Transition is the glue and the key for the Orlando Magic

Through two preseason games, the Orlando Magic have established one clear piece to them. Their transition game will be central to their growing identity.

Not every stop the Orlando Magic make will lead to a transition opportunity. That is nearly impossible. And really getting out in transition is not so much about scoring quickly but catching opponents in a poor matchup or a mismatch of some kind. It is more about keeping the defense off balance.

Knowing the Magic’s likely problems in the half court, that is an advantage they have to seek at all times. It was something the team was not set up for much of last season.

When the Magic shed their height and opted to go small last year, their fast-break play was unleashed. Their pace picked up quickly and they were beginning to get out in transition more. They were turning their stops into points. And they were scoring points in bunches, at least the starters were.

It was clear to the Magic this was the team they had to become. They had to be willing to get out in transition. To make plays like they did Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks in a 112-89 preseason win at the Amway Center.

The kind of plays where they made stops, pushed the ball up the court quickly and found players like Evan Fournier running to the corners or attacked the space like Aaron Gordon (and do what Gordon does) or wait for Nikola Vucevic to catch up trailing the play and drain a 3.

This is the pressure the Magic’s transition creates. And what has become clear in the Magic’s first two preseason games is that this is the glue that will bind the Magic all year.

"“That’s something that we have to use,” Nikola Vucevic told Orlando Magic Daily after Thursday’s game. “It’s one of our main strengths, especially with the starting five. We can all run really well. I think it can be a big advantage for us. I think it is where we can be best. But to do that, we have to make sure we defend.”"

It is easy to fall into the trap when playing in transition to rush everything and try to get a quick shot on every possession. That is something the Magic must guard against. They have to know when a defense gets back and they can flow naturally into their offense. Orlando can get itself in trouble when it forces play.

Orlando Magic

There are still plenty of moments in this preseason where the Magic look a bit sloppy, driving in a bit too deep or passing it just a hair off, not knowing exactly where their teammates are going to be.

But overall, the Magic’s key units have used their fast-breaking style to get good opportunities and flow naturally into their offense in the preseason. The Magic are at their best to this point when they do not have to set up wholly within the half court.

That was evident against the Mavericks.

The Magic shot 53.7 percent from the floor and 7 for 14 from beyond the arc in the first half. They scored only two fast-break points, but the team was playing at a high pace and quickly flowing into their offense to get to good shots.

In all for the game, the Magic shot 47.7 percent from the floor and recorded 13 fast-break points. The team’s pace and speed in transition is not quite encapsulated in these numbers. But the team was doing better.

"“I felt like it was better, but still not perfect,” coach Frank Vogel told Orlando Magic Daily after Thursday’s game. “It’s preseason, we’ll still work on that stuff. the total body of work for the game was fantastic. I was encouraged by how we approached the game. We’re trying to play to a standard, no matter who is in front of us.”"

The Magic will not always be able to play in transition. The Mavericks were obviously a few players short of their NBA roster. Orlando kept the focus largely on itself for this second preseason game. The team knows it still has a long way to go.

But the team played to its standard — or at least got a bit closer to it with their play — Thursday.

At some point, the Magic will have to execute in the half court. And, at this point, it still feels like the team has more work to do defensively than offensively. The team’s rotations are still not perfectly clean.

It is very clear from the way the team plays the Magic benefit more from using their defense to feed their offense to get in transition.

That is where Aaron Gordon can fly to the rim for dunks and the Magic can use the athleticism they have on the floor. With the potential to put together dynamic, long lineups there is a potential to create more transition opportunities. It is the thing that could turn the Magic into an intriguing team.

"“Coach Chad Forcier says, ‘If we can play the whole game without having to call one play, that would be perfect,'” Aaron Gordon told Orlando Magic Daily following Thursday’s game. “Just fast break, all flow offense, all early offense, the better. The more fast breaks with this young team, the better. We’ll only slow it down if we need to.”"

It is still very early in the preseason. The team still has a long way to go. But the signs are encouraging for the team. They have a lot to clean up defensively. And even offensively, the Magic have to continue to reduce turnovers and the general sloppiness that comes from the preseason.

As Vogel noted, the Magic could still get better shots.

Next: Grades: Orlando Magic 112, Dallas Mavericks 89

But one thing that is clearly established through these first two games is just how getting out in transition can bind the team. And give it the identity the Magic have long sought.