The Orlando Magic roster in 2008 was filled with talented basketball players. Led by head coach Stan Van Gundy, the team had a mix of experienced veterans and promising young players. The starting lineup featured Dwight Howard, a dominant center who was known for his incredible athleticism and shot-blocking ability. Howard was a force to be reckoned with in the paint and was a key player for the Magic's success that season. Jameer Nelson, a skilled point guard, was another vital player for the team. Nelson had good court vision and was adept at setting up his teammates for scoring opportunities.
ESPN
Superman won a spectacular dunk contest and led the league in slams, but his disappointing Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Pistons brought him and his Magic men down to earth.
Expert Picks| ANALYST | PREDICTION |
| J.A. Adande ESPN.com | SOUTHEAST: 1 | EAST: 4 They're really going to miss Keyon Dooling (did you ever think you'd read that sentence?). Dwight Howard and the frontcourt are nice, but man, that guard rotation. |
| Jon Barry ESPN.com | SOUTHEAST: 1 | EAST: 4 Time for Howard to take a major step. Everybody knows his talent, but it's time to be a dominant force offensively. If he becomes a better post-up player, he'll dominate on both ends of the floor. |
| Chris Broussard ESPN Mag | SOUTHEAST: 1 | EAST: 4 The key for the Magic will be backcourt improvement. Their frontline is perhaps the best in the East offensively, but they need Jameer Nelson and/or Mickael Pietrus to emerge as more than default starters who are better suited for coming off the bench. |
| Ric Bucher ESPN Mag | SOUTHEAST: 1 | EAST: 4 Stan Van Gundy will make them formidable in the regular season because that's what Stan does, but this team doesn't scare me in the least bit when it comes to the postseason. But then again, this is not a postseason survey. |
| Chad Ford ESPN.com | SOUTHEAST: 1 | EAST: 4 I'm not in love with this team, but they are the Southeast's best. Dwight Howard is dominant and Rashard Lewis is a great sidekick, but their lack of proven talent at the guard positions and their lack of depth in the frontcourt scares me. |
| Jemele Hill ESPN.com | SOUTHEAST: 1 | EAST: 4 Coming off a career year, Dwight Howard really needs to be Superman if the Magic hope to be more than a run-of-the-mill playoff team. It doesn't help that the roster did not improve significantly enough to make them a contender to win the East. |
| John Hollinger ESPN.com | SOUTHEAST: 1 | EAST: 4 The three stars are unlikely to be iron men again (they played 245 of 246 games last season), meaning Orlando will rely more on a bench that has less. Adding stopper Pietrus was risky, but he's the wild card. Regardless, Orlando might win the SouthLeast by default. |
| Jalen Rose ESPN.com | SOUTHEAST: 1 | EAST: 4 Dwight Howard should lead the league in rebounds and blocks (the next few years!). The 3-point shooting of Turkoglu and Lewis will be there, and having Battie will help a lot. Both backcourt spots will have to pull their weight. |
| Chris Sheridan ESPN.com | SOUTHEAST: 1 | EAST: 4 Their weakness is the backcourt -- even with the free-agent addition of Mickael Pietrus. The depth is improved with Anthony Johnson brought in at backup point and Tony Battie back from injury, and they could sneak into the No. 2 spot. |
| Marc Stein ESPN.com | SOUTHEAST: 1 | EAST: 4 The team is one year older, but does that automatically make Orlando better? Impressed as we are by what Stan Van Gundy did in his first year in the Magic Kingdom, it's no given after a pretty quiet summer. |
| TOTAL SOUTHEAST: 1.0 | Standings EAST: 4.0 | Standings |
Nelson had good court vision and was adept at setting up his teammates for scoring opportunities. His ability to control the game and make smart decisions on the court was an asset to the team. Hedo Turkoglu was the team's small forward and was known for his versatility and skill in scoring.
Team Strength: Forward
Yes, Dwight Howard is a beast, but a big part of the Magic's success is the fact that they have surrounded him with two 6-10 forwards who can score from anywhere on the floor. Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis are a matchup nightmare for opponents who have to choose whether to sacrifice inches or get caught with a post player trying to defend the 3-point line; in turn, the threat of their outside shooting gave Howard plenty of space to operate in the paint.
Turkoglu was the big surprise last season, as his ability to operate as a point forward forced opponents into some unusual defensive arrangements against the pick-and-roll. The increased responsibility also snapped him out of the habit of disappearing for five minutes and then forcing a bad shot when he finally got the ball.
As for Lewis, his ability to defend the power forward spot was a major reason Orlando's defensive numbers were far better than expected. With Tony Battie missing all of last season with a torn rotator cuff, Orlando had to count on Lewis to defend the interior without fouling -- something he rarely did in Seattle.
At the offensive end, Lewis' reward was a series of tasty matchups against power forwards who were reluctant to chase him out to the 3-point line. Many opponents capitulated and just played small against Orlando to match up better defensively, bailing Lewis out of the defensive requirement of his job.
Lineup Breakdown| STARTERS | RESERVES |
| Jameer Nelson | Point Guard 6-0 | 190 | Age: 26 Hollinger profile | Anthony Johnson | Guard 6-3 | 195 | Age: 34 Hollinger profile |
| Mickael Pietrus | Shooting Guard 6-6 | 215 | Age: 26 Hollinger profile | J.J. Redick | Guard 6-4 | 190 | Age: 24 Hollinger profile |
| Hedo Turkoglu | Small Forward 6-10 | 220 | Age: 29 Hollinger profile | Keith Bogans | Guard 6-5 | 215 | Age: 28 Hollinger profile |
| Rashard Lewis | Power Forward 6-10 | 230 | Age: 29 Hollinger profile | Tony Battie | Forward 6-11 | 240 | Age: 32 Hollinger profile |
| Dwight Howard | Center 6-11 | 265 | Age: 22 Hollinger profile | Adonal Foyle | Center 6-10 | 270 | Age: 33 Hollinger profile |
The Best Orlando Magic Small Forwards of All Time
Big fan of Orlando basketball? Then check out this list of Orlando Magic small forwards. It includes almost every small forward from throughout Orlando Magic history, including current small forwards and past ones. Featuring some of the greatest NBA small forwards of all time, the best Magic SFs include Hedo Turkoglu, Dennis Scott, Grant Hill, and Tobias Harris.
In the 2021-22 NBA season, the current Orlando Magic starting SFs and backup SFs are Franz Wagner, Terrence Ross, and Michael Mulder.
Who are the best small forwards in Orlando Magic history? Vote below and help decide the greatest Orlando Magic small forward of all time!
Most divisive: Corey Maggette Ranked by All voters rerankers (2) region men women rank it your wayTurkoglu was an excellent shooter and a reliable scorer, often hitting clutch shots in crucial moments of the game. Rashard Lewis, a power forward, provided a great scoring option for the Magic. Lewis was a skilled shooter and had the ability to stretch the defense with his three-point shooting. His scoring ability complemented Howard's dominance inside the paint. Courtney Lee, a rookie at the time, was the starting shooting guard. Lee was a tenacious defender and provided energy on both ends of the court. He was also a reliable three-point shooter and made important contributions to the team's success. Off the bench, the Magic had players like Mickael Pietrus, a skilled wing defender who provided valuable energy and scoring ability. Marcin Gortat, a backup center, was known for his strong defensive presence and shot-blocking ability, giving Howard valuable rest when needed. Overall, the 2008 Orlando Magic roster was a well-balanced team with key players in every position. They had a successful season and made it to the NBA Finals, showcasing the talent and depth of their roster..
Reviews for "Revisiting the Orlando Magic's Playoff Run in 2008: What Went Right?"
1. John - 2 stars - The Orlando Magic roster in 2008 was a major disappointment. Despite high expectations, the team failed to live up to its potential. The lack of chemistry and inefficient gameplay were glaring issues throughout the season. Additionally, some key players did not perform as expected, which further hindered the team's success. Overall, the 2008 Orlando Magic roster was a letdown and a missed opportunity for a championship run.
2. Sarah - 1 star - The Orlando Magic roster in 2008 was a complete disaster. There was a clear lack of talent and cohesion among the players, resulting in a lackluster performance on the court. The team seemed to lack a clear strategy and struggled to find any consistency throughout the season. It was frustrating to watch the team make poor decisions and fail to execute basic plays. Overall, the 2008 Orlando Magic roster was a forgettable group of underachievers.
3. Michael - 2 stars - The Orlando Magic roster in 2008 was far from impressive. Despite having some star players, the team seemed disjointed and struggled to find their rhythm. The lack of a strong leadership presence was evident, as the players often seemed lost on the court. The coaching staff also failed to make the necessary adjustments to maximize the team's potential. Overall, it was a disappointing season for the Orlando Magic, and the roster was a major factor in their lack of success.
4. Jennifer - 1 star - The 2008 Orlando Magic roster was a complete letdown. The team was highly hyped, but they consistently underperformed. The players lacked the necessary drive and determination to compete at a high level. Additionally, the roster composition was questionable, with a lack of depth and reliance on a few key players. The season was filled with frustrating losses and a lack of direction. Overall, the 2008 Orlando Magic roster was a disappointment and failed to live up to expectations.
5. David - 2 stars - The Orlando Magic roster in 2008 was a missed opportunity. Despite having talented players, the team failed to capitalize on their potential. There was a lack of chemistry and cohesion, resulting in inconsistent performances. The coaching staff also failed to make the necessary adjustments to create a winning strategy. Overall, it was a disappointing season for the Orlando Magic, and the roster was a major factor in their lack of success.