Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Rounding out the offseason

By Philip Rossman-Reich

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Devonte Graham #4 of the Charlotte Hornets, Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic and Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks pose for a photo during the 2018 NBA Rookie Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Devonte Graham #4 of the Charlotte Hornets, Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic and Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks pose for a photo during the 2018 NBA Rookie Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Grant Hill, Ray Allen, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 23: Ray Allen #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks talks with Grant Hill #33 of the Orlando Magic during the NBA game at TD Waterhouse Centre on December 23, 2002 in Orlando, Florida. The Bucks won 108-103. 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) /

Grant Hill is set to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame next week. Should Magic fans rejoice and celebrate his entry or be indifferent? What is Hill’s ultimate legacy?

Henderson: I think Orlando Magic fans should celebrate the fact that Grant Hill planned on signing with the Magic but ultimately was shipped off in a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons. This showed the league the Magic could attract marquee superstar talent to Central Florida. The organization gets an A for effort in making this bold move, acquiring one of the best wing players in the NBA to put alongside Tracy McGrady, thus making the Magic an instant title contender.

This is interesting because Hill was largely a disappointment for a Magic team that would have contended for a title if he was healthy. He only played four games in his first season and 14 games in his second season with the Magic. I believe his ultimate legacy and what Grant Hill will be forever remembered by is his bad ankles that cost the Magic an opportunity to contend at the highest level.

Rossman-Reich: The one thing I do not think Orlando Magic fans should do is be upset Grant Hill is in the Hall of Fame. His seven years in Orlando were a massive disappointment because of the injuries he suffered. They were never his fault.

Still, Magic fans have a right to be a bit miffed. He was at one point one of the best players in the NBA. Orlando made the right move pursuing him and signing him in free agency. It just did not work out.

I think a lot of the anger among fans for Hill and his time in Orlando has died down. And now there is a greater appreciation of his larger body of work. Maybe Magic fans should not be celebrating — those seven years in Orlando were a pretty big hole in his credentials — but they certainly should not be upset. Hill was one of the most supremely talented players ever to play in the league. Unfortunately, we never got to see the heights his career could have gone.

Racine: Magic fans should be rejoicing. Grant Hill spent six seasons as a member of the Magic and made an All-Star team in 2001 and 2005. Hill reinvented himself after his injuries. He was a below the rim player with a killer mid-range game and rarely shot 3-pointers. He spent five seasons with the Phoenix Suns as a 10-plus points per game player and played a career-high 82 games in 2009. Hill’s good years outweigh the injury-plagued years and the so-so years to finish out his career.