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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 26: All is new again

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 25: Aaron Gordon #00 Elfrid Payton #2 and Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic pose for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 25, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 25: Aaron Gordon #00 Elfrid Payton #2 and Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic pose for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 25, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton, Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – SEPTEMBER 25: Aaron Gordon #00 Elfrid Payton #2 and Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic pose for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 25, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic season is set to begin Monday with the first preseason game. And even though everything is new, plenty of questions still linger.

The Orlando Magic season has finally arrived.

The team conducted its annual media day last Monday and went through a week of training camp at the Amway Center. The week began the formation of the team as they try to recover from last year’s disappointing season. Coach Frank Vogel said he was largely encouraged by the effort his team put in. Their familiarity seemed to help them get things together.

There is a level of cautious optimism for the upcoming season. Coaches and management seem excited for what this team can do. But they recognize the difficulties that might come.

After all, this is largely still the same roster from last year’s 29-win disappointment. How much better can the team be?

Orlando used its offseason to work on the margins. The starting lineup from last year remains intact. Maybe that is a good thing considering how well the group played last year to end the season. But everything seems up in the air. Everything feels very fluid and relatively uncertain.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

The Magic are using camp to sort through their roster. Their management is also using this year to sort through and evaluate the roster. It means a lot of pressure for players on this team and a lot of pressure to perform.

But that is far from everyone’s mind right now. Right now the Magic are focused on making themselves better. They said they are putting the focus on getting better every day. They do not want to think about the bigger picture. Not quite yet, at least.

We are though. Magic fans have nowhere else to think. Not with the promise of the season in front of them. Orlando fans want a reason to believe in this team. That is very much a big task ahead for the Magic in the long-term.

In the short-term, they are 0-0. The chance for anything to happen this season is still in front of them. It is a beautiful opportunity.

It is the beginning of the season.

There are still plenty of questions to sort through this preseason. The Magic will do their part to sort through them before the season starts. And so will we in today’s mailbag.