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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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13. Horace Grant (1995-99, 2002-03)

Horace Grant made the Orlando Magic a championship-contending team. Maybe that was inevitable with the way Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee Hardaway were growing. But Grant helped speed the process and made title dreams a reality much sooner.

Like with other players, the fact Grant, an accomplished champion player with an All-Star Game under his belt, chose Orlando at this early stage of the franchise’s history meant something. Orlando adding him to the team in 1995 was a major step for the franchise and for the city. They were making a major statement.

It helped that he also had a calling card that made fans fall in love with him even more.

Hulk Hogan was wearing oversized blue goggles. The Statue of Liberty replica in Downtown Orlando was dressed in a Magic uniform and goggles. The Exchange Building on Church Street (across the street from where Amway Center is now) had a pair of inflatable blue googles strewn across it during the Finals run.

The goggles Horace Grant wore were a ubiquitous symbol of the franchise and one of the fan’s favorite players.

Grant earned that too with his work rate and ethic. Everyone knew the leadership and guidance he was providing. But he was a grinder too. He played strong defense and hit big jumpers.

The image of him celebrating the Orlando Magic’s series victory over the Chicago Bulls on his teammates’ shoulders felt like everyone’s victory as much as Grant’s. He was a guy that everyone was happy to see in Orlando. And everyone was thankful for what he brought to the team to help the franchise and the city grow.