The Orlando Magic are dangerously low in the standings and the Playoffs are slipping away. Is it time to pack it in or go for a postseason bid?
The Orlando Magic, currently 15-31, rank 13th in the non-competitive Eastern Conference. Currently in eighth place in the East is Brooklyn at 18-25.
According to ESPN’s Hollinger Playoff Odds the Orlando Magic have a 1.5 percent chance of making it to the playoffs. It seems like the Magic are a long shot, but the reality is they are still only 4.5 games out. A win streak could put them back in the conversation.
With the Orlando Magic still looking to refine their identity, is it smart to make a playoff push or go for a high draft pick?
Though the Magic roster possesses very little playoff experience, it is imperative for them to attempt to make a playoff run and not simply turn toward Lottery positioning.
Of the current starting five for the Orlando Magic, there is only 20 games of playoff experience (no starts) and they all belong to Channing Frye. Of the players that are in the Magic’s current rotation, there are only 26 showings in the playoffs (Evan Fournier and Luke Ridnour).
Having too many losing seasons creates a losing atmosphere. Look at the Minnesota Timberwolves. They have not been to the playoffs or had a winning record since 2004. Even with players who are considered “superstars” like Kevin Love, the Timberwolves could never really be considered as a playoff threat.
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Michael Jordan used to say that winners “Hate to lose more than they love to win.” When players play for teams that constantly lose, they become acclimated to that losing atmosphere.
The last thing the Orlando Magic want to become is the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Let’s say the Magic make it into the playoffs as the eighth seed with an overall record of 38-44, and they get swept by the Atlanta Hawks. Just because the Magic lose in the first round is not a complete loss.
The young, impressionable players on the Magic would get their first taste of an atmosphere unlike any other. Experience is invaluable in any occupation, and the more experience a group of people share together, the closer they become. Team chemistry will start to develop, and the Magic could potentially look like the playoff team they seemed to be not too long ago.
With the Magic fighting for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, there is still a high chance that the Magic receives a lottery pick or at the very worst the 15th pick in the 2015 draft.
It seems like general manager Rob Hennigan likes his young core of Nikola Vucevivc, Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon. With the 15th pick in the draft it would be very easy to package the draft pick with a player like Tobias Harris for a big name (should Harris resign or sign his qualifying offer, which comes with other cap restrictions), veteran power forward or simply just to move up in the draft.
The Orlando Magic are just misunderstood.
They are by no means a “bad” team. they are just a “young” team. With a playoff appearance, everyone will learn, mature at a faster pace, and the Eastern Conference powerhouse that once dominated the league will be on their way back.
It is not quite the time to pack everything in and succumb to losing. That is how losing habits and losing attitudes creep in. The Magic may not make it to the postseason, but they would benefit from giving it a try.