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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Aug 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA center Dwight Howard shoots during the USA men's basketball national team minicamp at Mendenhall Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA center Dwight Howard shoots during the USA men’s basketball national team minicamp at Mendenhall Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis

Another great era of Magic basketball happened fairly recently.

Under Stan Van Gundy, the Magic won division championships in three straight years beginning in 2008. They made the NBA Finals in 2009 and the Conference Finals again in 2010.

That team was centered around star center Dwight Howard. The 2004 first overall pick anchored both the Magic offense and the defense, and became one of the best players in the league.

The team was up and coming when Howard began to develop, but officially arrived in the summer of 2007 when they signed Rashard Lewis to a 6-year, $118 million contract. He was a huge part of the team during his time in Orlando.

He was the team’s second-leading scorer in 2008 and 2009. He provided matchup problems for opposing defenses, as he was a versatile forward who had the size to play the 4 but had the skill set of a wing player.

He also performed well in big games, making some huge shots that Magic fans still remember to this day. He was second, second and third in win shares during his three full seasons with the team.

Perhaps most importantly was his ability to hit three pointers and stretch the floor for the Magic. Lewis is fifth in Magic history in 3-pointers made, sixth in 3-pointers attempted, and fifth in 3-point percentage (39.9 percent) despite only playing a little more than three seasons.

Overall, Lewis was probably the second best player on those Magic teams. I would also put Hedo Turkoglu as the other player in the trio.

Turkoglu created massive matchup problems for opposing defenses, being 6-foot-10 but having the skill set of a guard, similar to Lewis.

He did everything for the team, especially in the 2009 Finals trip. He created plays, he created shots and he could shoot long range shots.

In 2008, Turkoglu averaged a career-high 19.5 points per game, five assists and more than 5 rebounds. He put up similar numbers in the finals season.

Turkoglu was a vital part of this strong Magic team, and he earned his spot on the second best trio in Magic history.

Next: Shaq and Penny