5 reasons the Orlando Magic will make the Playoffs in 2017

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Elfrid Payton, Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic

Feb 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (L) and forward Aaron Gordon (R) on the players bench during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Orlando Magic have been a bottom-tier NBA team the past four seasons. The upcoming season expect the Magic to enter a different conversation — the playoff conversation.

All summer long, the media has bashed the Orlando Magic and their attempt to reshape the roster into a playoff-caliber team. All summer long, Magic fans have convinced themselves the team made the right moves and did enough to make the playoffs.

Someone has to be wrong.

According to ESPN’s Summer Forecast for the NBA Eastern Conference, the Orlando Magic will finish with an identical record to last season of 35-47 landing them13th in the pecking order of 15 teams. The only two teams worse than the Orlando Magic in the rankings are the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets.

Tired of not living up to team expectations, the Magic took a huge gamble on their future this summer. They brought Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo in to anchor the defense, hired a new coaching staff to lead the charge, solidified a team identity and, most importantly, created a team that should be very interesting to watch this season.

But will that be enough to make the playoffs?

The Orlando Magic believe so.

Here are five reasons the Orlando Magic will be right and make the playoffs.

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