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Orlando Magic (Not So) Live: All-Star Break keeps questions bubbling

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) sits and looks up during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) sits and looks up during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Orlando Magic Live is back! Orlando Pinstriped Post editor Zach Oliver and Orlando Magic Daily editor Philip Rossman-Reich discuss the team at the break.

The Orlando Magic have reached the All-Star Break, which is as good a time as any to reflect on the season that has come before it and the task ahead of the team.

The Magic are sitting at the break at 23-29, which would have probably seemed like a good record back in January. Unfortunately, the reality of January was that it was terrible. A team that was playing so well more or less fell off a cliff and it is trying to dig itself out now.

Orlando is still in the playoff conversation with that record, but not living up to its potential and ultimately on the outside looking in at the break.

Things can change — both internally with the team straightening the ship and externally with the NBA trade deadline.

For a lot of people after that January, things have to change. That team that went 2-12 is still in there and it raised a lot of big questions about the Magic that need to be answered in the long term. And Rob Hennigan will endeavor to get some resolution at the trade deadline and this summer.

There is a lot to get to obviously. And it has been a long time — far too long — since Orlando Pinstriped Post editor Zach Oliver and Orlando Magic Daily editor Philip Rossman-Reich got together for an edition of Orlando Magic Live.

There is so much to get to that not only is this podcast jam-packed and super long, but we will be hosting a live Google Hangout at the trade deadline beginning around 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18. We will send out a link before the event.

But there is a lot of catching up to do and a lot of sorting to go through ahead of all that. So we pick it up and begin the arduous task of figuring out this Magic team on this week’s edition:

On This Episode

  • We recap Wednesday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs
  • How Mario Hezonja has helped the Orlando Magic climb out of their rut
  • Aaron Gordon‘s emergence since entering the starting lineup
  • Have the Orlando Magic met expectations from the beginning of the season? How much have expectations shifted?
  • What needs do the Orlando Magic need to address at the trade deadline and in the summer?
  • What did January’s swoon mean to the Orlando Magic as they prepare for the trade deadline?
  • How does Rob Hennigan make the pieces of this team fit together and build a team? What questions did January raise?
  • How do the Orlando Magic build a stronger team without selling the house in a deal?
  • The limbo the Orlando Magic are in waiting for a star player to emerge
  • How to read trade rumors or read into trade rumors
  • All-Star Weekend predictions

Next: OMD Podcast: All-Star Break with Carson Ingle

Do not forget to join us for the live NBA Trade Deadline Google Hangout and Orlando Magic Live show at the trade deadline Thursday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. ET. And be sure to keep an eye out for more information on Orlando Pinstriped Post Day at the Orlando Magic game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, April 3.