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Orlando Magic Daily Podcast Episode 66: What’s left this season and the future with Hocus Podcast

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeats the Orlando Magic 114-106 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeats the Orlando Magic 114-106 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic season is nearing its end and we are beginning to plan for the future. That is where our discussion with Hocus Podcast take us.

The Orlando Magic season took a strange turn this past week. Or maybe not a strange turn, more of an inevitable one. It was a momentous week — and for all the wrong reasons.

The team was officially eliminated from the Playoffs on Tuesday thanks to a buzzer beater from Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside. That was an inevitable result for a season that has been a painful struggle.

The Magic have known for a long time they would not be making the Playoffs. That is what happens when a team struggles to hover near .500 or string together a win streak. The team has had a difficult time finding its identity after the initial plan failed.

Even the team’s new identity has seen its struggles. Orlando is 6-11 since the All-Star Break, which is better than the team’s overall pace. But that still probably is not enough to make the Playoffs or inspire confidence.

And none of that was helped Wednesday with Russell Westbrook’s assault on the record books with his 57-point triple double in a come-from-behind overtime victory for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Part of the team wanted to hold its head high after playing a strong game against a historic performance. The other part was disappointed the team collapsed and lost a 21-point third-quarter lead.

It really felt like the kind of game the team needs to win. That is if the team is committed to winning and building a winning culture. It is a learning lesson among very many the team has experienced even since the All-Star Break.

The team’s future is as up in the air as anything else for all these reasons.

And we will be spending a good chunk of the summer figuring out how the Magic move forward and how the Magic push themselves back into the Playoff picture for 2018.

There appears to be change on the horizon, a major draft pick to use and a lot of questions to answer about the current roster.

To being digging into some of these changes, Brett Roberts of Hocus Podcast and I sat down to discuss the state of the current Magic, the direction the team might head in the summer and other early questions about the team as the season comes to a close.

We recorded this podcast after Wednesday’s game:

On This Episode:

  • Reaction to Russell Westbrook’s record-breaking performance
  • What do the Magic do with Elfrid Payton in a point guard-heavy draft
  • Who should the Orlando Magic target with their second first round pick
  • What is available to the Orlando Magic in this year’s Draft
  • What is Rob Hennigan’s future with the Orlando Magic
  • What is the best structure for the Orlando Magic’s front office
  • What should the Orlando Magic look for in a new general manager if they go that direction

Also be sure to check out the recap of Wednesday’s game where Locked On Thunder’s Fred Katz joined the show for some Magic-Thunder discussion.

Be sure to check out Hocus Podcast, part of the Almighty Baller Podcast Network, and follow Brett on Twitter @33trigger.

Next: Orlando Magic give way to Russell Westbrook's will

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