The Orlando Magic are off and running for the 2018 season. Training camp is well underway and there are big questions to answer. The preseason is a start.
The Orlando Magic have started their training camp trying to get themselves right following a disappointing 29-win season. Most of the players do not want to talk about that struggle last season. They want to focus on what they can do now and how they can make this season better.
There is quiet optimism about the team, but nobody wants to get too far ahead of themselves. Players specifically avoided talking about the Playoffs, recognizing that pressure and that talk only got them into trouble and got them frustrated. Instead, the Magic have thrown around another “P” word — Process.
Coach speak and buzz words aside — “process over results” is a common refrain from training camp — there are some very real stakes and consequences for this upcoming Magic season and in training camp.
Orlando may not be everyone’s favorite to make the Playoffs this year. In fact, the team may not be everyone’s favorite to make any massive improvements. Most projections have them winning somewhere around 32 games. This is not a team with many Playoff expectations. And there is still a lot of work for this team to do.
But this is still a team that has a lot to accomplish. Especially as management gets a feel for the roster and what they have to work with moving forward.
As coach Frank Vogel said repeatedly both before and during training camp, the Magic will need internal improvement to take their next step. That is an understatement with some of the young talent feeling the pressure to make good on their promise. Especially in front of a new management group.
Those bigger questions will hover over the team for the entire season.
Orlando Magic
For now, the Magic are trying to get their legs under them. Literally trying to get their game legs under them to start camp. From there, the team will be off and running. And this season will play out.
Preseason cannot seem to get here fast enough. Just to give fans some data and a chance to watch this team.
But a lot has to get done before that in training camp. And the preseason will serve as a prelude to the regular season to come.
As camp starts for the Magic, we gathered the Orlando Magic Daily staff together to answer some pressing questions about the team as camp gets underway and the preseason comes up on the horizon.
With training camp opening this week, what is the thing you are most looking forward to seeing from the Orlando Magic this year?
Ricky Scricca (@scricca1): I want to see how Jonathan Isaac looks in the NBA. His combination of skill and size is absolutely tantalizing and if he can shoot threes even a little (say, between 32 percent and 35 percent), he could have a valuable impact right away. Watching him play with Aaron Gordon, whether it is at the forward spots or in a small-ball lineup at the 4 and 5, will also be interesting, even if it is not immediately effective.
Muhammed Jumani (@MuMuJumani): I want to see how Mario Hezonja bounces back from a disappointing sophomore year in the NBA. There were rumors he had battled a knee injury much of last year (eds. note: he confirmed he spent most of the summer recovering from that injury and trying to lessen the pain). As a Mario Hezonja fan, I hope that is true and hopefully he bounces back and has a great season. This year, the competition is very tough for Hezonja but hopefully, his play can reward him some minutes.
Zach Palmer (@FmrTankCommandr): I want to see how Frank Vogel will adapt to his new team. Last season, Orlando really struggled on offense and it was clear that changes needed to be made from a schematic standpoint as well as a talent standpoint. I am very interested in finding out what changes if any have been made in an effort to help his guys out.
Philip Rossman-Reich (@philiprr_omd): I am still an Aaron Gordon believer. Ever since I saw him take his huge leap in Summer League after his rookie season, I have been waiting to see him take that leap that summer promised. Injuries every offseason since (including that one) have slowed his growth. His seemingly boundless talent has never truly surfaced. And fans like me are left waiting. This is the year where Gordon has no excuses. He is healthy in training camp. He had a strong end to last season. And the team is set up for him to be a featured player. If Gordon is going to take a leap, now is the time.
What player will the season turn on? Who is the most important player for the Magic to achieve their goals? What are their goals this season?
Scricca: While a lot of people would certainly love to see the Magic tank for a high draft pick, I think trying to win as much as possible would go a long way in improving the organization’s reputation and the locker room culture, which is very important. I think the team’s personnel changes since and including the Serge Ibaka trade have been conducive to that. Making a run at the eighth seed could be galvanizing, especially for the younger players who the organization hopes to develop. Aaron Gordon taking a step forward — which I believe he can and will make — will make the biggest difference here.
Jumani: I think the most important player for the Magic is Elfrid Payton. He has been criticized a lot — and I mean a lot — with his play in past years. But it is no secret the Magic are really good when Elfrid Payton is at his best. He played very well after the All-Star Break last season after the Magic finally ditched their big-man lineup. He strives in the open court and I strongly believe the Magic can sneak into the playoffs barring any injuries, with Payton leading the way at point.
Palmer: I do not think it is much of a secret Aaron Gordon is probably the most important player to Orlando’s success. If Gordon can play better than he did post-All-Star Break, the Magic may very well have their first All-Star since Dwight Howard. Gordon, thanks to his natural athletic gifts presents a matchup nightmare for most power forwards. He is going to have to use that athleticism advantage in order to make him an effective number one option for Orlando’s offense. That is what Orlando will need to have a successful season.
Rossman-Reich: Aaron Gordon is the easy answer (and the correct one). But Elfrid Payton is still going to be the guy who makes this team go. The Magic gave Payton another year to prove he can be the team’s point guard of the future. And at the end of last season, he took those reigns and ran with them. Orlando is relying on him to drive the car again. If Payton struggles to get penetration or distribute the ball, the Magic will struggle. If he plays like he did to end last season on offense, the Magic could surprise.
What is the biggest question the Magic have to answer in the preseason?
Scricca: How can Frank Vogel balance his rotations? This team has a lot of “one-way” players. Marreese Speights, Arron Afflalo, Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross are all decidedly offense-first players, while Aaron Gordon, Bismack Biyombo, Jonathan Isaac (at least for year one) and Jonathon Simmons are defense-first. There may be growing pains if Vogel cannot find a way to play lineups that have enough defense, shooting and scoring consistently. For a while, we may see some pretty rough lineups, but once there is a rhythm, this team could be fairly well-rounded.
Jumani: I have to agree with Ricky here. It remains to be seen how Frank Vogel manages his rotations. This team has depth this season, something they lacked last season. For instance, I believe starting Jonathon Simmons over Terrence Ross will be a better move for the Magic because Simmons is a better defender and Magic need scoring off the bench, which Ross is excellent at providing. But I am very curious to see who Vogel has on the floor come opening night.
Palmer: Are they any good? Most people will go ahead and tell you, “Oh, preseason does not matter.” Well, I disagree. Last season the Magic looked like an unbelievable train wreck in the preseason. It was surreal just how awful they looked. Somehow, the Magic managed to carry that over in the regular season and thus the disappointing 29-win season commenced.
Rossman-Reich: I think the biggest question the Magic have to answer is to find a lineup that creates a balance between offense and defense. We know Frank Vogel wants to build a defensive team and the Magic have to develop themselves defensively and commit to their defensive principles. But the problem is the team that would be best defensively would not have much of a chance offensively. The Magic are going to struggle offensively and it is tricky to find a lineup that can both score effectively and defend.
The Magic have 14 guaranteed contracts, who picks up spot 15? Should anyone?
Scricca: I still think there a few somewhat interesting free agent options, like Mike Dunleavy, who could provide some shooting. But I would also love to see Khem Birch get that spot as Aaron Gordon may be the current roster’s best roll-man, and if Nikola Vucevic or Bismack Biyombo are traded, the Magic would need another big anyways.
Jumani: I strongly believe it will be Khem Birch because the Magic seem to be very high on him. He may turn out to be a good backup to the center position if Nikola Vucevic or Bismack Biyombo get traded or injured. He is a very intriguing player, I was not very aware of his game. But after studying him for the past couple months, I am very curious to see what he brings to the table.
Palmer: Khem Birch Stan reporting in for duty. The 15th spot should go to Khem Birch easily. Damjan Rudez is his main competition and considering Rudez is not good at NBA basketball this is not much of a decision to make.
Rossman-Reich: I think it will be Khem Birch. He provides a versatile forward who can defend the pick and roll and help in the paint. Birch does not give much offensively, but he sets strong screens and can roll to the basket. Birch pairs well with a center like Marreese Speights or even Nikola Vucevic. He is kind of what Serge Ibaka was supposed to be for the Magic or was back in Oklahoma City.
Who has the most to prove for the Magic in the preseason?
Scricca: Mario Hezonja is fighting for his NBA career right now. He may be more hard-pressed to receive minutes during the regular season, so he will need to show something in preseason. If he can provide some modicum of consistency on both ends, he could be a valuable rotation piece for this team with his shooting. And if he does that, he should receive consistent minutes, which may also help his development. But he will need to show out in the preseason first.
Jumani: *sigh* Mario Hezonja. As Ricky said, he is literally fighting for his NBA career right now. His team option for the 2019 season has not been picked up (eds. note: the Magic have until Oct. 31 to pick up that option). If he has another disappointing season, it will be a very disastrous end to Hezonja’s Magic career. It pains me to imagine that scenario. Hopefull, his improved defense gets him minutes on the court.
Palmer: Unfortunate as it may be, the answer is definitely Mario Hezonja. The sad reality for Hezonja is that a poor preseason could ultimately mean an end to his short NBA career. Frank Vogel has been known to favor veterans and be stingy with his rotations in the past. Hezonja will need to prove his poor play and injuries are behind him or the ghost of Arron Afflalo’s past may take his spot in the rotation.
Rossman-Reich: Mario Hezonja has the most to prove in the preseason. He may not get much playing time outside of the preseason. He is the one player who has the talent to crack the rotation and do much more, but has not proven it in the league quite yet. If he wants a role on this team — and a place in this league — he has to impress in practice and have that translate to the games. He has to show up and prove he can contribute on the rotation. It does not help that he is working his way back from a knee injury that limited him all of last season. Hezonja has to make an impression in the next few weeks.
Next: Orlando Magic hope to turn defense into strength
What do you think? Give us your answer to our roundtable questions in the comments below! You can always connect with us on Twitter @omagicdaily.