Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic’s second-half goals

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 2, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; The Orlando Magic get ready to play the Brooklyn Nets before the first quarter of a NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Nets won 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; The Orlando Magic get ready to play the Brooklyn Nets before the first quarter of a NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Nets won 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jacque Vaughn, Orlando Magic
Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Develop an identity

This gets to what Jacque Vaughn said when he was asked what the team’s goal is for 2015. He said he wanted the team to develop a toughness and physicality behind them. He wants to see the team develop a mental toughness.

That can be a tall task with such a young team. But it is time for the Magic to start building and moving forward. The team should try to exit this season with some idea of what this team will look like for years to come.

Have the Magic developed an identity and a belief in a system that will carry them through?

No, not yet.

This is Year Three of the rebuild and Jacque Vaughn’s tenure as head coach. It is hard to tell exactly how he wants his Magic teams to play. At a certain point the Magic are going to leave rebuild mode and enter contention mode. And to hit that mode, the team has to have a distinct identity.

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Kansas basketball in the NBA: Jalen Wilson will play for former Jayhawk Jacque Vaughn
Kansas basketball in the NBA: Jalen Wilson will play for former Jayhawk Jacque Vaughn /

Through the Phog

  • Jacque Vaughn sounds off on Trae Young after Nets beat Hawks Soaring Down South
  • Jacque Vaughn remains optimistic about the Nets' season Hoops Habit
  • NBA News: Nate McMillan fired, Jacque Vaughn extended, Lonzo Ball done FanSided
  • Appreciating the Brooklyn Nets for what they are Hoops Habit
  • Can Kyrie Irving lead the Nets when it matters most? Hoops Habit

    • At the beginning of the year, the Magic professed to be a defensive team that would get out in transition, using their youth to a supposed advantage. They certainly are not a fast breaking team — 94.9 possesions per game entering Saturday’s game, good for 24th in the league. And they are not quite a defensive team either — 104.2 defensive rating, good for 20th in the league.

    Orlando is not making the progress in these areas you would want to see. And the Magic are still kind of sitting still, leaving everyone wondering: How does this team want to play?

    Right now, no one can say exactly how this team aspires to play with this roster. Those identity issues have led to frustration when the shots don’t fall and that trickled throughout the team. They need good things to happen, particularly on offense, to focus in.

    That is not a team that makes its money on defense. The team just is not ready for that kind of identity. They have to find something they can hang their hat on.

    Maybe Monday’s win over the Bulls was a sign things are heading in the right direction.

    Next: Find consistency