Top 10 Magic Players of All-Time

[The Real Dalic]

I've been thinking recently about who the top Magic players in history have been and I've been a hard time putting a personal list together. Obviously guys like Dwight, Tmac, Hardaway, and Shaq are at the very top, but then it's harder to put where the Turk's and Nelson's are at on the list.

I also only want to rank them during their time on the Magic and not what they did before/after. I also like to rank individual talent over team accomplishments. As it's more fair to the players that didn't have as good of a team as others. You guys are free to do it in anyway you can though, obviously.

My list is:

1. McGrady: He was just an absolute monster on the court, his run with the Magic made him the best player in the NBA, imo. It might be one of the greatest peaks of all-time. He was a do-it-all player that had virtually no weaknesses. It's a shame Hill was injured as that could've been a fantastic duo.

2. Howard: This one is obvious as he was one of the longest tenured Magic players and his accomplishments include leading the Magic in almost every single statistical category as well as leading his team to the Finals.

3. Shaq: Easily the best player in our history in terms of All-Time rankings in the NBA as a whole. Unfortunately for us, he didn't have a long stay here. This is the biggest shame we have and the biggest 'what if' in our franchises history.

4. Penny: One of the most popular players in our history and could've been the greatest rival to Jordan during that span if not for his unfortunate injuries. Him and Shaq could've possibly formed the best duo of all-time if some things were different. Also wish I was young enough to appreciate Lil' Penny.

5. Lewis: This is officially where it starts to get difficult of ranking our players, as there are a couple who could be at this 5 spot. I went with Lewis because he was such a good player that he helped shift the NBA into a more positionless basketball. Elite 3 point shooter with one of the most unique, yet beautiful jumpers in the game. As well as an underrated post player and defender. One of the biggest reasons the Magic were such a strong team and made it to the Finals.

6. Turkoglu: One of Lewis' running mates and another matchup problem for other teams. A 6'10 Foward who can pass, shoot and dribble isn't as special anymore today, but a decade ago, it was a rare and special thing to have on the team. He was such a special playmaker, that he was effectively the PG in most possessions. Also, possibly the most clutch player in Magic history.

7. Vucevic: I was ready to put him at 5 on longevity alone. But it makes more sense to have him at 7 to me because Turk and Lewis were essential parts of a Finals team. Unfortunately for Vuc, he hasn't had the talent around him that they did, so he accomplished less. However, he's been such an important and underrated part of our team for what is almost a decade now. He gets a lot of flack around here for things he can't control. But make no mistake, this guy is one of the best to wear the pinstripes. I know this one will be the most controversial on my list and I'm ready to debate with anyone who disagrees with how high he is.

8. Nelson: My personal favorite Magic player of all time. There was just something special about this guy. At barely 6' tall he had the heart of a lion and was here from the very beginning of the Dwight saga and here long after. He was an All-Star and a great locker room guy for all the young guys that have come and gone. I really wanted him to be a Magic lifer.

9. Anderson: Nick was the first Magic player that looked like he would've been here for his entire career before being traded. He's easily one of the fan favorites in our teams history and, imo, should've had his jersey retired just for what he meant for this team.

10. Redick: Another one that might be controversial, but Redick was with us for about 7 years and was as professional as can be after not seeing the floor at all really in his first 2-3 years in the league. One of the best shooters in the league to this day and probably the best shooter off of screens today as well off-ball player outside of Curry.

Honorable mentions: Oladipo, Harris, Hill, Francis, Horace Grant

That's my list and it was difficult to make, especially since I was born in '93 and didn't really start watching this team until TMac got here. So I don't have enough knowledge on players during the seasons before that I wish I did. I'm really interested in seeing the top 10 for you guys though. Especially the older generation that has seen this team from the beginning.

[Max Power]

I’ll play. It’s such a subjective thing to debate, where everyone’s got their favs. Here’s how I see it.

1. Shaq - Best player in our history. Scoring champion in his tenure I believe. Put the Magic on the map.

2. Tracy Mcgrady - Perhaps the most naturally gifted player to ever wear a Magic uniform. T-Mac was what Penny Hardaway was supposed to be.

3 Dwight Howard - Generationally talented defender. Lead the best Magic team of all time. Longest superstar tenure.

4. Penny Hardaway - Looked like Jordan’s heir apparent till knees injuries and Shaq’s departure took the 90’s Magic off the rails. Could have been an all time great.

5. Hedo Turkoglu - Uncrowned allstar. Most clutch Magic player ever. Without Hedo, Magic never contend in the late 2000’s.

6. Nikola Vucevic - All Star big man. Consistently good most of the last decade. Proof that fundamental bigs can still make a big impact.

7. Jameer Nelson - Magic’s longest tenured point guard, all star and leader of a conference champion. His impact was always understated. No point guard has even been close on a leadership scale here since.

8. Rashard Lewis - Vital piece to conference title team in ‘09. Could score from anywhere. Perfect complimentary piece to Dwight and Hedo. Underrated defender.

9. Nick Anderson - Longest tenured player in team history. Always hit big shots, defended well. Backbone of the team during formative years.

10. Grant Hill - Now hear me out, the last 3 years he played here Grant was a very good, steady vet presence during the early days of the Dwight/Jameer era. Became a stand out defender while providing solid scoring and playmaking while the team learned to win.

[Knightro]

This is a tough one because the Magic's two most dominant players were only here 4 years apiece.

Because of that fact, I'm going to not factor in longevity at all...

1. Shaquille O'Neal
2. Tracy McGrady
3. Dwight Howard
4. Penny Hardaway
5. Rashard Lewis
6. Horace Grant
7. Darrell Armstrong
8. Nikola Vucevic
9. Hedo Turkoglu
10. Nick Anderson

[The Real Dalic]

I’ll play. It’s such a subjective thing to debate, where everyone’s got their favs. Here’s how I see it.

That right there is why I was so interested in this. We all know who the top 4 are, they may not be in the same places for everyone, but those guys are the top 4 for sure. After that, you could argue literally anybody. I'm also surprised to see that, at least for the two other posts on here, that Vucevic is as highly regarded by some as I think he should be.

[The Real Dalic]

This is a tough one because the Magic's two most dominant players were only here 4 years apiece.

Because of that fact, I'm going to not factor in longevity at all...

1. Shaquille O'Neal
2. Tracy McGrady
3. Dwight Howard
4. Penny Hardaway
5. Rashard Lewis
6. Horace Grant
7. Darrell Armstrong
8. Nikola Vucevic
9. Hedo Turkoglu
10. Nick Anderson

Really, really interested in hearing what you have to say about DA at 7 as well as Grant at 6. I was too young to watch Grant and I hear about him a lot here in Orlando as a great player, but obviously never getting to watch him means I don't know much about him besides the goggles. DA is one of my favorite players in Magic history, but surprised by how high you have him. So, interested in that.

[NavalAviator94]

This is a tough one because the Magic's two most dominant players were only here 4 years apiece.

Because of that fact, I'm going to not factor in longevity at all...

1. Shaquille O'Neal
2. Tracy McGrady
3. Dwight Howard
4. Penny Hardaway
5. Rashard Lewis
6. Horace Grant
7. Darrell Armstrong
8. Nikola Vucevic
9. Hedo Turkoglu
10. Nick Anderson

Really, really interested in hearing what you have to say about DA at 7 as well as Grant at 6. I was too young to watch Grant and I hear about him a lot here in Orlando as a great player, but obviously never getting to watch him means I don't know much about him besides the goggles. DA is one of my favorite players in Magic history, but surprised by how high you have him. So interested in that.

Darrel Armstrong is my favorite Magic player of all time. I have a signed game ball of him and it’s the only memorabilia I keep out in my office.

[BadMofoPimp]

1. Shaquille O'Neal
2. Tracy McGrady
3. Dwight Howard
4. Penny Hardaway
5. Nikola Vucevic
6. Rashard Lewis
7. Darrell Armstrong
8. Horace Grant
9. Nick Anderson
10. Hedo Turkoglu

[Knightro]

Really, really interested in hearing what you have to say about DA at 7 as well as Grant at 6. I was too young to watch Grant and I hear about him a lot here in Orlando as a great player, but obviously never getting to watch him means I don't know much about him besides the goggles. DA is one of my favorite players in Magic history, but surprised by how high you have him. So interested in that.

Grant is highly underrated IMO. He was critically important especially those first two years playing next to Shaq.

36 MPG on a 57 win team in 95 with 9.5 WS and a +3.5 BPM
36 MPG on a 60 win team in 96 with 8.0 WS and a +2.8 BPM
37 MPG on a 45 win team in 97 with 7.7 WS and a +3.4 BPM
37 MPG on a 41 win team in 98 with 7.1 WS and a +2.4 BPM

He finally tailed off in 1999, but those first four years were all tremendous for a player in his 30s who was playing HEAVY minutes.

Horace was an excellent defensive player and excellent rebounder. Somewhat seamlessly made the transition from playing next to Shaq to having to play without him too.

Armstrong's career was so different than the norm. He didn't really even become a full blown rotation player until he was like 28/29 years old.

Again, his peak wasn't very long (common theme among all-time Magic players), but DA from 99-02 was way ahead of his time as an offensive player. He was taking 40% of his shots from beyond the 3PT line, which was a high number for that time period.

But unlike a lot of guys from that era who took a lot of threes like Derek Fisher, Lindsey Hunter, Jason Williams, Damon Jones, Dan Majerle and others, Armstrong maintained a 25% free throw rate.

He really understood the efficiency of FTs + 3PTs in an era where that just wasn't really all that en vogue.

[spinedoc]

1. Shaq - Only one with a nickname, c'mon he's superman.
2. Tmac - Best wing in the business at one time.
3. Penny - Smooth as glass, loved watching him play.
4. Howard - Dominant for a period, then slid hard.
5. Nick Anderson - Can't make a list about the Magic without this guy.
6. Steve Francis - Awesome scoring pg, hogged the ball but could put up numbers quickly.
7. Rashard Lewis - tweener gadget guy as the stretch four came to being. Pretty stroke.
8. Catledge - Old school pf, loved his style.
9. Horace Grant - Better before he got here with Jordan, but deserves to be on the list, maybe higher.
10. Vucevic - and the present, almost went with DA instead, but Grant should probably be the play here.

Wild card - Dennis Scott, someone has to mention him.

[The Real Dalic]

1. Shaq - Only one with a nickname, c'mon he's superman.
2. Tmac - Best wing in the business at one time.
3. Penny - Smooth as glass, loved watching him play.
4. Howard - Dominant for a period, then slid hard.
5. Nick Anderson - Can't make a list about the Magic without this guy.
6. Steve Francis - Awesome scoring pg, hogged the ball but could put up numbers quickly.
7. Rashard Lewis - tweener gadget guy as the stretch four came to being. Pretty stroke.
8. Catledge - Old school pf, loved his style.
9. Horace Grant - Better before he got here with Jordan, but deserves to be on the list, maybe higher.
10. Vucevic - and the present, almost went with DA instead, but Grant should probably be the play here.

Wild card - Dennis Scott, someone has to mention him.

Good call on Scott. Forgot to mention him. Can't talk about the Magic's all-time greats without 3D.

[MagicStarwipe]

1. Elfrid Payton

Psych!

I'm going to go with overall contribution, so in that case longevity and achievements factor in for my list.

1. Dwight Howard
2. Penny
3. Shaq
4. T-Mac
5. Nick
6. Hedo
7. Horace
8. Rashard
9. Jameer
10. Vucevic

[SHAQ32]

Bo Outlaw!

[tommyg]

Im going
1. Dwight
2. Shaq
3. T Mac
4. Penny
5. Hedo
6. Nick Anderson
7. Vucevic
8. Dennis Scott
9. Jameer
10. Rahsard Lewis

[CPBalla2003 n da 863]

My List

1. Shaquille O'Neal - If the question was favorite, he wouldn't make my list. but I must recognize greatness
2. Tracy McGrady - It's a shame we never got to see him play with D12, but I understand his decision to go elsewhere at the time. The best scorer to play in a Magic Uniform, period.
3. Dwight Howard - Shaq built Magic Kingdom, Dwight revive it during his tenure. While he's falling from Grace, he's a lock for the Hall of Fame based on his career in Orlando.
4. Penny Hardaway - Super Talented Guard whose career was derailed by injuries
5. Nikola Vucevic - Solid double-double player, IMO, one of the best International Players we had in Otown
6. Nick Anderson - Nick's past, present and future speaks for itself. Glad he remained a part of the franchise.
7. Jameer Nelson - Smallest dude on the court and played with the biggest heart, great scorer for his size.
8. Hedo Turkoglu - Clutch God, One of the top Point Forwards during his days
9. Darrell Armstrong - The Catalyst behind the Heart and Hustle team
10. Horace Grant - Goggles left the Goat and saw the potential in Shaq and Penny, perfect compliment to that group of guys.

Honorable Mention: Rashard Lewis, Steve Francis, Terry Catledge, Scott Skiles, Dennis Scott

[paperboymafia]

1. Penny

the rest. (well, it's thanks to Penny all those years ago that I became a Magic fan as a random kid living in Switzerland checking box scores on teletext, hah)

----

But in all seriousness...and in no specific order because that becomes tough.

1. Penny
2. Shaq
3. T-Mac
4. Dwight
5. Nick Anderson
6. 3D
7. Turk
8. Vuc
9. Horace
10. DA

Honorouble mentions, Rashard, Jameer, JJ Redick (not necessarily for his play but he came into the league with me disliking him, and left the Magic being one of my all time favourite players and still is)

Hoping to add Isaac on this list in a few years time.

[Jiwol]

5. Nikola Vucevic - Solid double-double player, IMO, one of the best International Players we had in Otown

Considering that all players you ranked higher are Americans, one can guess that according to you Vucevic is THE best international player in Otown

[Max Power]

I’ve noticed none of us have put Rony Seikaly on our lists. Myself included. I am thoroughly disappointed in myself. Seikaly was awesome in the 15 or 16 months he played here.

[Flannerz]

Where's Travis Diener in these lists?!

[Knightro]

I’ve noticed none of us have put Rony Seikaly on our lists. Myself included. I am thoroughly disappointed in myself. Seikaly was awesome in the 15 or 16 months he played here.

Speaking of guys who were really awesome from a metrics perspective over a short period of time...

Ryan Anderson was an absolute beast from an advanced stats perspective in his three years with the Magic.

19.8 PER
.586 TS%
6.1 WS per year
3.8 BPM

[spinedoc]

Where's Travis Diener in these lists?!

Shh, don't wake the crazies. He had an irrational cult following around here.