game.
Center: Shaquille O’Neal
O'Neal was one of the tallest and heaviest players in NBA history.
On the way to a Hall of Fame career, O'Neal's greatness started
with his first four seasons in the NBA with the Orlando Magic.
O'Neal helped the magic reach the NBA finals in 1995.
Though O'Neal's biggest legacy is bigger with other teams like
the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, his dominance started
with the Magic. During his time in Orlando, he averaged 27.2
points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots per game.
Bench (alphabetical order)
Darrell Armstrong:
Armstrong may not be the first player people think of when they
think of the Orlando Magic. However, he is one of the more
compelling stories. Armstrong went undrafted in 1991 and
played four years in the United States Basketball League. He
eventually landed a spot with the Magic and played there for
eight years. Armstrong was the Most Improved Player in 1999
and earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award that same
season. During his career with the Magic, Armstrong averaged
11.7 points and 5.1 assists and 1.7 steals.
Terry Catledge:
Catledge played eight seasons for three different teams. His last
four were with the magic. Catledge was an original member of
the Magic. During his time with the franchise, Catledge averaged
15.3 points, and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Evan Fournier:
Fournier recently completed his sixth season with the Magic.
Though he never earned any All-Star recognition, after two
nondescript seasons in Denver, Fournier has had six solid
seasons with the Magic. In that span, he has averaged 16.0
points per contest.
Horace Grant:
Grant is known primarily for his role in helping the Chicago Bulls
win three of their six NBA championships in the 1990s. Grant,
however, was the perfect role player to O'Neal, Anderson and
Hardaway. Grant helped the Magic reach the NBA Finals in 1995.
During his time with the Magic, Grant averaged 11.3 points and
8.2 rebounds per game.
Grant Hill:
Hill played seven injury-marred seasons with the Magic but he
makes the cut based on service time and also when he was
healthy he produced enough to deserve a seat at this table.
Three of Hill’s seven All-Star Seasons came with the Magic.
During his career in Orlando, Hill averaged 16.4 points, 5.0
rebounds, 3.1 assists per game.
Rashard Lewis:
Though Lewis only played for the Magic for four seasons, they
were four quality ones. In that span, he was an All-Star one time.
During his time as a Magic, Lewis averaged 16.3 points, 2.1
assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals.
Jameer Nelson:
Nelson's resume may not stand out as a superstar but he spent
10 seasons with the Magic, including helping the team reach the
NBA Finals in 2009. Nelson was an NBA All Rookie second-
teamer in 2005 and an All-Star in 2009. During his time in
Orlando, Nelson averaged 12.6 points and 5.4 assists per game.
Dennis Scott:
Until drafting O'Neal, Scott and Anderson were the Magic's leading
scorers. Scott earned the nickname 3D because of his ability to
consistently hit long-range 3-pointers. Scott's long distance
shooting would be perfect in today's game. Scott was NBA All-
Rookie first team in 1991 and during his time with the Magic he
averaged 14.8 points per game.
Hedo Turkoglu:
The Turkish born Turkoglu spent 15 seasons in the NBA and
played on six different teams including five with the Magic.
Turkoglu helped the Magic reach the NBA Finals in 2009 for the
first time in 14 years. Turkoglu's most statistically reproductive
seasons of his career came with the Magic, during which time he
averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
Nikola Vucevic:
The Serbian born Vucevic recently completed his eighth season
with the Magic after having spent his first seasons in Philadelphia.
Vucevic has been a steadily consistent player throughout his
career with the Magic despite making only one All-Star appearance.
During his career in Orlando, Vucevic is averaging a double-double
with 17.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.
Head coach: Brian Hill
Hill coached six seasons in two different stints (1993-1997; 2007-
2008) and led the franchise to 267 career regular-season victories,
more than any coach in franchise history. He also led the franchise
to 18 playoff wins. The Magic made the postseason in four of his
six seasons. Hill was also an assistant coach when the Magic first
entered the league under then head coach Matt Guokas.
Team: 1994-1995
You could make a case for the 2008-2009 team but this version gets
a slight nod. The Magic formed the look of an ideal team with
Shaquille O'Neal, Nikki Anderson, Dennis Scott, and Penny
Hardaway. The Magic won 57 games during the regular season
but got swept in the NBA Finals by the Houston Rockets. On the
way to the Finals, the Magic defeated the Celtics, Bulls and Pacers.
The win over Chicago was the only series that the Michael Jordan
led Bulls lost in the postseason from 1991-1998.
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