Retrospective: Ranking the Orlando Magic’s Top “Big 3s”

4) Tracy McGrady / Darrell Armstrong / Mike Miller (2001-02)

There is an argument to be made Tracy McGrady is in fact the best player to ever come through Orlando despite his lack of Playoff success, and the fact he led the league in scoring twice is a pillar in that argument. McGrady at times was entirely unstoppable, and so often I remember yelling at my TV “Don’t shoot that!” just to see McGrady find nothing but the bottom of the net.

At 6-foot-9, he was one of the biggest 2-guards in the league (when he played there, he also was featured at small forward at times), and he was kind of Kevin Durant before Durant was even close to coming onto the scene. His length made him impossible for defenses to really bother his shot, and McGrady at that point still possessed immense athleticism.

Darrell Armstrong we will touch on later, but he had found his chance to become the major playmaker in Orlando after lingering on the bench behind Hardaway and Brian Shaw during Orlando’s first Finals run.

We had an idea Armstrong had talent, but only when the team declined was he really given his chance to shine. Most have nothing but fond memories of the guy who was dubbed the “Energizer Bunny” — Armstrong just kept going, and going, and going.

Mike Miller won Rookie of the Year in Orlando but of course went on to have a pretty underwhelming career. With the Magic he was much more than the spot-up shooter he eventually devolved into being. Miller was also a former Florida Gator, helping to bring some local favoritism to the Magic’s team.

While Mike Miller may have never had the career he was capable of, he shined brightly in Orlando as a much better athlete than what the litany of injuries eventually did to his body later in his career.

Now, nearly decrepit, few remember how dynamic a guard he was while In Orlando. Maybe Magic fans are the only ones who fully realize how good Miller was and could have continued to be.

It is yet another great “What-if” in a slideshow ridden with them.

Next: Staying relevant without you-know-who