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Orlando Magic Best of the Decade: All-2000s Team

By Harrison Brown

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 16: (L-R) Jameer Nelson #14, J.J. Redick #7, Rashard Lewis #9, Vince Carter #15 and Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic huddle up against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 16, 2010 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MAY 16: (L-R) Jameer Nelson #14, J.J. Redick #7, Rashard Lewis #9, Vince Carter #15 and Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic huddle up against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 16, 2010 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Tracy McGrady, Orlando Magic
Tracy McGrady took his place as the Orlando Magic’s greatest scorer in four incredible seasons with the hometown team. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic All-2000s Team

Starting Shooting Guard: Tracy McGrady

4 seasons, 295 games, 294 starts, 28.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.5 SPG

Tracy McGrady is in the conversation for the best tenure an Orlando Magic player has ever had playing in Central Florida. McGrady is one of the best things that has happened to the Magic.

McGrady was uninterested in staying in Canada and returned to a team close to home. He quickly became the best free agent signing in Magic history.

He started in all 77 games he played in his first season in Orlando, playing a whopping 40.1 minutes per game. He averaged 26.8 points per game in his first role as the primary scorer for a roster. The NBA took notice of his level of play and he was selected to the All-Star game his first season in Orlando.

And he did not slow down from there. He went on to average 28.1 points per game in his four-year tenure, winning the scoring title twice. He also stayed relatively healthy, playing in an average of 74 games per season. In today’s NBA, missing eight games per year as an All-Star is a rare occurrence.

If you think McGrady had an excellent stat sheet during the regular season, his playoff numbers for Orlando are even more impressive.

McGrady made the playoffs in his first three seasons in Orlando. He averaged 32.3 points per game. He was 21 in his first playoff appearance for the Magic. He averaged 33.8 points per contest in a four-game loss to the second-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. He led the league in playoff scoring per game.

Unfortunately, the excitement around McGrady was hindered by the fact the Magic did not surround him with adequate talent. He played in three playoff series for Orlando and lost in the first round in all of them. The Magic signed Grant Hill alongside Tracy McGrady, but the duo played fewer than half a season together thanks to Hill’s persistent ankle injuries.

However, his individual performances are some of the best in Magic history. He is certainly on the Mount Rushmore of players who have suited up for the Orlando Magic.

McGrady is considered one of the best scorers in NBA history. He led the NBA in scoring in back-to-back seasons in 2003 and 2004. He was 23 and 24 years young and was already outscoring everyone.

McGrady would go on to be a four-time All-Star selection, two-time All-NBA First Team, two-time All-NBA Second Team, and two-time scoring champion as he averaged the most points per game in the NBA from 2002-04.

Even though his team accolades are lackluster for such a star, he will forever be cemented in NBA history as one of the best scorers to ever do it.