Orlando Magic Daily
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The Eastern Conference is a mess (it’s not just the Orlando Magic)

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) drives to the basket past Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Magic 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) drives to the basket past Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Magic 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Marcin Gortat, Washington Wizards
Jan 9, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) defends Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Wizards

Can the Wizards get back to defense?

The Washington Wizards were supposed to be the young team that rose to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers. John Wall and Bradley Beal had the Wizards to the second round and pushing for more. The way back up was seemingly inevitable.

Then the tinkering began.

Randy Wittman wanted to push the pace more. Bradley Beal got hurt. Nene and Marcin Gortat could not keep pace as both started showing signs of aging. And the Wizards quickly fell apart. There was n late-season kick to make the Palyoffs. The Wizards just disappointed.

Those changes on offense got a lot of the attention. But the defense was the big problem. The Wizards went from fifth in defensive rating in 2014 to 14th last season.

The increased pace may have had something to do with that. They were pushing to get the ball up the floor so much, they were unable to get settled when their offense struggled. The Wizards offense did not really improve.

Wall was his brilliant self. But without Beal for much of the year, the Wizards struggled.

With Scott Brooks taking over, the question is whether he can instill the defense like he did with the Oklahoma City Thunder then this team could find success again.

Next: All glitz