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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 20: Development

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 22, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel coaches against the New York Knicks during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel coaches against the New York Knicks during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Frank Vogel, Orlando Magic
Dec 22, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel coaches against the New York Knicks during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The Orlando Magic are still building their chemistry and identity as the midway point of the season nears. We open the mailbag to dive into development.

The Orlando Magic’s season has not gone as planned for sure. There have been bumps and bruises on the road as the team tries to learn how to play together and come together.

That chemistry building is still an ongoing process. The Magic’s 14-18 record is a reflection of all the inconsistency they have played with this season. The team fell behind early and has tread water since then. Everyone is waiting either for the team to fall apart or to make their push.

The trade deadline is creeping ever closer.

The Magic, though, are focused on themselves and developing their identity. Frank Vogel still has an unwavering belief in his team and what they can accomplish this season. And there are at least some signs the team can reach that level if they could only put things together.

That part seems still somewhat far of this Christmas. The Magic are still struggling to put all their pieces together and come together more consistently. Orlando is still a work in progress seeking direction.

A few days off this Christmas can get the team a bit of a reset. Especially coming off the team’s best all-around performance in several weeks. The Magic have some hope growing.

Orlando is still developing itself, though. The team is still figuring things out. Perhaps a bit too slowly. There is progress — if just incremental.

There is a bit of angst among the Magic — the rhombus of desperation as Zach Lowe of ESPN described a few teams desperate to make the Playoffs on a recent Lowe Post Podcast. The Magic are actively trying to improve their team.

But they also seem patient. There is still time to fix things — both on the court and through trades.

Until then, we have our questions to answer. After getting a deluge of questions after our last mailbag, I saved some questions to answer this Christmas.