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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Surprises, what lasts and what’s next

By Philip Rossman-Reich

The Orlando Magic's Evan Fournier (10) yells as he is fouled by the New York Knicks' Doug McDermott, left, at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic's Evan Fournier (10) yells as he is fouled by the New York Knicks' Doug McDermott, left, at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks
The Orlando Magic’s Evan Fournier (10) yells as he is fouled by the New York Knicks’ Doug McDermott, left, at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic have gotten off to a surprising 7-4 start. That is not the time to rest on anyone’s laurels, however. There are still some big questions.

It is still very early in the NBA season. Only 11 games — roughly 13 percent of the season unbelievably.

There is still a long way to go on this journey to the Playoffs and beyond. A lot can happen.

Yet, it is clear there is something different going on with the Orlando Magic. All the cautious optimism from the offseason has turned to outright giddiness. There are a lot of fans hungry and ready to believe in this team. And the Magic right now are giving them plenty of reason to believe.

Of course, Orlando has been down this road before. Two years ago, the Magic raced out to a 19-13 start and had everyone ready to jump on the bandwagon, only to fall off after a 2-12 January relegated the team back to the scrap heap. Orlando never caught that high again.

Not until now.

This time feels different though. For various reasons, this Magic team seems to have taken an identity and has something that can last more permanently.

Orlando may not maintain its 7-4 start and finish in the top-half of the Playoff picture, but it certainly seems more than possible the team remains in the Playoff picture for the long term.

The Magic have raised everyone’s expectations up a notch. And deservedly so.

Now, as they head out West and face perhaps the toughest stretch in their schedule, the Magic have a lot of work to do to maintain their new place in the Eastern Conference and in the league.

There is still a lot to recap after the first 11 games and lots to look forward to as the season picks up its pace.

That is why the Orlando Magic Daily staff got together to answer a few questions about the team ahead of the West Coast trip. We took a look back at what has surprised us so far and what we think will happen down the road.