Orlando Magic Daily
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Final Position Retrospective: The All-Time Orlando Magic Roster

By Brett David Roberts

1993: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Orlando Magic takes a break during an NBA game circa 1993. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
1993: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Orlando Magic takes a break during an NBA game circa 1993. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Power Forward:  Rashard Lewis / Horace Grant / Ryan Anderson

Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis (9) drives to the basket for a shot past Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley (30) and center Joel Anthony during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis (9) drives to the basket for a shot past Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley (30) and center Joel Anthony during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/John Raoux) /

The frontcourt forwards, you now see, are the ’09 team’s tandem of Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu.  That duo just presented so many matchup problems for other teams, and it’s hard to release that notion in an all-time setting.

If Lewis and Turkoglu functioned so well with Dwight Howard, how much more so would they benefit from a great passing big like Shaquille O’Neal?

O’Neal did not turn it over as much as Howard and he made quicker and better decisions when throwing it out to the plethora of shooters cohabiting the court with him.

The Magic had a nice combo with Donald Royal/Dennis Scott/Horace Grant at the forward spots, but Lewis and Turkoglu just add an entire new dimension with the ability to play the wings and hit difficult shots.

Turkoglu took a number of fadeaway jumpers we swore would be ill-fated, but often somehow fell. With both Turkoglu and McGrady in the lineup, there would be bad shots, but those misses could be cleaned up by either Howard or Shaq. More often than not, however, McGrady managed to hit the toughest shots.

Horace Grant and Shaquille O'Neal
Horace Grant and Shaquille O'Neal /

Horace Grant would provide some muscle off the bench.  In addition to that, his mid-range shooting would continue to press the opposing forward away from the main attractions at center. Grant could also moonlight at center if Howard or O’Neal were to miss time, or if one got ejected or fouled out.

Grant also provides championship experience as a three-time champion with the Chicago Bulls. He averaged 20.5 points per game against his former team in the playoffs, perhaps the finest basketball of his NBA career.

Ryan Anderson is another hired gun for this team, and while he may not see the majority of the minutes if Lewis were cold he would get his number called. Anderson is capable of getting red hot, and his place on the roster is again due to the fact that it makes as much sense as anything to add extra shooters to this roster whenever possible.

Next: The TWO Supermans?