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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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Tracy McGrady, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 30: Tracy McGrady #1 of the Orlando Magic prepares to dunk on a breakaway during the game against the Washington Wizards at TD Waterhouse Centre on December 30, 2002 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic won 112-95. 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 2002 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images) /

2. Tracy McGrady (2001-04)

Like Anfernee Hardaway, history has allowed fans to forget the acrimonious ending that ended Tracy McGrady’s tenure in Orlando. In a lot of ways, Orlando Magic fans have forgiven McGrady and understand exactly why he left to begin with. The team simply could not put a good team around him.

That, of course, highlighted how good McGrady was. This was the one free agent the Magic plucked from obscurity and saw grow into a superstar player. All in his hometown at that — he is from nearby Auburndale.

McGrady is the best scorer in team history. For many of the first Magic generation, if they did not grow up watching the Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee Hardaway teams, they grew up watching Tracy McGrady. He defined a lot of basketball excellence.

At least, individual excellence.

McGrady was that. He was individually brilliant in so many ways. The greatest scorer in Magic history by far. And that always attracts eyeballs.

Like so many others, you forget just how smooth and easy scoring was for him. There was no one else who could put the ball in the basket like him.

Even in a 21-61 season, McGrady was worth the price of admission. That is the power McGrady had. And that is what made him so easy to fall in love with as a player.

He had national appeal and popularity too. The T-Mac IIs are one of the great shoes in NBA history.

Nostalgia has made the heart grow fonder. And probably the recognition that the franchise never put him in a position to succeed. Everyone is in McGrady’s corner now.

And everyone was excited to have him back as a marketing tool and honorary adviser for the team last year. The more McGrady, the better.