Orlando Magic respond with effort, now need to realize its importance

The Orlando Magic responded once again to a disappointing loss with an energetic and urgent effort to score a win over the New York Knicks.

The Orlando Magic gathered likely in the early afternoon at their hotel in New York City ahead of Monday’s game against the New York Knicks.

The topic of discussion was not going to be an easy one. The Magic were reviewing the tape from their lackluster effort Sunday night against the Indiana Pacers. There, it was clear the Magic lost that game from the moment they stepped on the floor with a lackluster effort. The Pacers were quicker to the ball and attacked the Magic’s defense with impunity.

Coach Frank Vogel said on FOX Sports Florida before the game he had some “difficult” conversations with his team. It was essentially a come-to-Jesus meeting, it seemed. A conversation about the team’s effort and inconsistency. And a warning to play with more energy if they wanted to save their season.

There are only so many times a coach can go to that well, but it was clear something clicked in an 115-103 win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday.

From the very start, Orlando was more energetic and together. The Magic moved the ball well offensively and cut and drove harder than at any point in the Pacers game. The ball went in, and Orlando had more energy on offense than they have in some time.

The defense was a work in progress from the beginning. The team fouled far too much in the second quarter and the Knicks made shots with ease throughout the first quarter. And they were still not extremely tight with their rotations or communication.

But the second half was encouraging. Orlando gave up just 44 points in the second half and 91.7 points per 100 possession. New York had a 47.4 percent effective field goal percentage in the second half.

Even through every struggle in the first half, Orlando stuck to its game plan and never lacked effort. It generated results. And the Magic playing from ahead for much of the game and building a large lead certainly gave them a cushion to make some mistakes and play aggressively.

Overall, though, Orlando just had more energy. It was all anyone in the postgame would talk about. They played with a much more concerted effort and energy. It was clear from the first play — a beautiful elevator for a D.J. Augustin 3-pointer — and every play after that.

The Magic never got down or despondent. They may not have been sharp all night, but there was an urgency and pressure to their game. It stymied the Knicks enough as the magic made shots and relied on their offense to win.

This may not be a sustainable formula — Jodie Meeks made seven of nine shots to score 23 points, including six of seven 3-pointer. It probably is not, the Magic need a better defensive effort for 48 minutes to be successful.

Certainly, they will need something more resembling their second half. Orlando played strong defense that half and kept their lead with Serge Ibaka, Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo protecting the rim and the perimeter players doing a generally good job communicating switches.

The basic element though is the one that is hard to quantify.

There is no statistic or metric to measure energy or effort. The league has started keeping track of several “hustle” metrics — Orlando recovered eight loose balls to New York’s three, for instance. And perhaps that does explain some portion of a team’s general effort. The Magic again posted 30-plus assists in an offensive clinic.

Those are all symptoms of that basic element the Magic need and has been hard to find every single night. Simple effort and urgency.

Orlando has responded plenty after bad losses. Those always seem to inspire the team to play with an extra motor and motivation. A bit of defiance.

These are the games — like Monday — where the Magic seem to flash that potential this team has. The consistency is the problem. Another lifeless game seems always around the corner.

The Magic again needed some motivation to play with the intensity and urgency they need every night.

Orlando knows this is the missing piece. To play with a consistent energy and effort is the first step to executing on a consistent basis. Orlando found that energy Monday following Sunday’s disappointment. It is easy to get motivated by embarrassment.

To make the Playoffs, the Magic will need to find that inner fire internally. They will need to find it without something motivating them to play better, much less their coach. The Playoff teams are consistent and play their style more often than not. More than that, they play with fire and urgency, even on nights they do not have it. At least more often than not.

Monday night, Orlando found that fire. And when the Magic have that fire they clearly look like a Playoff team. However the Magic get the motivation and energy to play with this kind of intensity, they need to find it soon.

When the Magic have it, it is fairly clear they have it and that they will play a strong game. When they do not, it is also very clear. And the Magic barely look like a functioning team.

Next: Grades: Orlando Magic 115, New York Knicks 103

Orlando probably realizes this as much as anyone. Now they have to turn around and find the energy and urgency themselves.