Chitika

Saturday, March 31, 2012

The Best Orlando Magic in History

By Jack Jones


The Orlando Magic have made the postseason 13 times in 22 seasons. . The Organization was founded in 1989 and is comparatively young, but has been graced with the presence of talented players like Tracy McGrady, Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, Vince Carter and Shaquille O'Neal. The best Orlando Magic players in history are Dwight Howard, Shaquille O'Neal and Tracy McGrady.

Tracy McGrady (2000 "2004)

Tracy McGrady does not command near the respect he truly deserves. McGrady was sometimes a one man show, especially with Grant Hill struggling with injuries. He swiftly became the leader of the team and the top scorer. From his time being a Magic, he managed to become the fourth leading scorer, seventh in assists and sixth in total rebounds in the team's history. In the 2002 to 2003 season he became the youngest player to seize the NBA scoring title, averaging 32.1 points per game. He captured a second NBA scoring title in the 2003-04 season averaging 28.0 points per game, including a career high 62 points against the Wizards. McGrady was a 4 time NBA All-Star and 4 time All-NBA selection. McGrady was a high caliber player in Orlando who never got the supporting cast he wanted to make things happen.

Shaquille O'Neal (1992 "1996)

It may be a bit of a surprise to some to see O'Neal on this list. He became famous for calling the Orlando Magic a "dried up pond". So why then is he one of the best Magic in history? The first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft made four NBA All Star appearances, 3 All-NBA Team selections and was named Rookie of the Year in 1993. His first season in Orlando he averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game. His second season at Orlando, he led the NBA in field goal percentage at 60%. He carried the Magic to their very first playoff appearance. In 1995 he led Orlando all of the way to the NBA Finals, but they'd lose to the Houston Rockets. Check our odds to win the NBA Finals for a glance at which team is favored to win it all this year. The dominating center made quite an impact for Orlando, both on the court and off it.

Dwight Howard (2004 "Present)

Nicknamed "Superman" the 6'11 playmaker is potentially the most dominating and athletic centers in the game today. Howard leads the team in All-time free throws, rebounds and blocks, and is only second in All time scoring. The player who was drafted 1st in 2004 has so far been named to 5 All-Star games, 4 All-NBA First teams and named Defensive Player of the Year in 2009, 2010 and 2011. "Superman" has led the Magic to 3 Division titles, 2 Conference Finals and the NBA Finals. Howard led the NBA in rebounding from 2007 to 2010. His size, vertical jump, and pure athleticism has led him to become one of the most feared men in basketball. The freak of nature as seen by many has turned into a defensive nightmare for opposing players and will keep on doing so for years to come.

There's not any person more fitting than Dwight Howard to be named the best Magic of All Time. What's left to solidify his name as one of the greatest to ever play the game, is to win a NBA title. Whether or not they come with the Magic is still up in the air.




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