We just completed our ranking of the most popular players in Magic history. Who would you take as the top guy?
Spencer R. Henderson (@SpencerRHenders): I have to go with Anfernee Hardaway, and just based on the fact he played against Michael Jordan while he was torching the league. Anyone who could create a buzz like Anfernee Hardaway did during the Michael Jordan era in Magic Blue gets all my respect. Anfernee Hardaway was the key to the Magic winning its first Eastern Conference championship because he was the quarterback of arguably the best offense in the NBA. He had one of if not the hottest nicknames in the league. And his jersey number equaled how much a penny is worth. And the Little Penny commercials were the type to make a fan anticipate what they would do next with the doll. Hands down it is Penny Hardaway.
Philip Rossman-Reich (@philiprr_omd): I voted for Nick Anderson as my top guy. Ever since Dwight Howard overtook Nick Anderson for almost every major all-time statistical category (or just points and games played), I have been thinking of how the Magic should keep Anderson’s memory alive and honor him. I was not for retiring his jersey before… now I kind of think I am. And this sentiment is why I had Anderson as my most popular player in Magic history. To me, he represents everything the Magic have ever wanted in a player. He was great on the court — both as a starring player and then as a role player. But more importantly, he wanted to be in Orlando. And wanted to come back. There will always be a place for Nick Anderson with this organization. And his impact was great on the court as much as it has been since he retired. There is no better representative for the team.
Jean Racine (@realjeanracine): The most popular player in Magic history is Tracy McGrady. He is a hometown hero, and he is the only superstar who is still unanimously beloved in Orlando. Unlike Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee Hardaway, Tracy McGrady did not burn any bridges leaving Orlando. The words of Shaquille O’Neal saying, “In Orlando, I was a big fish in a small, dried up pond,” still resonate with some fans today. T-Mac had a just reason to leave. He was tired of losing and the lack of help and did not want to wait for Dwight Howard to develop. Fans cannot blame him, he went on to join forces with one of the best big men in the league at the time in Yao Ming. Both the new and old generation have witnessed T-Mac dominate in a Magic uniform. We cannot say the same with Shaq or Penny. T-Mac is the most beloved Magic player of all time.