Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Sinking toward the bottom
Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated
29. Death, taxes and the Spurs. San Antonio boasts a league-best +16.1 net rating over its last 10 games, playing the NBA’s most efficient offense and defense and moving in full stride. Their last seven wins have come by 20, 19, 21, 26, 28, 28 and 17 points. Let’s hand them proper credit, at least until next week.. (30-7). Previous: . San Antonio Spurs. 1. team
Los Angeles Lakers. 22. team. 20. The Lakers just won three of four, and with how malleable this bottom group of teams has looked, that’s enough to net them a nice spike. Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell have stepped up so far this month, too.. (14-26). Previous:
Previous: . Orlando Magic. 23. team. 38. It’s one thing to say Orlando’s active off-season backfired, but what it has given them is flexibility. For a small-market team, there’s something to be said for compiling assets, making improvements and hoping to wait out a big free agent fish. The sometimes-maligned <strong><a rel=. (16-23)
66. <strong><a rel=. (12-26). Previous: . Phoenix Suns. 24. team
This is an oddly positive take on the Orlando Magic. One that comes from a perspective outside of the bubble Magic fans live in.
Yes, the Magic have been through a four-year rebuild that has yet to yield a Playoff berth. And yes, fans and ownership are impatient as the Magic have experienced the longest playoff drought in franchise history. But there is something to this notion the Magic still have some decent flexibility.
But Woo is also absolutely correct. Regardless of whether the Magic make the Playoffs or not this year (or who is in charge), the next moves the Magic make could very well set the franchise’s path for much of the next decade.