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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) /
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17. Scott Skiles (1990-94)

When the Orlando Magic hired Scott Skiles as their head coach before the 2016 season, fans were elated. This was a celebrated figure coming home.

Nostalgia and his relationship wtih team CEO Alex Martins probably helped him get the job in some ways, but he coached the same way he played. Coaching that way may not be as endearing as it is when you are playing.

Skiles was a no-frills player. He cared about playing the right way and taking the game seriously. He played strong defense and took more joy out of passing the ball than he did out of scoring.

The best description of his personality is his reaction to his still-standing single-game assists record. When asked about it on its 25th anniversary, he seemed to shrug off the accomplishment. After the game in news reports, he credited his teammates. You would not find any jokes about players missing shots and making him work for that 30th assist. That is not Skiles’ personality.

And that is what endeared him to fans.

His self-seriousness led to one of the great stories in Magic history.

During the 1993 season, the Magic were in Los Angeles preparing to play the Los Angeles Lakers. That is when young players like Shaquille O’Neal and Dennis Scott went out to party. Skiles would have none of it and challenged O’Neal physically. They got into a fight and it seemed to set the whole team straight.

Another great story to endear Skiles to fans. He was one of the original unheralded players that Magic fans just absolutely loved.

His popularity in town may have taken a bit of a hit with his sudden and surprising resignation as head coach after just one season. Skiles though remains the best coach the Magic have had in the last six years, leading the team to a 35-win season.

Skiles was still not impressed with that mark.