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Orlando Magic eager to set tone in first preseason game

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 1: Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a lay up during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on December 1, 2016 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 1: Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a lay up during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on December 1, 2016 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic get the first chance to test themselves against someone new Monday in Memphis. The team hopes to set a tone for its new season.

The Orlando Magic have gotten after each other the last five days of practice. They have beaten each other and had to work against each other to help each other grow.

The reviews are that they are satisfied with how they have played. Players and coach Frank Vogel seem to believe the team has made good progress. They are getting the basic concepts of what they want to accomplish this season and executing them against each other. The work rate is good at least.

Nobody really knows where the team is at. Nobody really knows if the Magic are truly where they need to be heading toward the regular season.

Monday, that changes.

On Monday, the Orlando Magic play their first preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies. It is their first chance to go up against someone new. Against someone not wearing their uniform (or practice gear).

Every year, there is the wave of excitement and curiosity for this opportunity. The Magic are no different as they wait to see what they look like their first time on the floor together.

"“Definitely want to set a tone tomorrow for how the season is going to go,” Elfrid Payton told Orlando Magic Daily after practice Sunday. “Get off to a good start. There is going to be mistakes, missed assignments. We just have to play through them and not make those same mistakes over and over.”"

Vogel said he has not yet decided if any healthy player will sit out the first game. He said Sunday after the Magic’s practice he had not decided on minutes for Monday’s game yet.

The Magic are relatively healthy. Terrence Ross returned to practice Friday after missing a few days. Jonathon Simmons was back at practice Sunday after missing some time too. Arron Afflalo sat out Sunday’s practice with a sore back. But Vogel said it was not a major concern and the team expects he will be available Monday.

The goal in the first game is to win the game, Vogel said. But the Magic also want to see the team continue to compete and build off what they worked on in training camp. Elfrid Payton repeated that sentiment. He said he wants to see the team work through mistakes and compete as the team continues to grow.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Among the tones the team wants to set, center Marreese Speights said, is to show the league the Magic will not be a team others can push over. Orlando wants to set that tone even from the first preseason game.

In essence, this first game is to reinforce what the team worked on in training camp and build the habits the team will need.

"“We’re taking steps at it,” Magic center Marreese Speights told Orlando Magic Daily on Sunday. “We have a lot of new guys who are getting used to how coach Vogel does things. But we’re taking good steps.“Everybody wants to be better. Nobody is here playing just to play. Guys have been asked to work and guys are working. Competing on defense and offense. We’re getting used to it so it has been a good training camp.”"

For returning players, the preseason will also be a chance to continue building what worked last year. Vogel said the team will be looking to pick up the pace like they did last year. Speights confirmed this was something the team worked on throughout training camp.

Additionally, Vogel said the team’s defensive philosophy will rely heavily on switching screens on the perimeter.

While he has emphasized in practice the Magic will need to take individual responsibility defensively, the team knows against modern offenses it has to be able to switch. That kind of defensive change will take some ironing out. That is ultimately what the preseason is for, after all.

That is ultimately what the preseason is for, after all.

Orlando will be looking to put all of the pieces together from training camp into something tangible as the preseason starts.

This first game is not a measuring stick. Vogel said he wants to see the team win. But more importantly, he wants to measure the team’s habits against another opponent.

The players just want the chance to compete again.

"“As long as we go out there and play hard and compete,” Speights told Orlando Magic Daily of the team’s goals for the first preseason game. “At the end of the day, nothing really matters right now. We’re competing and playing against another team. We have been playing against each other for five days now, it will be good to go on the road and play someone else.”"

Next: Orlando Magic feel confident through training camp

That opportunity to play someone else is something every player is looking forward to. And finally, the Magic can really see where they are at against someone new.