Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Our own little tier

Mar 1, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) drives to the basket as Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) drives to the basket as Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 8
Next
Feb 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic Interim head coach James Borrego (center) reacts after the Chicago Bulls take a last second lead during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Magic lost 97-98. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic Interim head coach James Borrego (center) reacts after the Chicago Bulls take a last second lead during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Magic lost 97-98. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Marc Stein, ESPN.com

. Previous: . Golden State Warriors. 1. team. 41.

84. . . Previous: . Sacramento Kings. 25. team

Maybe you’re scoffing at the idea that we keep referring to what’s happening with the East’s No 7 and 8 seeds as a “race.” Now imagine how the Magic feel. They made a February coaching change largely because they’re lagging behind the six teams with losing records that still have playoff life.. . Previous: . Orlando Magic. 26. team. 38

. . Previous: . Los Angeles Lakers. 27. team. 20

The Magic had slim Playoff hopes on the day that James Borrego took over for Jacque Vaughn. The move was couched publicly as a desire to put some more wins up on the board. Vaughn’s dismissal was about the team falling out of the Playoff picture too soon.

That is how the Magic wanted to sell things to their fans. They publicly stated Playoff aspirations (if not direct order to make the postseason).

That is not quite the case. Losing was bad, but not the end of the world. What was the end of the world was the perceived lack of effort and home blowouts that showed a team drifting toward perpetual defeat rather than eventual victory. Some of that was certainly roster construction.

To expect a major turnaround under Borrego was asking quite a lot.

Next: Matt Dollinger, Sports Illustrated