Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: The best starting lineup

Power Forward

Ryan Doyle: Rashard Lewis. During the 2009 Finals run, and all the successful teams in that era, Lewis played a major role on those teams. He played the stretch-4 role and was a perfect fit at the time. I also considered Horace Grant, who was a big reason why the Magic were able to reach their first finals appearance.

David Iwanowski: Rashard Lewis. He created such a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, and was a huge reason for the success of the Magic offense. He had the height of a power forward and the skill set of a guard. He was an efficient high-volume shooter. Many people think that Magic team started this revolution of more versatile, wing-style power forwards, and Lewis’ unique abilities were the reason for that.

Zach Palmer: I will go with Rashard Lewis here. Lewis initially was signed to play the small forward position and become the go-to perimeter scorer the Magic lacked after dealing Tracy McGrady. But an injury to Tony Battie and a lack of options at power forward opened the door for Rashard Lewis and he and the Magic never looked back. Lewis’ ability to space the floor and cruise by bigs that attempted to close out began the NBA’s new stretch four era and that earns him the nod of Horace Grant for me.

Philip Rossman-Reich: Rashard Lewis does not get the respect he deserves for what he brought to the Orlando Magic. The contract he signed — a max contract he never quite lived up to — colored the way Magic fans perceive him. Like Horace Grant, Lewis transformed the way the Magic played. Lewis, and what he did with Stan Van Gundy, truly revolutionized the NBA. The Magic would not have become the championship-contending team it was without Lewis’ sacrifice and play. He became the model for modern power forward. The Magic were trendsetters on that front.

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