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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Way too early impressions

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Oct 28, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons forward Aron Baynes (12) and forward Stanley Johnson (7) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons forward Aron Baynes (12) and forward Stanley Johnson (7) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Orlando Magic, Elfrid Payton, Joel Embiid, Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers
Nov 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) controls a loose ball past Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Robert Covington (33) in the closing seconds of the game at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 103-101. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

What is the biggest positive from the first week of the Orlando Magic season?

McMillan: Elfrid Payton’s confidence and Frank Vogel’s trust in Payton. It was reported Elfrid Payton worked on his shooting this offseason and it is starting to show in his willingness to shoot. In previous years when defenders played off of him, Payton was reluctant to shoot the ball. This season Vogel has given him the green light to shoot the ball knowing he has to get comfortable with it in game situations for it to be a weapon. Going back to preseason, Payton took a bulk of the shots to close out the game including a 3-pointer to tie it up and a drive to go ahead in the final game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Vogel is letting Payton play to his strengths by allowing him to penetrate and create for others, if the team can find their shooting touch this offense will take off with Payton playing this aggressive style.

Palmer: Aaron Gordon’s perimeter defense has been absolutely incredible. He has matched up with Justise Winslow, Markieff Morris and LeBron James, and he has done about as good of a job as he possibly could on any of them. Aaron Gordon has the lateral quickness, basketball smarts and now the strength to effectively defend just about any wing player in the NBA.

Grullon: The biggest positive from the first week of the Orlando Magic season has been Aaron Gordon. I had my concerns and doubts about Gordon’s ability to adapt to the small forward position. But through three games he has done a solid job on both ends of the floor. I would like to see Gordon shoot the ball more and be a bit more aggressive, but that will come with more confidence. On defense he has been terrific with opponents shooting 25 percent from the field when they are being guarded by Gordon (through three games). Opponents have a -18.6 field goal percentage difference between their average field goal percentage and the field goal percentage they average when they are being defended by Gordon.

Rossman-Reich: It is starting to look like Elfrid Payton is rounding back to his rookie year form. At least on offense. His defense is still inconsistent. But he made that big play against the 76ers to set up the victory. The Magic are a much better team when Payton is playing at a high level. His ability to get into the paint and create for others has been invaluable. And he has shown much more confidence in his shot. This is the Elfrid Payton the Magic have wanted to see for a long, long time.