Orlando Magic Daily
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What is the difference between the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) drives to the basket past Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated Boston Celtics 103-98. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) drives to the basket past Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated Boston Celtics 103-98. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 17, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) and forward Brandon Bass (30) in the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) and forward Brandon Bass (30) in the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Evan Fournier came out bluntly saying the Boston Celtics did not have more talent than the Orlando Magic. They do have something else that makes them so.

The Orlando Magic rarely make provocative statements. Rarely is there a crack in the inward looking nature of their talks and the determination in themselves to get better. This is the message Rob Hennigan and his management crew has portrayed and the message the Magic want to focus on.

Improvement and their path to a championship is about themselves and their plan. It is not about keeping up with the Joneses.

Fans certainly have a different view of things. Patience lasts only so long when there are the Bucks turning around from 15 wins to 41 wins and a Playoff berth in one season. Patience lasts only so long when you see another rebuilding team in the Boston Celtics, zoom into the postseason ahead of schedule despite massive roster overturn in the middle of the season.

So during exit interviews, Evan Fournier might have been giving the fans exactly what they want to hear, expressing the same frustration fans had about this past season:

“We have the talent,” Fournier said. “You cannot tell me that Boston has better players than us, because it’s not true. It’s about how we play and playing together and understanding what it takes to win. We have the right pieces definitely.”

The question is: do the Magic have better players than the Celtics? Is it that simple as comparing starters and saying Nikola Vucevic is better than Tyler Zeller? Does it come down to talent and stats alone? Why aren’t the Magic better than the Celtics?

Maybe this is an exercise in futility. Certainly, nothing should be taken away from Boston for a successful season.

Yet, Magic fans cannot help but wonder. . .

Next: The point guard