Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Expectations and Excitement

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 3: The Orlando Magic mascot waves the team flag before the game against the Toronto Raptors on February 3, 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 - FEBRUARY 3: The Orlando Magic mascot waves the team flag before the game against the Toronto Raptors on February 3, 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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Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic, Cory Joseph, Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 27: Cory Joseph #6 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic defends during the second half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on March 27, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

After the preseason, what are your biggest concerns for the Orlando Magic?

Scricca: This was a concern before the preseason too, but scoring in the halfcourt will be tough. This team may look like world beaters when they get out in transition, but once their opponents gather their bearings and prevent those opportunities, the Orlando Magic’s offense collapses. I do not see this getting better unless a major trade that improves their spacing happens.

Palmer: I still do not know if the Magic have figured out how to make the bench work. Coach Frank Vogel seems very much against the idea of staggering his lineups so for stretches of the game the Magic go five deep off their bench. This would be far less of a problem if the Magic had a backup point guard capable of running and gunning. But in the preseason it seemed like neither Shelvin Mack nor D.J. Augustin really embraced running in transition. Without the ability to run in transition Orlando’s bench unit really has no way to generate points and remain competitive.

Rossman-Reich: I am still really concerned with the defense. The preseason defensive numbers for the Magic were really good. But Vogel is right. These numbers have almost no value. The Magic scrambled well and their intention and energy were fine. But they were too often out of position and over-relying on help. The perimeter defense was not up to par for this team. And that is, as everyone on the team acknowledged, what the team needs to improve on most. Elfrid Payton’s defensive issues are well chronicled. Terrence Ross and Evan Fournier are inconsistent there. Orlando has to be better defensively to take a step up and feed the offense. Vogel is a great defensive coach, but he may not have the horses to push the team higher.

Miller: I feel point guard play is a huge concern after a lackluster preseason from Elfrid Payton, D.J. Augustin and Shelvin Mack. Payton struggled last year on both sides of the ball. And I did not see much improvement in this albeit small sample size. Payton’s shot still looks broken and he struggles to space the floor. While coming out of college, Payton was hailed as a top defender, he has struggled mightily and I did not see any improvements in his preseason action. The veteran Augustin outplayed the free agent signee Mack, which is not a good sign. Augustin might have won the backup job, which is concerning, to say the least, given his love of the long two. The Magic’s point guard play has and will lead to a stagnate and poorly spaced offense.