Matt Moore, CBS Sports
"They have some winnable games this week vs. Philly and the Hornets. Time to buckle down and tank hard. Again."
The No. 1 thing I get asked about and is probably talked about among Magic fans is the issue of tanking. Namely, how the Magic should do it and are not doing it hard enough by talking about building a “winning culture” and, actually, winning games.
Orlando defeated Philadelphia earlier this week for that win streak that had eluded the team for so long. Then the Magic lost to the Hornets at home after leading through three quarters. Part of the fan base rejoiced, although coach Frank Vogel said the team took it hard.
Here is where I come down on this as plainly as I can say it:
Purposefully losing is bad. Sabotaging your own team for no purpose does not help anyone. If any of these players are returning next year, the message should remain that losing is bad. It does not matter how high you pick, if that player comes into a culture where losing is acceptable they will flounder. Just look at the Sacramento Kings. there is merit in trying to win.
The reality is this team will not win many more games the rest of the season. They are not good enough and need the talent upgrade. The potential rewards for losing are there. This is a good draft class. But it is still a Lottery in the end. A lottery the Magic have played each of the past four years and lost every time (even when they did well to put themselves in a position to win it).
The point is, the Magic cannot rely fully on the Lottery anymore. They have to increase value in their own roster and build something with what they have — adding that high pick to it. In all likelihood, the Magic will be in the top five of a loaded draft anyway. Winning a game here or there will not kill them.