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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Playoff dreaming

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 17, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is guarded by Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) in the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Magic won 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is guarded by Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) in the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Magic won 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bismack Biyombo, Orlando magic, Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies
Dec 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) shoots the ball past Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

What was the greatest disappointment or frustration of the 2017 season for the Orlando Magic?

Philip Rossman-Reich (@omagicdaily): I think it was the realization there were so many pieces that were clearly played out of position and there was nothing anyone could do about it. I could talk myself into believing Aaron Gordon could play small forward. And I could talk myself into the Bismack Biyombo–Serge Ibaka pairing. And that the team could overcome its shooting shortcomings with strong defense. But that all just proved to be untrue. The roster did not work. And we all knew it did not work. We just assumed talent would win the day. That is just poor planning, especially for a season that had so much riding on it.

Ricky Scricca (@scricca1): Of course the defense was a gigantic letdown. But, no matter who is to blame, Mario Hezonja’s season was a big disappointment to me. You can blame a lack of opportunity or you could say he just was not good enough. Either way, an added scoring punch and shooting from the wing position would have seriously helped the Magic. Maybe the frontcourt-heavy roster would have been at least a little bit more serviceable had he been a rotational contributor.

Zach Palmer (@FmrTankCommandr): I would say the biggest disappointment would have to be how the defense played as a unit. I have no idea how this team is so helpless on the perimeter. Elfrid Payton, D.J. Augustin, Jodie Meeks and Evan Fournier had no shot at defending anybody this year. Mario Hezonja improved some, but he could not shoot to save his life. Same goes for C.J. Watson. On the interior, Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo seemed like shells of themselves from a shot-blocking standpoint. I wonder if that had to do with the scheme in general or if it had to do with the perimeter guys. Nikola Vucevic showed improvement but the Magic were still obviously vulnerable in the pick and roll when he was in the game. Really, outside of Aaron Gordon, none of Orlando’s main guys were worth a damn on defense this year.

David Iwanowski (@davidiwan1): The biggest disappointment to me is the lack of assets going forward. Yes, the Magic were a huge letdown as a team (second biggest drop off from their Bovada Over/Under). And yes, the defense was about 15 spots lower than we hoped. The difference between the Magic and the other bad teams is that those other bad teams have pieces that excite their fans and other front offices, and the Magic do not. The Magic may have the least desirable roster in the league. They do have a lottery pick in the upcoming draft. But other than, that they do not really have much to build on. Unless they draft a franchise-changing player ready to make an immediate impact, the Magic may see themselves on a Sacramento Kings/Minnesota Timberwolves style playoff drought.