With his first real shot at a full-time job, Ben flourished, starting all 81 games for rookie coach Doc Rivers. At only 24 minutes a night, he led the team in rebounding and finished second in blocked shots—despite being slowed by bone spurs that required him to wear a walking cast between contests. The Magic were the league’s surprise team thanks to Ben, Chucky, and other overachievers like Darrell Armstrong.

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