The thing we notice in the power rankings each week? The media still believe in the Magic. Few are putting them at the bottom, where they probably belong.
The Orlando Magic have been bad the past few weeks. Like, really bad. Incredibly bad.
How bad?
The Magic have lost eight in a row entering Monday’s game against the Thunder and have looked completely lost. In the past two weeks, the Magic are 12th in the league with a 102.0 offensive rating and 29th with a 112.7 defensive rating. They are 29th in that time with the second worst efficiency differential in the league.
More from Orlando Magic Daily
- 2023 Orlando Magic Playoff Lessons: Philadelphia 76ers can’t seem to avoid conflict
- 5 worst starters of the Orlando Magic’s Shaquille O’Neal era
- Orlando Magic FIBA World Cup: Franz Wagner can be a star if he takes it
- Orlando Magic are going to find out who they are in 2024
- 2024 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Moe Wagner is the spark off of the bench
Those are bad numbers.
Yet, the Magic are not being mentioned in the same breath as the struggling Timberwolves, Knicks or 76ers. In the pecking order of Lottery teams, the Magic are in that penultimate tier and not at the bottom. Again, their play lately suggests otherwise — especially after consecutive home blowouts.
The Magic are where they are right now. But everyone that observes basketball still seems to believe the talent is better than the record and the performance.
For yet another week, Orlando is in about the same spot in the power rankings all around the Internet. There is more belief in them than several other teams, but hardly any faith beyond that. It feels like the season has reached its nadir.
Let’s run through how the world thinks the Magic are doing.
Next: Jason Jones, Sacramento Bee