BEHIND THE MAGIC SERIES PART 3: Dennis Scott Looks Back on His Orlando Magic Career, Shaq’s Departure and the State of Magic Basketball

Written by Craig Larson Jr.

It’s only fitting that our third installment features a conversation with a man who built his NBA career from beyond the 3-point arc.

He’s Dennis Scott, affectionately known as “3-D.” The Magic selected Scott with the No. 4 overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft, and five years later he helped lead Orlando to its first NBA Finals appearance.

Larson Jr. : I want to start with 1990. Did the run to the Final Four that spring validate that you were ready to play at the NBA level?

Scott: The style of play gave me confirmation, as well as being around other great players. Kenny Anderson was the National High School Player of the Year, and so was I. Brian Oliver and Malcolm Mackey were McDonald’s All-Americans. So, when we all reached that grand stage, we proved that we were ready. I had no doubts.

Larson Jr. : You get drafted by Orlando a few months later and make an immediate impact. The Magic won 13 more games during your rookie season.

Scott: I’m so glad you brought this up. I love this question. Whenever people talk about historic turnarounds and improvements, my name never gets mentioned. We were a franchise that went from 18 wins to 31. They always focus on someone like David Robinson or another big man and what they did after joining their team. I never get credit for my rookie season and what I was able to do. We had mixed talent on that roster because those were still the days of the expansion draft.

Larson Jr. : That season, you were named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. How special was that?

Scott: It was. That was a great time for me. I had gone to the Final Four, I was the No. 4 pick, and I went to a team that was getting better. I felt great. I played in all 82 games, and things were going well on the marketing front, too.

Larson Jr. : Do you ever think about what might have happened if Shaquille O’Neal had stayed in Orlando? How many championships do you think that team could have won?

Scott: I thought we were going to go on a major run. I couldn’t believe they’d mismanage Shaq. I never thought that would happen. I was banking on us staying together. Penny was getting even better. Nick and Horace were solid. I thought we had a future together that would include consistent winning, but it didn’t turn out that way.

Larson Jr. : What do you think of the current Magic?

Scott: I think they’re all great kids. That’s a perfect box to check in today’s professional sports. I just wonder if all of the talent fits together. They also have a new voice coming in with Sean Sweeney, and he’s been around younger players at previous stops, so he knows how to communicate with young stars. That’s a good hire. But to me, when you watch the best teams, if their stars are out or they go to the bench, they still maintain their style of play and remain effective. When Paolo leaves the floor and Franz is hurt, they have no identity. They have to figure that part out.

Larson Jr. : You made a living from the 3-point line. Who’s the best shooter in today’s game?

Scott: You always start with “Boy Wonder” Steph Curry. He’s the obvious one. But I’ll tell you, Kon Knueppel made a lasting impression on me. He’s gained my trust. When he was at Duke, I didn’t see that part of his game because they didn’t play that style. That’s a prime example of why you can’t fully judge a kid until you see him play in the wide-open style of the NBA. He’s a dog, and he shattered all the records for a rookie. Those are the type of kids I love. Can you imagine if he had played that way during his freshman year at Duke? Oh, my goodness.

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Craig Larson Jr.

 Craig Larson Jr. is a freelance contributor for 1010XL. Craig has been covering professional and collegiate sports for media outlets since 1990. He’s attended 17 Super Bowls, 11 Final Fours, 5 World Series, along with multiple Kentucky Derbies, Championship Fights and All-Star Games.