Orlando Magic Daily
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Ranking the Orlando Magic’s best performances at the All-Star Game

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards and Team LeBron shoots against Nikola Vu?evi? #9 of the Orlando Magic and Team Giannis during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team LeBron won 178-164. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards and Team LeBron shoots against Nikola Vu?evi? #9 of the Orlando Magic and Team Giannis during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team LeBron won 178-164. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic
PHOENIX – FEBRUARY 15: Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis of the Eastern Conference sit in the locker room prior to the 58th NBA All-Star Game, part of 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend, at US Airways Center on February 15, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2009 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

23. 2001 Grant Hill

Did Not Play

In the summer of 2000, the Orlando Magic made a splashy move in acquiring Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill in free agency. McGrady was the up-and-coming star that was the big risk. Hill was the sure thing. Already a five-time All-Star and extremely popular. He was voted to start in every single All-Star Game he showed up for.

That was no different in 2001. Even though Hill played in only four games — and none past Dec. 12.

Amazing what the fan vote can deliver. Hill still showed up in a suit to represent the Magic.

This only adds to the disappointment that was Hill’s tenure with the Magic. The franchise has had only four seasons with multiple All-Stars. That is a rare feat only saved for teams at the very top of the league.

The outlier among those four seasons is this 2001 season. The Magic were a .500 team with two extremely popular players in the emerging McGrady and Hill.

The Magic would get to see Hill in an All-Star uniform once. But he was an All-Star in Orlando more because of his overall popularity than anything he did on the court.

22. 2009 Jameer Nelson

Did Not Play

Probably the biggest regret in Orlando Magic All-Star history.

The Magic were rolling in the 2009 season — and would eventually reach the NBA Finals. It was a dream season as the team emerged suddenly as a title contender. Every piece coming together after a surprising Southeast Division Championship in 2008.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

What helped turn the Magic from solid team to championship team was Jameer Nelson.

He would eventually become something of a goat in the Magic’s Finals loss, but he was clearly an All-Star that season. Jameer Nelson averaged 16.7 points per game and 5.4 assists per game while shooting an astounding 58.0 percent effective field goal percentage.

There were some complaints — from his eventual replacement in Mo Williams — but they were unjustified. The Magic were a dominant team that deserved multiple representatives in the All-Star Game and a deserving first-time All-Star.

Nelson never got the chance to play. He injured his shoulder just a few weeks before the All-Star Game. Nelson still had plenty of strong games in the seasons after. But he was never an All-Star again.

It just goes to show how rare these All-Star trips are and how much they should be treasured.