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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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8. Dennis Scott (1991-97)

Rick Kamla of NBATV likes to tell the story of how he believes Dennis Scott changed the NBA. it is a stunning realization. But Scott almost certainly was part of the sea change in the NBA that led to the league as we know it today.

With the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Scott got the freedom to take 3-pointers liberally. That was something few coaches, especially at the college level allowed their players to do. Scott was part of the wave of players who truly turned the 3-pointer into a weapon.

In the NBA, Scott brought that same 3-point threat. He also began showing his free-wheeling personality. The way he is on TV is absolutely the way he was in the league too.

Dennis Scott was a perfect running partner for Shaquille O’Neal. The two were the perfect duo. Scott enabled O’Neal to act like a young kid and enter the NBA with a young veteran to guide him and let him act out.

And then Scott gave O’Neal the perfect spacing on the floor with his deadly 3-point shot.

But Scott was more than his association with O’Neal and his 3-point shooting. He was just a fun-natured guy. Someone who could keep everyone loose. And those 3-pointers did not hurt. It made him a unique weapon. One who was truly unleashed with those championship-level teams.

Scott was a character in a lot of ways with a unique way of playing. And everyone ate it up.