Orlando Magic Top 30: The Most Under-Appreciated Player in Orlando Magic History
10. Mickael Pietrus (2009-11)
There were so many memorable players and moments from that 2009 Finals run, that it is easy to let a few players slip through the cracks.
Jameer Nelson’s All-Star season quickly disappeared from view with his injury as the playoff run took over the full-season narrative. Courtney Lee gets remembered for what could have been after the Magic traded him in the offseason.
Mickael Pietrus is probably long forgotten among that group. Even though he remains a fairly popular player more for his antics and personality off the court, Mickael Pietrus was a pretty good player.
In the 2009 season, Pietrus averaged 9.4 points per game and shot 35.9 percent from beyond the arc. He upped those averages in the playoffs to 10.5 points and 38.5 percent on 3-pointers. Pietrus had a penchant for stepping up in big games. He loved the spotlight and showed up it seemed for all of the big games.
In the Magic’s only Finals win in franchise history, Pietrus scored 15 points on 4-for-8 shooting including a big basket late to secure the win. We ignore the probable traveling.
Pietrus. He played a big part in the 2008-09 season, as a weapon from the bench. Came up big in the playoffs, especially in Game 3 of the Finals, which sadly is the franchise's only Finals game victory. I feel most Magic fans have forgotten about him.
— GunneriX (@GunneritoZ) August 23, 2019
None seemed bigger than the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals. He got the primary defensive role on LeBron James that series. He made it as tough as he could for James who still put up an incredible series.
It was Pietrus’ personality that endeared him to fans. But it was his play that made him important in Magic history. And that kind of gets lost in the shuffle a bit.