UCFJayBird wrote:npiper17 wrote:tiderulz wrote:
I dont personally believe that Penny had a higher profile than Dwight. More media options available during Dwight's time with Orlando which helps. If Penny was here now vs then, it would probably be Penny.
I hear what you're saying but will Dwight get an ESPN 30 for 30 in 20 years about his time in Orlando?
I actually think more media options meant there was less focus on Dwight than Shaq and Penny had in the 90s.
I think there's a decent chance he gets that 30 for 30 long before then, say in the next 5-10 years. It'll revolve around how in his first 6 or so years in the league he was a star, one of the most well liked players in the league, and then suddenly he began clashing with coaching and management, and went through a media circus over whether or not he wanted out of Orlando. Probably won't happen until his story (playing career) is finished though.
This is a tough question. What makes a player iconic for a team? Is it when a team is mentioned, what players come to mind? if that's the case, I'd put Dwight, Shaq, T-Mac all in the same conversation, maybe even Penny. If we're talking if when a PLAYER is mention, what team comes to mind? Dwight, T-Mac, and Penny, but not Shaq. Shaq is associated more with the Lakers and Heat than the Magic.
I think it's the first one though, when a team is mentioned, who comes to mind. For me it's Dwight and T-Mac.
I take your point on the 30 for 30 thing. If Dwight did have one then it would probably focus on the narrative you outlined. However I don't think Dwight will end his career being forever considered a 'Magic' in the way that say Penny is, despite having played for other teams. I think this is partly because back in the early 90s there was so much interest around the up-and-coming Magic (as detailed in the 30 for 30) whereas even when Dwight was at the peak of his powers in Orlando, the national attention always seemed to be elsewhere - Boston Big 3, Lebron, Kobe, etc. I guess that's what I struggle with the notion of Dwight as an icon.