23. Jeff Turner (1990-96)
A sure way to gain popularity is to choose the city as the place you want to be.
In the 1990 expansion season, Jeff Turner chose to come to Orlando. He was the team’s original free agent. The first one who was not selected in the expansion draft or the NBA Draft. He was the one who wanted to be in Orlando.
Turner has put down roots in the City Beautiful since then. Even though his role going up and down — he played in only 18.4 minutes per game that first year and rarely averaged more than 7.0 points per game in a Magic uniform. It is hard to say what Turner’s most translatable NBA skill is.
But he remained a constant in Orlando.
Shortly after retiring in 1996, Turner took a job as the radio analyst for the Magic. He became a high school basketball coach, winning a state championship with Lake Highland Prep. And then he eventually became the team’s color analyst on TV.
Turner has been a constant with the Magic for its entire 30-year history. Even with his meager 6.5 points per game in seven seasons with the Magic. He is almost as much Mr. Magic as Nick Anderson with how many roles he has held in the organization over time.
When we did our fan voting and Turner got beat out by more nationally recognized names, several longtime fans noted it was a shame Turner did not get more love.
Turner might be the perfect example of a player who did not do a whole lot on the court but still made an impact in the minds of Magic fans.