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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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Darrell Armstrong, Orlando Magic
19 Jan 2002: Darrell Armstrong #10 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a slam dunk against the Memphis Grizzlies during the NBA Game at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis,Tennessee. 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 and Credit: Copyright 2002 NBAE:Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images /

9. Darrell Armstrong (1995-2003)

There are a few ways to ensure a player is popular. Checking off multiple of these boxes will get you rated pretty highly in the memories of most fans. Darrell Armstrong undoubtedly checks off almost every single one of these.

First, be an underdog. Armstrong was playing in the CBA and Greece and far-flung countries when the Magic plucked him from obscurity and added him to their Finals team, even though he played sparingly. He was a famous cheerleader on the road to the Finals wearing an oversized beige suit. The fanbase began to fall in love.

Second, be a pest defensively. The easiest way to get playing time is to be strong defensively. If you play like that, fans are likely to fall in love just as much as the coaches. In the 1997 season, when Armstrong got his first real playing time, he was the best defender the team had for Tim Hardaway in the 1997 Playoff series against the Miami Heat.

Third, keep growing and give back to the community. Armstrong certainly did that. He won Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player in 1999 and continued to be a great leader and scoring option for the team throughout the Tracy McGrady years. He kept up the energy and never settled.

Armstrong’s floor burns were legendary, including getting a big one to secure a steal in an important juncture against the Chicago Bulls. He seemed pretty proud of that scar after the game ended. He also had a game-winning steal and layup in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers. There were countless of those moments.

Armstrong embodied the beloved “Heart and Hustle” team. It is rare for a non-All Star to define an entire season and maybe even an era of Magic basketball.

Why is Armstrong this low then? Part of it might be recency bias. Younger fans who do their basic research on the Magic probably skip up over the years Armstrong was at his peak or only watch highlights of the Tracy McGrady era. When Armstrong was at his peak is not an interesting time in Magic history.

Longtime fans have a right to complain. Armstrong is one of the most popular players in Magic history. Probably far more than given credit in this list.