The Orlando Magic were desperate for a win heading into Philadelphia. That is when their veterans stepped up. And they continue to help the team grow.
The Orlando Magic traveled to Philadelphia 0-3 to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. There was a certain desperation about that game. The Magic had looked lifeless to that point in the season, with only brief moments of strong play. They were not going to be able to walk into Philadelphia in win.
That was proven with how the 76ers got out to such a fast start that game. This was not a team to sleep on.
The words though from veteran players like D.J. Augustin and Jeff Green and Serge Ibaka rang true throughout that game as the Magic had to fight and claw their way back, gutting out a win in the final quarter.
Do whatever you have to do to win the game.
“That was a must-win for us,” D.J. Augustin said before Thursday’s win over the Sacramento Kings. “Philly is a better team now and more improved. We were 0-3. That was a must-win for us going forward. I told them we have to win this game. We have to find a way and come together.”
The influence of veteran players like Augustin, Serge Ibaka, Jeff Green and even Bismack Biyombo has already paid some dividends for the Magic. It was one of the areas Rob Hennigan felt he had to fill this offseason.
It was not just experience, but championship-level experience too. Or at least deep playoff experience. In reality, the Magic actually are the only team without a player to win one of the five major basketball championships in the world (including NBA Finals, FIBA World Cup, Olympics, NCAA Championship and Euroleague).
That may not matter in the end so much as having players who have been through that battle. And having multiple players who have been through that battle.
It was the veterans who pulled the team together before their first win.
“We had to win that game,” Biyombo said. “I think that’s one of the conversations we had before the game. If we can play every night and put in our head that every game is a must win, then it will make a big difference. We treated Philly is as a game we had to win. Whatever it takes. We have to have the same approach going into game. That has to be the challenge for ourselves.”
The Magic appeared to play that way Thursday in scoring a win. Biyombo himself was a big part of that change both in Thursday’s win over the Kings and Saturday’s win over the 76ers with his defensive energy and effort. That became infectious and the Magic’s level of play picked up.
Orlando does not win any of their three games without Biyombo’s energy, defense and, perhaps leadership.
This is the fruition of the Magic’s vision for this roster.
So too was the boost it gave young players like Mario Hezonja as the season has begun and progress. Mario Hezonja broke out in Saturday’s game, scoring eight points in the fourth quarter after shooting an icy 26.7 percent from the field.
Relying on some of the veterans helped Hezonja stay confident as he struggled on the floor until he finally broke through.
Hezonja credited the Magic’s new veterans and the knowledge he has already absorbed from his teammates so far this season. It has created a different atmosphere from last year when Channing Frye was the Magic’s only real rotation veteran. The key players were all still in the early or mid-20s, many still on or just coming off their rookie contracts.
“Last year, pretty much everyone was my age,” Hezonja said. “We didn’t have anyone to learn from on the team. Even Channing was not that old. Now with the guys being around the NBA for so long, being in the Conference Finals and being in the Finals, it means a lot. When you listen to them, you see the purpose. You have to listen to them. Their experience is really interesting to me.”
Hezonja said he has gone up to many of the veteran players for advice and to soak up knowledge through the early part of the season. It was Biyombo who helped get Hezonja to relax and remain confident heading into Saturday’s game. That advice paid off.
This is a different Magic team than the ones the team has had for the past several years. It is older, even if slightly, and there are key players now throughout the rotation who have been through playoff battles. Their voices carry a little more weight.
They too though are still finding their fit within the Magic’s roster. Their transition on the roster has not been completely smooth. There have been bumps in the road — and there still may be some ahead.
Next: Orlando Magic showing results as they continue to grow
The veterans though are making a positive impact for the Magic and helping them stick together.