Orlando Magic Daily
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2017-18 NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Outlook: Preseason Edition

By Ryan Doyle

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 13: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the preseason game on October 13, 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 - OCTOBER 13: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the preseason game on October 13, 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, Bismack Biyombo, Jonathon Simmons, Jonathan Isaac
ORLANDO, FL – SEPTEMBER 25: Aaron Gordon #00 Bismack Biyombo #11 Jonathon Simmons #17 and Jonathan Isaac #1 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) /

On The Playoff Bubble

Let’s begin with the Orlando Magic.

Following a quiet offseason, the Magic appear to be eerily similar to last season’s team, at least from a national standpoint. But the Magic are trying to figure out which players fit in their future plans. Players like Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic will all be in the magnifying glass of the new front office.

As Orlando prepares to run-it-back, in a sense, coach Frank Vogel and his coaching staff appear to be creating a pretty strong defensive unit. One that can run in transition like few other teams. If the Magic are able to play strong defense and run the floor, they will be able to win some games next year.

On the other hand, the lack of shooting will be a problem. Orlando still lacks perimeter threats. In today’s NBA, it is not the style most teams want to play.

If the youth on this roster can develop internally and Gordon can take an All-Star step, there is hope for a return to the playoffs.

Along with the Orlando Magic, the Detroit Pistons are sitting on the bubble of the playoff picture. As the organization tries to build around center Andre Drummond, the Pistons could sneak into the final seed in the Eastern Conference.

It is also hard to count out the Indiana Pacers, who still have young center Myles Turner and a cast of serviceable starters around him. In a conference this weak, that may be all a team needs for a postseason berth.