Orlando Magic 2017 Season Review: What Went Right — Lessons Learned For The Future

Mar 11, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; With less than a minute left in the game key magic players watch the game from the bench (left to right) Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Evan Fournier (10) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Terrence Ross (31) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Cavaliers won 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; With less than a minute left in the game key magic players watch the game from the bench (left to right) Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Evan Fournier (10) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Terrence Ross (31) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Cavaliers won 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 5
Orlando Magic
Mar 11, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; With less than a minute left in the game key magic players watch the game from the bench (left to right) Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Evan Fournier (10) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Terrence Ross (31) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Cavaliers won 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

It was a rough season for the Orlando Magic. Although things did not go well, there are plenty of things the team can learn from as they look ahead.

The Orlando Magic did not live up to the team’s expectations in 2017. They struggled in most phases of the game and fell out of the playoff race very early. Of course, even with the issues the team had this past season, they could be useful lessons the team can learn from as they try to pick up the pieces and get back into the Playoff picture quickly.

One of the biggest lessons the Magic must learn is putting players in a position that suits them. Orlando played one of their most important players out of position for the majority of the season, that cannot happen next year.

Also, the Magic made a change to small ball after the trade deadline. It was the case of too little, too late for Orlando. But at least the Magic found some sort of identity as the season ended. A full training camp and summer of planning for this style should only help.

The lessons are not only decisions made on the court but off the court as well. The moves the front office made did not work out either. Trading for Serge Ibaka and spending long-term money on two career backups had backfired.

The Magic must use all of the mistakes they made this year and use them to help improve as the new regime arrives.

This 2017 season can be turned into a positive if the team learns lessons from the mistakes they made throughout the year.