Top 10 Magic Players of All-Time
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 8:08 pm
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.
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.