Orlando Magic Daily
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5 worst starters of the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard era

By Harrison Brown

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 13: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic walks off the court during the game against the Miami Heat at Amway Center on March 13, 2012 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 13: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic walks off the court during the game against the Miami Heat at Amway Center on March 13, 2012 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic had a championship-contending roster during the Dwight Howard era, peaking with playoff appearances from 2007-12 with an NBA Finals appearance in 2009 and an Eastern Conference Finals run in 2010. The core of Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard formed a dynamic roster of playmaking, shooting and defense.

The front office, specifically former general manager Otis Smith, had a difficult time finding the fifth starter to complete the group. Not to mention retooling on the fly after the team starting breaking apart and after the team needed to keep up with the LeBron James-led Miami Heat.

This will be a reoccurring theme within the article where the Magic took one-year fliers on several players who simply could not complement the starting unit enough to push them over the hump for Orlando to bring home their first title.

The Dwight Howard era was one of the most successful times in Orlando Magic history. Still the team fell short as it built its roster around its center and sought a way to build the best lineup.

Even after the Magic made their Finals run and traded to bring in Vince Carter, they could not gel as a unit. They lost franchise cornerstone Hedo Turkoglu to the Toronto Raptors via free agency only to bring him back in two years later to much less effect than the first time.

Smith was looking for another guard or small forward who could focus on perimeter defense while also being able to stretch the floor. That proved difficult to find.

If Orlando had considered bringing in a starting-caliber talent to complete the first five, the team’s history and Dwight Howard’s final years with the Magic could have been much different.