Orlando Magic Daily
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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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Jeff Turner, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat
ORLANDO, FL – 1993: Jeff Turner #31 of the Orlando Magic dribbles against the Miami Heatduring a game played circa 1993 at the Orlando Arena 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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.