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5 reasons the Orlando Magic will make the Playoffs in 2017

By Kenneth Oliver

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
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 /
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Detroit Pistons 2.0

Orlando Magic Daily writer, Spencer Henderson, wrote about how the Magic roster seemed eerily close to the 2004 Detroit Pistons team. The Dare-You-To-Score team led by former players Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince.

When you examine this current Magic roster, the similarities are quite striking.

The focus of that 2004 Pistons team was defense and hustle. And a strong floor general.

Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace were the rim protectors who patrolled the paint and cleaned up perimeter mistakes. Rasheed was one of the best stretch-4s to play the game and it is a role Serge Ibaka should fit well with the Magic. Biyombo will have to channel his version of Ben Wallace and become a hustling defensive ace.

Evan Fournier will be the Magic’s version of Richard Hamilton. The difference is Fournier is a much better 3-point shooter. If the Magic can find curl sets and run the pick and roll with efficiency, then Fournier could be looking at a career year in points.

Aaron Gordon will have to play the Tayshaun Prince role of solid defense on the perimeter and scoring when opportunity presents itself. Orlando needs to be cautious with Gordon though not to burden him with too much offensive duties at this point or his development could suffer.

The real test of the team will lie with point guard Elfrid Payton. Payton will have to become former All Star Chauncey Billups, which is no easy task. Billups essentially was the offensive catalyst by controlling the tempo and seemingly always making the right play. Payton showed glimpses of being capable last season but will really need to take the next step forward in his game to get the Magic where they need to be.

He will need to make shots too. Big shots.

The only thing stopping him is himself. With no clear threat behind him on the depth chart, it is hard to imagine Frank Vogel not asking Payton to look to create his own shot.

And last but not least, Nikola Vucevic or should I say Antonio McDyess 2.0?

A starting center potentially coming off the bench. Vucevic can anchor the offense from the bench and add a nice scoring punch for the second unit. The Magic found some success last season when Vucevic came off the bench from injury and now the Magic should find a nice defensive boost from him this year.

This Magic team should be just as menacing as the 2004 Pistons team and, as of now, no one is giving the Magic a chance.

Next: The Coaching Staff