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Orlando Magic No. 23 in Zach Lowe’s League Pass Rankings

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 23, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) steals the ball from Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) with lees then 2 seconds left during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Houston Rockets 104-101. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) steals the ball from Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) with lees then 2 seconds left during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Houston Rockets 104-101. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic’s changes may not have made them the most entertaining watch in the NBA. The Magic come in at No. 23 in Zach Lowe’s League Pass Rankings.

There was a time when the Orlando Magic were a curiosity to watch on League Pass for fans outside Orlando. This was a young team burgeoning on success with exciting players like Victor Oladipo and Aaron Gordon and stars the hardcore fans could appreciate in Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier.

The Magic’s wild offseason turned the Magic from burgeoning playoff team into a team focused on the immediate and trying to make the Playoffs now. They shed some of their exciting young players and potential to try to make the Playoffs.

What that team will look like — and who will adopt this team as their own — remains a big mystery. One that was not solved in their first two preseason games for sure.

There is still plenty of reason to get excited and watch this team. Just as their reasons to watch so many teams around the league.

In his annual League Pass Rankings, Zach Lowe ranks the Magic 23rd in the league, seemingly a statement more about the strong state of the league than about the Magic themselves:

"We need Evan Fournier’s hairstyle plan for the full season to really nail this ranking. I’m stoked to watch the Magic! If they are this far down, the league is in a great spot. Aaron Gordon is probably a year away from being a consistent “change the channel!” star, and the system is pessimistic about his transition to the wing — and Frank Vogel’s plan to use him like a bouncier Paul George. The trio of Gordon, Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo should form a massive switching terror on defense."

Lowe’s rankings are a combination of how good and entertaining the team is, the aesthetics of the team (arena floor, jersey, etc.) and the broadcast team itself. The Magic score well for their aesthetics and some of the intrigue on the team. They lack the star power to gain constant attention though.

That is expected from the Magic.

What is hard to predict is how the Magic will ultimately look and how they will play. And as Lowe says, sorting out the front court will be more fun on paper than it might look like on the floor.

The Magic promise to play a fast-breaking offense, but the team may struggle in the half court. And defense-heavy teams rarely get people excited to watch.

Aside from the stray Aaron Gordon dunk highlight or Mario Hezonja becoming the Mario Hezonja of our hopes and dreams, the Magic are not full of storylines.

As Lowe points out, this team should still be fun to watch. Or at least intriguing. And the aesthetics of a Magic broadcast are always a good thing. But what is still missing — like so much with the Magic this summer — is certainty. Nobody can figure out who or what this Magic team is.

Next: Orlando Magic will struggle as they gain trust

Until then, the Magic remain one of the league’s biggest mystery.