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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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Courtney Lee. 38. SG. Western Kentucky. 11. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

2008 — Round 1, Pick 22

To the rest of the world, Courtney Lee might be known as the guy who missed the layup in Game 2 of the 2009 NBA Finals. For the record, Pau Gasol goaltended that layup and it was on an alley-oop from essentially behind the basket. You try making that shot.

It was not easy, that is the point.

To Magic fans, Courtney Lee was the hard-nosed (literally, actually) shooting guard who played the perfect complimentary role in the team’s 2009 NBA Finals run. There would have been no run without the fearless play of this rookie. Or his timely shooting.

Lee needed some time to get acclimated to the NBA, but he found his groove just as the Magic were kicking it into gear for their Playoff run.

Even Dwight Howard breaking his nose did not stop him. He put on a mask for the last two rounds of the Playoffs, was not afraid to dunk on LeBron James and played a critical role for the team scoring the upset.

He was a player many Magic fans were excited to see continue growing as a defensive stopper and corner 3-point shooter. But that is not how this world works.

The Magic traded him that summer to the New Jersey Nets for Vince Carter. It is a deal many Magic fans still say they regret. And Lee became another draft pick that did not reach his full potential in Orlando.