Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic Top 30: The Most Popular Player in Orlando Magic history

By Philip Rossman-Reich

BOSTON, MA - 1994: Dennis Scott #3, Anfernee Hardaway #1, Shaquille O'Neal #32, Nick Anderson #25, and Jeff Turner #31 of the Orlando Magic return to the court during a game played circa 1994 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - 1994: Dennis Scott #3, Anfernee Hardaway #1, Shaquille O'Neal #32, Nick Anderson #25, and Jeff Turner #31 of the Orlando Magic return to the court during a game played circa 1994 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
14 of 31
Next
Marcin Gortat, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO , FL – DECEMBER 18: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Orlando Magic goes for a dunk during warmups prior to taking on the San Antonio Spurs on December 18, 2008 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Magic won 90-78. 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 2008 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

18. Marcin Gortat (2008-11)

Marcin Gortat probably had his best moment on the set of Magic Overtime with Dante Marchitelli and George Galante. It was here that they jokingly raised his Summer League practice jersey to the rafters, always hanging behind them during that show, and had his best on-camera appearances jokingly asking fans to renew their season tickets.

Gortat was full of that energy. At one point, he joked he would provide the cars for J.J. Redick and Ryan Anderson’s fake rap video they claimed they would make.

In a true fan-favorite fashion, Gortat started as an acquired second-round pick who toiled in Summer League for a few years. He earned his way onto the roster and spent time in the D-League. He got his shot on the main roster and made his mark.

Gortat is truly one of the best home-grown stories in Magic history. When Orlando re-signed him after the 2009 season, matching a restricted free agent’s offer sheet, he was a luxury for a team that had an iron man at center.

And none of that mattered. Gortat came into the game, blocked shots, set solid screens and rolled hard to the basket. That is what he did on the court. And he did it extremely well.

And he was a blast to watch off the court. The 2009 group was full of extremely likable guys who did their jobs on the court and had their fun off it. Just go watch the team’s dunk show they put on before games in the 2010 season. Gortat was a big part of that too, throwing down some surprisingly agile dunks in the process.

It was hard to find anything to dislike about Gortat from his play to his personality. Everyone seemed happy for him to get that opportunity to start when he got traded to the Phoenix Suns. And even today, fans seem to welcome the nostalgia of bringing him back. Gortat has suggested he would like to do that too.