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Orlando Magic Top 25: The Nos. 6-10 best players in Orlando Magic history

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - 1994: Nick Anderson #25 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons circa 1994 at Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. 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 1994 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - 1994: Nick Anderson #25 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons circa 1994 at Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. 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 1994 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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6. Nick Anderson (1990-99)

High/Low: 5/UR

By Zach Palmer

While most of the talk regarding the early Orlando Magic teams rightfully revolves around superstars Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee Hardaway, many forget just how skilled and important Nick Anderson was.

The majority of people point to Horace Grant as Orlando’s third best player on that 1995 team, but the truth is that Nick Anderson was just as important and possibly more important to that team’s success.

While many try to define Anderson’s career based on those horrifying four missed free throws against the Houston Rockets, that is not what fans should remember about Anderson’s career.

What should be remembered about Anderson was his steal against Michael Jordan that helped lead Orlando to the conference finals. What should be remembered is Nick Anderson’s 50-point game off the bench — while fighting an illness.

Before O’Neal, Anderson was actually early Orlando’s first option offensively. And while those teams were not great, Anderson posted consecutive seasons of 19.9 points per game on respectable shooting numbers.

When Orlando added more talented players, Anderson changed his role to help the team win game. Anderson became more of a secondary playmaker and spot-up shooter with the additions of O’Neal and Hardaway. It helped Orlando achieve a lot of success.

Now, while we do not want to remember Anderson for his missed free throws, it would be wrong to ignore the impact it had on his career. Before those free throws Anderson shot 69.7 percent from the free-throw line. Afterwards, Anderson shot 60.5 percent from the line and never claimed back the confidence he once had offensively, even with O’Neal’s departure and a shortage of scoring.

With all that said, Nick Anderson is one of the Magic’s all-time greatest players.

Anderson is the franchise leader in games played and it is hard to find a stat relevant to a wing player where Nick Anderson does not place top five for the franchise.

With all that in mind, Nick Anderson places a rightful sixth on Orlando’s all-time players list.

Next. Orlando Magic Top 25: Nos. 11-15. dark

The top five of our list will be revealed Friday!