5 questions that remain for Orlando Magic at preseason’s midpoint
The Orlando Magic are a week away from the start of the regular season. They still have several questions to answer as the preseason turns for home.
Nobody knew quite what to expect from the Orlando Magic in the preseason. The team was largely the same from last year but had a promising finish. No one was quite sure what to make of it. Or make of the team’s general lack of activity this offseason.
Orlando had to work mostly on the margins as it looked to improve its team. Really the Magic were hoping some continuity and stability would make the Magic a better team. Any of the problems that plagued the team after the All-Star Break they could work on with a full training camp.
What the Magic have seen through three preseason games is something a bit different.
Orlando has certainly committed to a fast-break style of play that gets their athletes up and down the court quickly. The team does not seem to have missed too many beats from the end of last season. The Magic are, dare to say, entertaining to watch.
That might be too presumptuous.
Minutes are still limited for the team. The starters played into the second half for the first time all preseason in Saturday’s preseason game against the Miami Heat. No one has ramped up to their full minutes yet.
Still, things are very encouraging for the Magic even as they evaluate their roster and look ahead to the challenges ahead for the regular season.
Orlando has three preseason games left — a Texas back to back against the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs on Monday and Tuesday and a likely dress rehearsal finale against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center on Friday. Coach Frank Vogel said he will likely rest some of his starters in each of the games on the road this week.
Orlando Magic
The goal for the rest of the preseason is to continue evaluating the new guys and piece together his plans and rotation for the upcoming year.
"“Keep giving guys opportunity,” Vogel told Orlando Magic Daily about his goals for the rest of the preseason before Saturday’s game. “The new guys are in evaluation mode. I’m trying to give them as many minutes as I can in different situations and evaluate those guys. The returning guys I have a feel for what they can do. For them, it’s about just reps, and being sharp and conditioning and all those sorts of things. I’m not fully there yet. But each game I get a little closer.”"
There are still some things the Magic have to sort out in the next week before the regular season tips off. It is hard to say any of the big questions for the Magic have been answered, but there seem to be a few settled questions.
First, Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross at least seem as reliable as they were last year. They have worked themselves slowly into game shape with game reps. They know how to get themselves ready for the season and have played well.
Second, Elfrid Payton seems capable of managing and running this fast-break offense. He has helped the team go. And even though his scoring has been low to this point, he has distributed the ball well.
Third, Aaron Gordon seems ready to take a small leap in his game. His shooting has been much more consistent. And his athleticism has fit perfectly into the offense, giving him easier chances to score. In three preseason games, Gordon is shooting 56.7 percent from the field and 4 for 9 from beyond the arc.
Finally, Jonathon Simmons and Jonathan Isaac are as energetic as advertised and have helped elevate the team defensively. Jonathon Simmons especially will get after things on the defensive end and can change the game with his energetic play.
Still, the Magic have a lot to get done in the final week of the preseason before the regular season begins. In these final three games, here are the things to watch.