Ranking the best potential defensive teams in the Eastern Conference

4. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic are expected to be a head scratcher all season. There is a log jam in the frontcourt, but the Magic also spent their offseason upgrading the defense. No one may do that more than free agent acquisition Bismack Biyombo.

While most fans know the Magic would be a formidable defense with Biyombo playing alongside Ibaka, the leading scorer the last two seasons is likely current starting center Nikola Vucevic.

There lies a problem. One center will start this year, which means one center is disappoined on the bench.

Both Vucevic and Biyombo are starting-caliber centers. And Vucevic has already said he believes he is the starter. Biyombo may not be as disappointed if he does not start because he backed up Jonas Valanciunas last year. But it might be tough to justify that big of a salary coming off the bench.

This offseason was full of rumors circulating about whether the Magic should trade Vucevic, primarily because of Vucevic’s lack of a defensive prowess and Frank Vogel’s “bully ball” style of play favors a defensive center like Biyombo.

For Orlando to capitalize on its defensive potential, Ibaka and Biyombo must gain chemistry by playing the majority of the minutes at center and power forward. Also Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon must play aggressive perimeter defensive while the ‘swat brothers’ man the paint.

If the starting lineup consists of Biyombo, Ibaka, Gordon, Evan Fournier and Payton expect for the Magic to finish in the top four in each defensive category.

Next: Stan Van Defense