Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Signs of progress
A.J. Neuharth-Keusch, USA TODAY
1. team. 41. . (50-11). Previous: . Golden State Warriors
93. . (23-39). Previous: . Philadelphia 76ers. 26. team
Previous: . Orlando Magic. 27. team. 38. . (23-39)
"The Magic, seven games behind the eighth-place Pistons in the East, are on the verge of the franchise’s fifth-straight postseason absence. The silver lining? Coach Frank Vogel has the flexibility to experiment with different lineups. In the past four games, Orlando’s starting five — Elfrid Payton, Terrence Ross, Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic — have been the NBA’s third-ranked defense (among starting lineups), allowing just 97.9 points per 100 possessions."
(20-42). Previous: . Phoenix Suns. 28. team. 66.
The Orlando Magic do have some freedom to experiment now that the season is quickly approaching the lost zone. Orlando has recognized the Playoffs are a long shot — if that — but the team is still determined to pick up wins if it can.
The experimentation is continuing now especially as the team has to deal with injuries to a thin front court. The Magic have played Aaron Gordon, Jeff Green and Damjan Rudez at center in the last two games with Nikola Vucevic out with a sore Achilles.
That is probably not the experimentation the Magic had in mind. The experimentation they wanted was more in line with playing Gordon in small-ball lineups and trying to get out in transition more or use Elfrid Payton is space or Mario Hezonja playing generally.
This is a post-All Star Break with the opportunity to try different things out and figure out what works. The Magic have to use it this way to figure out how best to build for their opportunities next year.