#1: Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq’s immediate impact on the NBA transformed the Magic from an expansion team to one of the hottest NBA franchises in the league. During Shaq’s first season, he won the NBA Rookie of the Year award and he was named to the NBA Eastern Conference All-Star team.
O’Neal’s impact was also felt physically. O’Neal brought the basket and backboard down during a game in New Jersey. and completely brought down the entire basketball goal frame in Phoenix.
In his rookie season (1992–93), Shaq averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award and an All-Star selection. His ability to dominate the paint and electrify crowds with thunderous dunks set the stage for a stellar career.
During the 1993–94 season, O’Neal continued to rise, averaging 29.3 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game. He finished second in the league in scoring, solidifying his status as one of the NBA’s premier players and leading the Orlando Magic to their first-ever playoff appearance. Orlando ultimately fell to the Indiana Pacers in the first round.
With a determination to make the Magic the elite team of the Eastern Conference, O’Neal and Penny Hardaway carried the Magic to a 57-25 record in the 1994-95 regular season. In the playoffs, Orlando scrapped its way past Boston, Chicago and Indiana to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Players, fans and pundits were eager to see two of the best centers square off, with O’Neal facing the all-time great, Hakeem Olajuwon. O’Neal played well in his first Finals appearance, averaging 28 points on 59.5% shooting, 12.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, but Houston’s veteran leadership and experience as defending champs proved to be too much for a comparatively young Magic squad. The Rockets ended up sweeping Orlando, and set the tone for what would be a disappointing 1995-96 campaign for the Magic.
Shaq missed 28 games during his final season in Orlando. The Magic managed to win 60 games, but ultimately lost in a sweep to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals.
O’Neal’s four seasons in Orlando featured dominance in the post, consistent scoring, and unforgettable moments. Although his departure to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 ended his time with the Magic, Shaq’s legacy as a transformative figure in Orlando remains unparalleled.
