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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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Grant Hill, Ray Allen, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 23: Ray Allen #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks talks with Grant Hill #33 of the Orlando Magic during the NBA game at TD Waterhouse Centre on December 23, 2002 in Orlando, Florida. The Bucks won 108-103. 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 2002 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images) /

14. Grant Hill (2001-07)

The inclusion of Grant Hill on this list, and especially this high, is probably going to feel odd. I must admit that I did not include him on my ballot at all. And I know there is a large pocket of Orlando Magic fans who feel Hill did the Magic wrong and still hate him (they are wrong, but they are out there).

Hill’s case for inclusion on this list is part of why I left the definition of “popular” so intentionally vague.

Hill, in his playing days, was incredibly popular. There is no getting around it.

Injuries were the story of his time in Orlando. Yet, he made two All-Star games. One came in a season he played just four games (his first year in Orlando in 2001). The other came in 2005, the first year he played more than 30 games (he finished with 67) and a year removed from missing the entire season.

Hill had a large national fan base who just loved the guy. And when the Magic signed him he was the prize, not Tracy McGrady. Hill was the better player.

There will be plenty of time to discuss Hill’s complicated legacy with the Magic when he gets inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in September.

Hill’s time in Orlando was certainly an empty promise. And, again, there are at least a faction fo Magic fans who feel disappointed he did not stay with the team after his big contract expired on a discount. They forget the Magic were ready to part ways with him too and had little interest in bringing him back.

But, he had the national popularity that made him an impact player. And someone fans cared about… even when he was not playing.