Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

5 questions the Orlando Magic face in season’s second quarter

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Nov 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) shoots the ball in front of Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (11) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) shoots the ball in front of Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (11) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic, Markieff Morris, Washington Wizards
Nov 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) blocks Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) shot during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Washington Wizards 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Can the Orlando Magic remain consistent defensively?

Perhaps this is more of an issue of doubt for the Magic. It has been four long years without much of an identity and just hoping young talent grows individually and comes together enough. Last year was supposed to bring a defensive identity with Scott Skiles in two.

Last year was supposed to bring a defensive identity with Scott Skiles in too.

And through the first two months of the season, Skiles did get the Magic to play pretty strong defense. Orlando ranked ninth in the league in defensive rating through Dec. 31. The Magic earned a 19-13 record.

Then, of course, the wheels fell off.

The team fell to 17th in the league overall, finishing 25th in defensive rating in the 2016 calendar year last season. So skepticism is still pretty healthy. Early season success does not

So skepticism is still pretty healthy. Early season success does not make a Playoff team.

The Magic have been the hottest defensive team in the league for the last month. Since Nov. 11, the Magic have a 95.8 defensive rating, the tops in the league by 4.7 points per 100 possessions. They are the only team holding opponents to less than a point per possession.

It has helped Orlando rise to the third best defensive rating in the league overall for the season. This is looking like an elite defense with Serge Ibaka hounding players at the rim, Aaron Gordon guarding players with stifling defense on the perimeter and everyone else fitting into the scheme perfectly. Nikola Vucevic is turning in his best defensive season

Nikola Vucevic is turning in his best defensive season by far — his 2.8 defensive box plus-minus at the moment is his best by more than a point per 100 possessions and he is posting his best defensive win shares per 48 minutes in his career.

The Magic have their most dominant defensive players since Dwight Howard was roaming the paint. There is undoubtedly more defensive talent and Frank Vogel is an extremely gifted defensive coach.

It seems like it is all too good to be true.

The team has seen the bottom fall out defensively before. And certainly, as the schedule stiffens this quarter, the Magic’s numbers may fall back to earth some. The question is can the Magic’s defense keep up this torrid pace and do enough to support an offense that is still struggling?

The Magic have carved a defensive identity. It feels like this defense is very real and not a product of the team’s weak schedule. But defense can be precarious. The Magic need to see continued success.