Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Top 15 rookies in Orlando Magic history

By Harrison Brown

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 6: Orlando Magic's Shaquille O'Neal (L) looks at teammate Dennis Scott who is wearing an O'Neal jersey as they talk 06 June after their team's practice session at the Orlando Arena. Orlando will face the Houston Rockets in the NBA Championship starting 07 June in Orlando. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 6: Orlando Magic's Shaquille O'Neal (L) looks at teammate Dennis Scott who is wearing an O'Neal jersey as they talk 06 June after their team's practice session at the Orlando Arena. Orlando will face the Houston Rockets in the NBA Championship starting 07 June in Orlando. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 12
Next
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 1: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic dribbles against the Chicago Bulls on November 1, 2006 at TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida. The Magic won 109-94. 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 Doug Benc/Getty Images) /

Top 15 Orlando Magic Rookies

4. Dwight Howard

12.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 82 games, 82 starts, 32.6 MPG, 52% FG%

Dwight Howard is the only player on this list to join the Orlando Magic directly out of high school. The team had moved on from All-NBA star Tracy McGrady and were retooling for a new era of basketball in Orlando.

As a 19-year-old entering the NBA, there were concerns Orlando made the wrong selection and should have drafted the NCAA Champion and eventual Rookie of the Year, Emeka Okafor.

Howard clearly had more long-term potential and that was evident during his first year in pinstripes.

Dwight Howard averaged a double-double playing the power forward spot to form a frontcourt with Kelvin Cato. His role was simple to help him gain strength and confidence and Howard played it perfectly.

The Magic played fast with their young prospect allowing Howard to find open lanes to cut for wide-open buckets around the rim. The team finished third in pace in the league.

Their tempo did not result in many wins, as they only won 36 games. But it was a stepping stone for this new Magic core. They scored a lot of points.

The team finished eighth in field goals made, and second in the NBA in field goals made inside the arc. Coach Johnny Davis made a concerted effort to give Dwight Howard opportunities to score, and he ended up finishing third on the team in total points.

Howard averaged a double-double in his first year, which was an NBA record as the youngest player to do so. He also was the first player out of high school to start in all 82 games in his rookie year. The young Magic big man was durable.

Howard finished the season eighth in the NBA in rebounds per game and 14th in blocks per game. Howard’s rebounding was an instant impact and Orlando finished the season third in rebounds per game.

Throughout his rookie year Magic fans saw flashes of what the young man could become. He was still raw and struggled with developing a back-to-the-basket offensive repertoire, but this was expected.

Dwight Howard proved to be the franchise player after only one season in central Florida and built rapport with fellow rookie Jameer Nelson.

Home/Magic All-Time Lists