The Top 10 Defenders In Orlando Magic History

9) Horace Grant

Horace Grant falls into what I call the NBA Hall of Fame of Role Players. 

Grant had his moments scoring the basketball, mostly from having one of the most effective long-two-point shots in history. Grant ranked No. 7 in the league in defensive rating in 1992 with the Chicago Bulls. 

Grant also ranks No. 46 all-time in career defensive win shares. Few talk about him as a top-50 defender, nevertheless.

Grant may never make the Hall of Fame, but he really should be inducted into the Magic Hall of Fame. He was a vital part of the 1995 Finals team, and the Magic hit a home run in filling the 4-spot after struggling with no names and talentless journeymen prior to his signing.

The man with goggles perfectly fit alongside Shaquille O’Neal and the Magic were a staunch defensive bunch during the franchise’s first Finals run. 

Grant was the key in defeating the vaunted Bulls team that season. In that series, he showcased both his defensive ability and his scoring prowess. Grant was never much of a shot blocker, but he amassed 24 blocks in the ’95 playoffs. His elite defensive presence was vital to the Magic and he was the “missing piece” by anyone’s reckoning.

Next: A current Magic player!