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Orlando Magic: 15 best draft picks of all time

By Philip Rossman-Reich

AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 30: Chris Webber, number one overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, shakes hands with Penny Hardaway, number three overall pick by the Orlando Magic, during the NBA Draft at The Palace of Auburn Hills on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 30: Chris Webber, number one overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, shakes hands with Penny Hardaway, number three overall pick by the Orlando Magic, during the NBA Draft at The Palace of Auburn Hills on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic
BOSTON, : Shaquille O’Neal of the Orlando Magic drives past Eric Montross of the Boston Celtics 20 March, in Boston, Massachusetts. O’Neal finished with 28 points, with the Magic winning 112-90. AFP PHOTO John MOTTERN/jm (Photo credit should read JOHN MOTTERN/AFP/Getty Images) /

One word has defined the Orlando Magic and their legacy for much of their 30-year existence.

Shaquille O’Neal.

He is a monolith within the Magic organization — both the root cause of the team’s great successes and the root cause of its greatest shames and failures. His departure haunts the team in many ways still.

Winning the NBA Draft Lottery in 1992 was a franchise-changing moment. It would be for everyone. As the story goes, every team had a No. 1 O’Neal jersey hidden underneath their desks. The Magic and their personnel now say they were still torn on the pick up until the final day. But that is not fooling anyone. Christian Laettner and Alonzo Mourning are no Shaquille O’Neal.

O’Neal instantly made the Magic a household and national franchise. They were a show in the NBA and quickly became one of the best and most exciting teams in the league. Even in four seasons, O’Neal might be the best player in franchise history. The argument for Dwight Howard seems more base don longevity than actual statistics.

O’Neal ended up averaging 27.2 points and 12.5 rebounds per game in a Magic uniform. He was a dominant, athletic big man who no one in the league had any kind of answer for.

Next: Orlando Magic Top 25: Top 6 players in team history

And there is no other answer for the best pick in Magic history. Sometimes, it is the obvious one.