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2017 Orlando Magic Preview: Eye on the Playoffs

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Sep 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel, center Bismack Biyombo (11), center Nikola Vucevic (9) and forward Serge Ibaka (7) pose for a photo during media day at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel, center Bismack Biyombo (11), center Nikola Vucevic (9) and forward Serge Ibaka (7) pose for a photo during media day at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bismack Biyombo, Patrick Patterson, Toronto Raptors
Mar 10, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) wags his finger after blocking a shot by Atlanta Hawks Paul Millsap (not pictured) as forward Patrick Patterson (54) congratulates him at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Hawks 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. What are the team’s biggest strengths?

The Magic are still a bit of an unknown mess.

The key players in their lineup are still young and a bit unproven. The Magic team from the last four years failed to develop a clear identity. The Magic’s offseason acquisitions seemed to force one on them.

If the Magic are going to have any strength it is that there are enough players on the roster now that will force the team to pick itself up on the defensive end.

Vogel has had a top-10 defense for the past five years with the Indiana Pacers. Even when Roy Hibbert left. Even when Paul George was injured.

Ibaka is still considered one of the best rim protectors in the league. He is the Frankenstein-4 that both protects the rim and can jump out on the perimeter and blow up a pick and roll. His numbers and metrics are all trending down, but he is still one of the best defensive players in the league.

Biyombo is virtually all defense, shot-blocking and rim protection. His offense certainly is not what he is known for. His performance in the Playoffs when Jonas Valanciunas got hurt elevated the Toronto Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Magic should be a good defensive team. That is where their major moves pointed them this summer.

Throw in Aaron Gordon, who began to show flashes of strong defensive potential on the perimeter. He had a 1.2 defensive box plus-minus last year and has all the physical and athletic tools to become an all-defensive team caliber player.