NBA: All-Time Starting 5 of the Orlando Magic

Center – Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O'Neal

If Shaq played more than four seasons with the Orlando Magic, he would have been the greatest player in team history. Shaq was a beast in Orlando as he averaged 27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.8 blocks in his four years in Orlando. He was an All-Star in his four seasons with the Magic while also winning the Rookie of the Year in 1993.

Shaq helped the Magic made the playoffs three times including an NBA Finals appearance in 1994. However, Shaq and the Magic got dominated by the Houston Rockets and Hakeem Olajuwon in four games. The sweep motivated Shaq but it also meant that he left Orlando to join the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers, he won three straight NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.

Honorable Mention: Center – Horace Grant

Yes, Horace Grant is not a center but we have to put him in here. Grant joined the Magic after winning three championships with the Chicago Bulls. Grant served as a veteran presence in the young Magic team. He ranks fifth in the franchise’s all-time rebounds list, as well as eighth in steals and fourth in blocks.