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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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Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 19: Hedo Turkoglu #15 of the Orlando Magic controls the ball against the Indiana Pacers during a pre-season game on October 19, 2012 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

7. Hedo Turkoglu (2005-09, 2011-13)

There really is no way Hedo Turkoglu should work as a basketball player. A 6-foot-10, unathletic forward who wants to play as a point guard. That is not a formula that should work. Even watching Turkoglu play, you were sometimes curious how the whole thing worked.

Yet, Turkoglu made it work. And in the 2009 Playoffs, he made himself a key part of Magic history and someone that only engenders warm feelings.

Turkoglu’s game-winner against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 saved the season and was the stuff of legend. There was no doubt he was pulling up for three in that moment.

He always relished in the big shot. And he had plenty of game winners — a regular season shot over the Boston Celtics in the 2008 season that put everyone on notice about the Magic’s rise, a go-ahead shot in Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals and even a block on Kobe Bryant to set up the Courtney Lee layup in Game 2 of the 2009 Finals.

But Turkoglu’s greatness was a bit more subtle than that. He was a crafty player who found gaps. He was not going to beat many players with his speed or quickness. But he knew how to use his size to get around players and get to the basket. From there he understood arcs and angles to get his shot off.

Turkoglu was a master of the pick and roll and a perfect pairing for Dwight Howard at center and Jameer Nelson at point guard. He took a lot of the ball-handling responsibility and the playmaking responsibility. Especially late in games.

Letting Turkoglu walk after the 2009 season hurt. It is still something Magic fans debate. And absence only made the heart grow fonder. Turkoglu was someone everybody missed.

And pizza in the locker room is always a good idea.