Best Draft Pick In Orlando Magic History

The Orlando Magic entered the NBA in 1989 as an expansion franchise and wasted little time turning themselves into contenders thanks to two of the most fortunate lottery wins in league history. Both times, they used the first overall pick on a physically dominant center who would transform the franchise, carrying the team on their broad shoulders to the NBA Finals and becoming two of the best big men in basketball history. Unlike other entries in this series, the debate over who is the best draft pick in Orlando Magic history comes down to two players who, although they played the game differently, shared the same position and the same larger-than-life attitudes. 

Dwight Howard, selected first overall in the 2004 NBA Draft out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, could, in some opinions, be the answer to this question. Joining the NBA straight from high school at eighteen years old, Howard became the youngest player in NBA history to average a double-double in a season as a rookie. In eight seasons with the Magic, Howard earned three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards, five All-NBA First Team selections, a trip to the 2009 NBA Finals, and etched his name into numerous franchise records, including points, rebounds, blocks, minutes, and games played. 

The Orlando Magic entered the NBA in 1989 as an expansion franchise and wasted little time turning themselves into contenders thanks to two of the most fortunate lottery wins in league history. Both times, they used the first overall pick on a physically dominant center who would transform the franchise, carrying the team on their broad shoulders to the NBA Finals and becoming two of the best big men in basketball history. Unlike other entries in this series, the debate between who is the best draft pick in Orlando Magic history falls to two players who, although they played the game differently, shared the same position and the same larger-than-life attitudes. 

Dwight Howard, selected first overall in the 2004 NBA Draft out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, could, in some opinions, be the answer to this question. Joining the NBA straight from high school at eighteen years old, Howard became the youngest player in NBA history to average a double-double in a season as a rookie. In eight seasons with the Magic, Howard earned three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards, five All-NBA First Team selections, a trip to the 2009 NBA Finals, and etched his name into numerous franchise records, including points, rebounds, blocks, minutes, and games played. 

Drafted twelve years earlier, Shaquille O’Neal paved the way for Howard and made a young Magic franchise a contender in the Eastern Conference. 

A dominant high school player at Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio, Texas, O’Neal led the Cougars to a state championship in his senior year, losing just once between his final two years of high school. Heading to Louisiana State after graduation, O’Neal played three seasons for the Tigers, averaging 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks during his college career. While his numbers were impressive, O’Neal failed to lead the Tigers past the second round in each of his three seasons. 

Declaring for the 1992 NBA Draft, O’Neal was selected over seniors Alonzo Mourning and Christian Laettner, entering the league as the most physically imposing prospect since Wilt Chamberlain. With 10 of 66 balls in the lottery draft hopper, the Magic landed the most coveted big man of his generation, standing 7'1" and weighing 325 lbs, with the speed and athleticism of a player six inches shorter and fifty pounds lighter. 

In his rookie season, O’Neal averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks, earning the Rookie of the Year award and helping the Magic improve by 20 wins. Within two seasons, O’Neal teamed with point guard Penny Hardaway to become the ’90s version of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. Defeating the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Indiana Pacers, the young Magic squad, which five years earlier managed just 18 victories, found themselves facing the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals thanks in large part (pun intended) to O’Neal. 

Although O’Neal and the Magic would fail to capture a championship banner, in just four seasons, he transformed not only the franchise and the city into winners but also changed the game at the center position.  

While Howard may own the Magic’s record books, O’Neal’s dominance in a short span, his league-altering impact, and the cultural change he brought to Orlando put the franchise on the sports world map. 

Drafted twelve years earlier, Shaquille O’Neal paved the way for Howard and made a young Magic franchise a contender in the Eastern Conference. 

A dominant high school player at Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio, Texas, O’Neal led the Cougars to a state championship in his senior year, losing just once between his final two years of high school. Heading to Louisiana State after graduation, O’Neal played three seasons for the Tigers, averaging 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks during his college career. While his numbers were impressive, O’Neal failed to lead the Tigers past the second round in each of his three seasons. 

Declaring for the 1992 NBA Draft, O’Neal was selected over seniors Alonzo Mourning and Christian Laettner, entering the league as the most physically imposing prospect since Wilt Chamberlain. With 10 of 66 balls in the lottery draft hopper, the Magic landed the most coveted big man of his generation, standing 7'1" and weighing 325 lbs, with the speed and athleticism of a player six inches shorter and fifty pounds lighter. 

In his rookie season, O’Neal averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks, earning the Rookie of the Year award and helping the Magic improve by 20 wins. Within two seasons, O’Neal teamed with point guard Penny Hardaway to become the '90s version of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. Defeating the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Indiana Pacers, the young Magic squad, who five years earlier managed just 18 victories, found themselves facing the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals thanks in large part (pun intended) to O’Neal. 

Although O’Neal and the Magic would fail to capture a championship banner, in just four seasons, he transformed not only the franchise and the city into winners but also changed the game at the center position.  

While Howard may own the Magic’s record books, O’Neal’s dominance in a short span, his league-altering impact, and the cultural change he brought to Orlando put the franchise on the sports world map.