Orlando Magic 35th Anniversary Season: The top 35 players in Orlando Magic history
Orlando Magic 35th Anniversary: 35 best players in Magic history
15. Bo Outlaw (1998-2002, 2006-08)
By Philip Rossman-Reich
Whatever Bo Outlaw lacks in statistical accolades he made up for in pure hustle and determination. That is what helped define his tenure with the Orlando Magic and made him the face of the Heart & Hustle team alongside Darrell Armstrong.
Outlaw was pure heart. That is the only way to describe his game. And he played every game with a joy that simply became infectious every time he was on the floor.
His first trade to the Phoenix Suns felt like a gut punch for that reason. And losing the team’s heart and soul was a big reason why the Tracy McGrady teams never really took off. Outlaw just did the little things that helped teams win. Every team needs a Bo Outlaw.
14. Scott Skiles (1990-94)
By Jacob Warfle
Scott Skiles’ best case for being high on any list is the simple fact that his NBA record of assists in a single game still stands dating all the way back to Dec. 1990.
In a high-scoring win over the Denver Nuggets, Skiles put up the legendary stat line of 22 points, six rebounds and 30 assists. Many have come close, recently Russell Westbrook in 2021. But none have topped it.
Skiles’ importance to the Orlando Magic franchise can mostly be explained through his role as a facilitator and leader on the original Magic teams.
Taken by the Magic in the 1989 expansion draft, Skiles immediately became a fan favorite, dishing the ball all over the court. He played for the franchise for its first five seasons, overlapping for two years with Shaquille O’Neal, and leaving just before any real playoff success.
His impact cannot be understated as he helped lay the groundwork for what would be the first contender in Orlando.
He still holds franchise records in assists per game, assists in a season, free throw percentage and the big one – assists in a single game.
13. Grant Hill (2001-07)
By Philip Rossman-Reich
Grant Hill’s tenure with the Orlando Magic will always be one filled with disappointment. There is no avoiding it. In his seven years with the team, he struggled to stay on the court, playing more than 50 games just twice in seven years and only 43 games in his first four seasons in Orlando — when Tracy McGrady was on the team.
It clearly kept the Magic from taking any steps as a franchise as the albatross of his max contract hung on a team unwilling to dip into the luxury tax — or make good draft picks.
Hill though was solid when he was on the floor. He averaged 16.4 points per game on a tidy 50.0 percent shooting. He was a key factor in the team returning to the playoffs in his final year in 2007 and a sports hernia injury likely kept the team from reaching it sooner.
Hill’s time in Orlando was a disappointment. But he still was a gifted player who had something to give when he could get on the floor.
12. Dennis Scott (1991-97)
By Kyle Langan
“Threeeee Deeeee!”
The legendary call of Paul Porter rings throughout the Orlando Arena for beloved Orlando Magic sharpshooter, Dennis Scott. And it did 981 times.
That number, 981, still stands as the Magic record for most 3-point makes in a Magic uniform. It is a mark that is not going anywhere any time soon.
The 1987 High School National Player of the Year, the Magic drafted Dennis Scott with the fourth overall pick after he led the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to a Final Four appearance.
Scott played 7 years with the Magic finishing in the team’s top 10 all-time in games played, minutes played, field goals, steals and, of course, 3-point field goals.
All those accolades paired with an undeniable media personality and it is no wonder we voted Dennis Scott as a top-15 player all-time Orlando Magic.
Related Story. The Top 20 shooters in Orlando Magic history. light
11. Rashard Lewis (2008-11)
By Jacob Warfle
On talent alone, Rashard Lewis belongs in the same conversation as the greats at the top of this list. But his time in Orlando (3.5 years) was just too short to compete with the better names on this list.
Looking at many of the all-time Orlando Magic records, you will not see Lewis’ name listed in many categories. He is not toward the top for most points scored in a Magic uniform. He does not find himself holding any of the single-game records either. Lewis’ impact on the Magic is difficult to define just by numbers.
Lewis was a trendsetter. And, with the help of Stan Van Gundy and an offense built around spacing, one of the first real stretch power forwards in the modern NBA.
He sacrificed individual accolades to slot in on the first “death” lineup, flanking Hedo Turkoglu and Dwight Howard. He was as important as any other member of the 2009 Finals team, averaging 19.0 points per game in the playoffs (second to only Howard). Above all, he was a matchup nightmare and truly ahead of his time.
The 2009 run would not have happened without him.