Orlando Magic Week 11 Takeaways: Still rough around the edges

Jan 8, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends against Brooklyn Nets guard Donald Sloan (15) during second half at Barclays Center. The Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 83-77.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends against Brooklyn Nets guard Donald Sloan (15) during second half at Barclays Center. The Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 83-77.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
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Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
Nov 9, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) brings the ball up court against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

By Alex Horvath

The team is missing Elfrid Payton, badly.

The only true point guard available for the Magic currently is Shabazz Napier, and that is not someone you want to rely on to play big minutes.

C.J. Watson is still nowhere to be found (still harboring a sore calf). Aaron Gordon is creeping up on that starting spot, considering the Magic’s pick and roll defense is atrocious, Frye and Vucevic are much too slow, and Gordon would help fix that easily.

What do John Wall, LeBron James and Kris Humphries have in common? They are all Magic killers. Wall and James understandable, but Humphries? Come on.

At least Orlando can beat the teams it is supposed to beat, such as Brooklyn. Still struggling against teams in the hunt, going a whopping 1-5 ever since the New Year.

Tobias Harris is in slump, shooting 10 for 36 the past three games. Oladipo seems to be himself again, albeit not in the role you would primarily want him in. Hezonja is still going through usual rookie struggles. Showing some flashes of brilliance one possession, then looking completely lost the next.

The team has a rough stretch coming up, so it is important for its sake, and Scott Skiles’ tempers’ sake, that Orlando wins the upcoming game in London. Win first, sightsee later.

Next: Back to the mean