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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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Anfernee Hardaway, Orlando Magic, Mario Elie, Houston Rockets
HOUSTON – JUNE 14: Anfernee Hardaway #1 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Mario Elie #17 of the Houston Rockets in Game Four of the 1995 NBA Finals played June 14, 1995 at the Summit in Houston, Texas. The Rockets won 113-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges 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 1995 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Anfernee Hardaway (1994-99)

Few players capture a fan’s imagination quite like Anfernee Hardaway did. There were few players who had the athleticism, size and power that Hardaway had. There were few players who had the multi-positionality that Hardaway had. Much less at the point guard position.

He was such a unique player. A mix of Michael Jordan’s grace with Magic Johnson‘s size and passing ability. There was nothing he could not do.

That is what made Hardaway such a special and unique player. That is why he captures everyone’s imagination. And that is ultimately part of the tragedy of his career.

Even today watching old highlights of Hardaway is awe inspiring. Here was a young player with all the talent in the world to be as good as he wanted to be shining so bright immediately.

Shaquille O’Neal was great. Anfernee Hardaway made him better. The Magic made the Playoffs his rookie year and the NBA Finals his second year. This was an instant ready-made All-Star. And Magic fans absolutely ate it up.

Hardaway quickly became as marketable as his teammate — perhaps setting off an internal shoe war. No ad campaign was greater than Lil’ Penny and the Nike shoes he hawked for the usually quiet and reserved Hardaway.

That ad campaign transcended sports.

Hardaway only engenders good feelings — even though he had his own acrimonious, injury-filled exit.

That quickly dropped to the past. Fans forgave Hardaway extremely quickly and went to nostalgia with him and his career. That is what happens to the legends. Bygones become bygones at a certain point.

Hardaway always captured the imagination. His popularity when O’Neal was in town probably led to internal jealousy that ultimately led to O’Neal leaving the team. Hardaway had a heavy burden left when O’Neal left. His body broke down and he never quite lived up to them.

But history remembers him extremely fondly. History remembers him as a hero and as the great hope he always was. Magic fans remember him at his peak as the most unique player that turned the franchise into a superstar team.