Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Signs of life, even in death
Gerald Bourguet, Hoops Habit
41. . (59-14). Previous: . Golden State Warriors. 1. team
Philadelphia 76ers. 26. team. 93. . (27-46). Previous:
team. 38. . (27-46). Previous: . Orlando Magic. 27
"Elfrid Payton recorded his fourth triple-double of the season (tied for fifth-most in the NBA) in that 28-point victory, Terrence Ross is scoring the ball well and Nikola Vucevic continues to be one of the league’s most overlooked passing big men. This season is still a colossal disappointment, but the past week was better."
(22-52). Previous: . Phoenix Suns. 28. team. 66.
When things hum for the Orlando Magic, they really hum. This feels like a dangerous team with versatile players who can run and swarm defensively. It feels like the Magic should be much better than they actually are. And their record since the Break suggests they are indeed better than they have played beforehand.
The problem is the Magic have not been able to get that to occur every game. And they certainly have not gotten it to happen for a full 48 minutes every game. There are far too many losses where the team simply drops the ball. That has been a far too consistent theme this year.
These are all problems the magic need to address this offseason and evaluate with the remaining games this season. The answers seem evident — and many of them are. But this is still an extended audition for the Magic as they are presently constructed.
The good news is, the Magic seem to have settled on an identity and a style that they should be able to carry through to the next season. It should help them focus on players to acquire this summer.
That is at least a start.