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Previewing the Orlando Magic with Locked On NBA

By Philip Rossman-Reich

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 13: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings on March 13, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 13: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings on March 13, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The NBA season is a week away. The Orlando Magic are still cautiously optimistic about what is in store. I previewed the team for Locked On NBA.

The Orlando Magic’s season tips off in exactly one week.

Next Wednesday, the Magic will do it for real as they take on the Miami Heat in their season opener at the Amway Center. All the questions that have circled the team throughout the offseason will finally get an answer. Or at least we will begin answering those questions.

The questions about whether the Magic can grow through continuity and build in coach Frank Vogel’s second year are circling this team. The questions about which players will grow and whether the team can take advantage of the Eastern Conference’s overall weakness.

There has been cautious optimism about this team. No one seems ready to commit to putting this team in the Playoffs.

This is, after all, a team that still lacks a definite star player or a history of success. The last five years, particularly last year’s 29-win failure, have led just about everyone to be skeptical about this team. It is all fair. There is nothing in this group’s history to suggest they will take that next step.

I can rattle off the stats about the way the starters played after the All-Star Break and how the bench was a disaster. The bench is better this year and players like Aaron Gordon should be ready to take a step up after a fully healthy summer and training camp (finally). Familiarity should breed some improvement.

Nobody knows how much.

There are a few people who are hopeful the Magic can take that step up. At the very least, they want to see the Magic develop some kind of future.

Orlando has worked seemingly in anonymity on the fringes this season. They may truly sneak up on everyone because of how anonymous they have been.

But to help the national audience get a sense of the Magic, I joined the Locked On NBA Podcast to preview the Magic, answering some key questions about the team for the whole season.

Locked On NBA previewed the Eastern Conference in a two-part podcast. You can listen to the two parts below for a complete picture of the Eastern Conference:

The Orlando Magic certainly have their work cut out for them. The Eastern Conference may be weakened, but it should still be a formidable test for a team like the Magic still trying to learn to win. End the team’s five years of futility will be difficult.

It may yet still be a multi-year process to get back to the Playoffs. But the Magic certainly seem hopeful with new management in charge and all the other factors that seem to be going in their favor.

Next: Nikola Vucevic hopes to balance post play with shooting

Certainly since training camp began, the Magic seem to have a different feel about them. Only time will tell if the Magic can make good on this season.