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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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26. Pat Garrity (2000-08)

For someone who played nine seasons with the Orlando Magic, Pat Garrity does not find him at the top of many lists in Magic history. He was not a great scorer. Nor a good rebounder.

Yet, he stuck around as one of the original stretch-4s in the league and someone who always had a big shot at a big moment.

Even with his limitations, he was a solid player who was a good guy in the community and played hard every time. And created plenty of big moments and memories during the Tracy McGrady years. He was a popular role player who did his job effectively at a time when so few people outside of McGrady did.

He had plenty of big shots — game-winners against the Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers come to mind. He could get hot from beyond the arc and put together some strong scoring games — like his 29-point outburst against the New York Knicks in 2002.

Garrity seemed like an everyman. Someone who did not look like he belonged in the league, but found positive ways to contribute. He stuck around because of his professionalism and outside shooting ability.

When he tore his ACL in 2006 and then again in 2007, it was legitimately sad. His production had already fallen off at that point. But he was not someone who deserved to go out the way he did.

Garrity was self-deprecating enough to be shocked when the Magic asked to honor him during the team’s 25th anniversary season. But he deserved the appreciation the fans gave him.