Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic’s Top 5 Trios

By David Iwanowski

Jan 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) high fives forward Channing Frye (8) and center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) against the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) high fives forward Channing Frye (8) and center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) against the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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DarrellArmstrong_display_image
DarrellArmstrong_display_image /

4. Penny Hardaway, Horace Grant, Darrell Armstrong

This trio also had a huge meaning to the Magic franchise.

The years after Shaq left were so important to the Magic franchise. The team had to prove it would bounce back from that crushing blow, and the hopes of Magic fans everywhere were on the back of star guard Penny Hardaway.

In the first two years of this era, Penny had injury problems, specifically in the 1998 season. However, he was still the star of the team, and played well when he did play. He bounced back to play all 50 games in the lockout-shortened 1999 season, and led the team in scoring.

The Magic made the playoffs in two of those three seasons, and finished 41-41 in the other.

The up-and-coming Darrell Armstrong is another player I placed in this trio. Armstrong was undrafted, and signed with the Magic toward the end of the 1995 season. He really made a name for himself after O’Neal left and Hardaway transferred full time to shooting guard.

He worked hard and eventually became a key player for the team in the post-Shaq era.

He began playing regularly in 1998, and averaged nearly 14 points and seven assists per game in ’1999, on his way to winning Most Improved Player. He was also considered the leader of the beloved Heart and Hustle team.

He had a considerable impact on this era of Magic basketball, and led the team in Win Shares in 1999 and 2000.

I felt the need to include Horace Grant here. Grant was a very solid player for the Magic, and also provided them with championship experience.

Feb 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA former player Horace Grant signs on autograph for Tristen Berger, 10, of New Orleans during the NBA All Star Jam Session at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA former player Horace Grant signs on autograph for Tristen Berger, 10, of New Orleans during the NBA All Star Jam Session at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

He nearly averaged a double-double in 1997 and 1998, while still sporting a respectable nine points and seven rebounds per game season in 1999 despite being 33 years old.

He was second, second, and third respectively in win shares during that three-year span. He also provided another symbol of the fact the winning was not quite over.

This era was big for the Magic franchise, and this trio made sure the Magic were resilient after the Shaq decision.

Next: The T-Mac Era