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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Midpoint review

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 8, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Timofey Mozgov (20) defends a shot by Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Timofey Mozgov (20) defends a shot by Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aaron Gordon, Serge Ibaka, Orlando Magic
Dec 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) and forward Serge Ibaka (7) celebrate a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 104-88. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

4. What player has been the biggest surprise for the Orlando Magic this season?

Palmer: The biggest surprise to me is just how futile Orlando’s defense has been. I am not sure how the defense is this bad. It honestly defies all logic but here we are.

Jumani: The biggest surprise has been Serge Ibaka. He has done well contributing as the Magic’s first or second option, at times. He has shot the ball really well from beyond the arc, shooting a career high 39.1 percent. He has done a great job at being patient on offense, he does not force up contested jump shots, he remains patient and looks for the best shot available. He has done well passing out of the post to shooters on the perimeter as well. It is only the second time in his eight-year career he is averaging at least one assist per game. Many fans, along with the national media, were unsure of what the Magic were thinking when they acquired Ibaka. But the Magic have gotten exactly what they expected from Ibaka.

Rossman-Reich: Aaron Gordon has been the biggest surprise to me. I started the year very skeptical of the idea of Gordon playing the 3. I felt the season would turn on the success or failure of this experiment. And, for sure, he still has a long way to go. But I have become a believer in this experiment. I think Gordon’s future in this league is as a 3. His perimeter defense is too valuable. And with another (healthy) summer to work on his ball handling and shooting, he can emerge as a strong offensive option too. I have never been higher on Gordon’s potential.

Doyle: The biggest surprise to me has to be Aaron Gordon. I truly felt Gordon was just going to fall flat on his face at small forward. For a short time, it looked like he might. But he turned it around and has played pretty well there. There are still some glaring holes in his game, but the development he has gone through is amazing. The Magic have to hope this type of play will continue. Because if it does, things may change quicker than anticipated in Orlando.

Iwanowski: My biggest surprise is Jeff Green. I thought this was FINALLY the year he puts it all together and becomes a star scorer! In all seriousness, I am surprised Evan Fournier has not taken the step forward to becoming the offensive player the Magic had hoped he would become after signing him to an $85-million deal. His shooting percentages have regressed, and the four percentage points decline in his 3-point percentage, despite his volume being the same, is alarming. The Magic considered him to be a core part of their franchise because of his offense, and he has not progressed the way the franchise had expected, although he is still 24 years old.