The Starting Five of NBA Greats That Stunk For The Orlando Magic

Chad Waylon Pouncy by Correspondent Written on November 06, 2009
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Many great NBA players have worn the Orlando Magic jersey.

Shaquille O'Neal got his start in Orlando and has gone on to win four NBA Championships and an MVP trophy. Shaq is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.

Tracy McGrady went from a nobody with the Toronto Raptors to the NBA's Most Improved Player with the Magic. McGrady won the scoring title twice in Orlando.

Dwight Howard currently stars for the Magic and is well on his way to becoming one of the greatest big men in history. Howard led Orlando to the NBA Finals last season and is primed for his best season yet.

Chris Webber doesn't quite make the cut because he never actually played for the Magic. He did, however, wear the Orlando hat on draft day when he was selected first overall in 1993. Within minutes of the pick, Webber was sent to Golden State for Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway.

Vince Carter was traded to Orlando in the offseason and has had quite an illustrious career himself. Let's hope he doesn't end up on a list similar to the following list years from now.

So, here are the five greatest players that were less than spectacular during their short stays in Orlando.

C Patrick Ewing

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Career:

Patrick Ewing was a Hall of Fame center who spent his glory years with the New York Knicks. Ewing is one of the most recognized figures in basketball history.

He has been named the Naismith College Player of the Year, NBA Rookie of the Year, and one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Ewing is an 11-time NBA All-Star and two time Olympic gold medalist.

Career Averages: 21.0 points, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 blocks

With Orlando Magic:

Patrick Ewing spent the 2001-02 season playing with the Magic to end his career. Ewing is currently part of the Orlando Magic organization, serving as an assistant to head coach Stan Van Gundy.

Magic Averages: 6.0 points, 0.5 assists, 0.3 steals, 4.0 rebounds, 0.7 blocks

PF Ben Wallace

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Career:

Ben Wallace gained notoriety with the Detroit Pistons, winning an NBA championship in 2003-04.

"Big Ben" is the only player, other than Hakeem Olajuwon, to be named Defensive Player of the Year four times. He has also been named to the All-Star Team four times.

Wallace is currently playing in Detroit again, after stints with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavs.

Career Averages: 6.2 points, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 10.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks

With Magic:

Ben Wallace was sent to to Orlando Magic by the Washington Bullets in 1999 along with current ESPN analyst Tim Legler for Ike Austin. Wallace originally ended up in Detroit as part of the deal that sent Grant Hill to Orlando.

Magic Averages: 4.8 points, 0.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 8.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks

SF Shawn Kemp

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Career:

Shawn Kemp made the leap to the NBA at the ripe age of 19, without playing any college ball. Kemp played the brunt of his career for the Seattle SuperSonics.

A six time All-Star gold medalist in the 1994 FIBA Championship, Kemp left Seattle for the Cleveland Cavaliers before returning to the Pacific-Northwest with the Portland Trailblazers. Kemp had a reputation for fathering eight children with six different women.

Career Averages: 14.6 points, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 8.4 rebounds, 1.2 blocks

With Magic:

Shawn Kemp played his final season in the NBA with the Orlando Magic in 2002-03. Kemp struggled with weight, cocaine, and alcohol in his later years. He tried numerous comebacks in the NBA and even attempted to play in Italy at age 39, all to no avail.

Magic Averages: 6.8 points, 0.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 5.7 rebounds, 0.4 blocks

SG Dominique Wilkins

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Career:

Dominique Wilkins spent most of his Hall of Fame career with the Atlanta Hawks.

A two time winner of the Slam Dunk Contest, Wilkins earned the nickname "Human Highlight Film". He is an eight time NBA All-Star, Euroleague and Greek Cup champion, FIBA gold medalist. Wilkins was the NBA scoring champion in 1995-96, averaging 30.3 points per game.

Career Averages: 24.8 points, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 6.7 rebounds, 0.6 blocks

With Magic:

After leaving the NBA for the European League couple of times late in his career, Wilkins landed in Orlando to play 27 games with the Magic in 1998-99.

Magic Averages: 5.0 points, 0.6 assists, 0.1 steals, 2.6 rebounds, 0.0 blocks

PG Mark Price

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Career:

Mark Price enjoyed a decent career with the Cleveland Cavaliers as one of the best shooters in the game.

A four time All-Star, Price also won the Long Distance Shootout twice. As a member of Dream Team II, Price won a gold medal in the 1994 FIBA Championships.

Career Averages: 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.6 rebounds, 0.1 blocks

With Magic:

After stints in Washington and Golden State, Mark Price found himself in Orlando for the 1997-98 season. Price played 63 games in his final season in the league.

Magic Averages: 9.5 points, 4.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 2.0 rebounds, 0.1blocks

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written on November 06, 2009 Rankings/List

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