Retrospective: The Top-10 Power Forwards in Orlando Magic History
Honorable Mention (11 through 20):
11. Sidney Green
Sidney Green averaged 10.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in the 1990 season with the Magic. He was traded to San Antonio for Mark McNamara (scrub) and the draft pick that later became Stanley Roberts.
12. Anthony Avent
Anthony Avent played 112 games with the Magic while averaging 3.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in 1994. He was part of the futile search to find a bargain power forward to complete the Magic, before the team eventually did snag Horace Grant to end the misery at the 4-spot. He was better his rookie season in Milwaukee (12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per-36), and his career went southwards from that point onwards.
13. Glen Davis
Glen Davis may not have had a great time while with the Magic, but he was a very good role player before the responsibilities of starting (and taking too many shots) were thrust upon him. He is still getting some minutes for the Los Angeles Clippers this postseason, too.
14. Drew Gooden
Drew Gooden came with high expectations since the Magic had just dealt Rookie of the Year Mike Miller for the third overall pick from the 2002 Draft. Gooden never really fulfilled those expectations, but he did average 11.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in his only full season with Orlando after having come in the deal along with Gordon Giricek. Gooden appeared to have a much higher upside after starting 18 games at the end of the 2003 season and averaging 13.6 points and 8.4 rebounds over that span.
15. Tom Tolbert
Tom Tolbert played 72 games and started 61 in the 1993 season while averaging eight points and five rebound per game. Tolbert was a good shooter, hitting the mid range consistent and shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor. He, too, was part of that search for a power forward in the pre-Horace era.
16. Dewayne Dedmon
The hope is that Dewayne Dedmon climbs a lot higher, because his athleticism and quick learning curve certainly illustrate that of a player who could crack the top-10 of this list if he continues to work. Dedmon is also a seven-footer, which could technically classify him in the center rankings. His career seems best suited for the 4-spot, though.
17. Channing Frye
Channing Frye has become synonymous with bust now. Frye cost the Magic $8.17 million and will cost $7.8 and $7.4 in the final two years of his contract. Given his 9.5 PER that does not seem like a very good value thus far.
18. Earl Clark
Earl Clark had a lot of potential but never seemed to be comfortable on the court. His moves were telegraphed and he played like a rookie past his rookie season. He has appeared in just 19 games in the past two seasons and may not be a viable pro anymore.
19. Aaron Gordon
The jury is still out on whether Aaron Gordon was worth a No. 4 overall pick, but his flashes indicate he is. The problem was, as mentioned on OMD, his inconsistency and mental lapses negate all the highlights.
20. Andrew Nicholson
Andrew Nicholson looked promising as a rookie when he started 28 games and averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He has since not improved much, and last season he appeared in just 40 games despite being healthy. His averages per-36 are still promising (14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds), but he is not getting minutes for a reason, and that reason is mostly defense. Every once in a while Nicholson records a nice blocked shot, but most of the time teams are unafraid to take the ball right at him.