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Orlando Magic Third Quarter Review: Answering the big questions

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 25, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) defends during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) defends during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers
Feb 23, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (8) and Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) battle for the loose ball during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Second quarter questions recap

I did not think to re-evaluate the questions I had entering the second quarter of the season a month ago. So I want to briefly review them here. Most of these answers are pretty self-evident:

Can the Orlando Magic remain consistent defensively?

The answer to this was clearly no. The Magic were in the top 10 defensively after the first quarter of the season but have completely fallen off a cliff since then.

The Magic have settled in at 21st in the league in defensive rating. That certainly will not get the job done. Nowhere near it.

Orlando is still seeking to regain its defensive consistency.

Can the Orlando Magic offense reach competency?

It is better perhaps than it was in the first half of the season when the offense was clearly holding the team back as it soared defensively. But the offense is still really bad.

The Magic are in the bottom five of almost every major offensive statistical category. And it has been that way all year.

Even with the style change and going to a more small-ball lineup, the Magic’s offense has floundered at times. the loss to the Portland Trail Blazer and the New York Knicks show there are still some big offensive problems.

Who emerges as the star?

There was a time when it looked like Serge Ibaka might break out some. Or even Evan Fournier. Even Aaron Gordon had some star-like games. But no one ever did.

This is one of the big consistency issues for the Magic. No one seems to know what they will get from any player on a given night.

Terrence Ross has helped free some things up. But obviously, he is not a cure all. His career is marked by inconsistency and streaky shooting.

Will everyone be happy in their roles?

It does not seem there is much of a problem in the locker room. Even with rumors the team was disconnected from Ibaka, it was never about him personally. It never felt like he meshed well with his teammates.

The truth is, things have changed so much for the Magic throughout the season. Roles never really felt settled as Frank Vogel tried desperately to find something, anything that would work.

Next: Terrence Ross says good bye and hello to new opporutnity

Some stability would go a long way to establishing roles and getting the team going in the right direction.