Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: The End
John Schuhmann, NBA.com
team. 41. . (66-14). Previous: . Golden State Warriors. 1
28. team. 93. . (28-52). Previous: . Philadelphia 76ers
Previous: . Orlando Magic. 29. team. 38. . (28-52)
"The Magic took a loss on their two Serge Ibaka trades, but the one that sent him away did give them a functioning (and relatively young) starting lineup that has scored at a high rate (111.4 points allowed per 100 possessions in 481 total minutes with either Nikola Vucevic or Bismack Biyombo at center) over the last seven weeks. Still, the bench stinks, they rank last in 3-point percentage, and an upgrade in the starting lineup might be necessary to take a real step forward. Three of the four teams involved in the 2012 Dwight Howard trade – the Magic, Sixers and Lakers – have the league’s three worst records since then, with their only playoff appearance being the Lakers getting swept in the first round by the Spurs in Howard’s only season there. Rob Hennigan is the only GM involved in that trade that’s still in the same position."
Phoenix Suns. 30. team. 66. . (24-57). Previous:
The Dwight Howard trade has really worked for no one. Even the Denver Nuggets did not get where they wanted. It was just going from one rebuild to another. The Nuggets are the only one that seemed to have hit on something. A credit to them.
Orlando has been kind of lost, unable to get the player they need to build around and move the team forward. And every time the Magic seemed set to build an identity, they fell flat. And this season has been a mixture of that.
The Magic will tell anyone who will listen they are playing better since the All-Star Break. Their record suggests otherwise, but that starting lineup is playing much better. It is at least got a positive net rating. That is a step in the right direction. Or at least a small one.
Orlando will have that under consideration when the team analyzes its roster after the season.