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Jeff Van Gundy: Frank Vogel deserves credit for fast start, injuries slowing team down

By Philip Rossman-Reich

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 19: Jeff Van Gundy of the USA AmeriCup Team coaches during a training camp at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas on August 19, 2017. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 19: Jeff Van Gundy of the USA AmeriCup Team coaches during a training camp at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas on August 19, 2017. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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USA Basketball coach Jeff Van Gundy noticed the Orlando Magic’s hot start and credited the coach for getting the Magic off and running.

ESPN commentator Jeff Van Gundy was in Orlando earlier this week to help prepare the United States National Team for its World Cup qualifier against Puerto Rico (yes, they are doing games that count without NBA players).

Van Gundy has returned to coaching for the national team having guided the U.S. team to an AmeriCup title this summer in this experimental qualifying process with G-League players at this early stage. The U.S. defeated Puerto Rico at CFE Arena on Thursday to open up World Cup qualifying.

His main job remains to commentate on the NBA. The always vocal former NBA coach is not afraid to hold back on his opinions around the league or his views on what is going on around the league.

Because he is a national voice, the Orlando Magic are often not a team he talks about very often. But the team’s hot start — 6-2 at one point — caught the entire league by notice.

The Magic, as expected, came back down to earth some. The team has lost seven straight and nine of its last 11. But there is still something to be impressed with. Considering where the team was last year, Van Gundy gave credit to the Magic earlier this week in an interview with Stephen Ruiz of the Orlando Sentinel:

"“They’re one of the surprise teams in the league,” Van Gundy said. “They’re improved defensively. Frank [Vogel] is such a good coach that he has really figured out what it takes for his group to play well. If they didn’t have a couple of injuries, their record would be better.”"

This quote came Wednesday. The Magic have lost two more games since then. Both in frustrating fashion, trailing by 26 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves and 30 to the Boston Celtics. It is clear the Magic still have some major problems.

He gave a lot of credit to Magic coach Frank Vogel for the early turnaround. Vogel has wrung a lot out of a team that everyone recognizes has some flaws. All while keeping a bit of an even keel. The Magic still have a lot of room to grow and they still have to buy in completely to what he is trying to preach.

But Van Gundy said Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic‘s expansion to their games was impressive. And in a still watered-down Eastern Conference, there is always a chance. Even with the injuries — first to Elfrid Payton and D.J. Augustin and then to Jonathan Isaac — the team should have a chance to bounce back.

The Playoffs, Van Gundy said, will come down to who is healthier, who has the mental toughness to fight through adversity and who gets hot at the right time. The Magic are struggling in some of those areas right now.

But even on this losing skid, the Magic are 8-11 and just 2.5 games out of the final Playoff spot. If the Magic can rebound and put together a win streak, that deficit easily can be made up.

Van Gundy lauded the Magic’s defense, which is improved over last year. But the defense is certainly the key to accomplishing the team’s Playoff goals.

During this 11-game losing stretch, the Magic have a 110.3 defensive rating, the second worst in the league. Orlando has to tighten up its defense before it can go anywhere.

But, just less than a quarter of the way through the season, Orlando has shown plenty of signs it can take a step forward. Just as much as it has shown the bad habits that plagued last year’s disastrous 29-win season.

Orlando will ultimately map its path through the season. The team itself will have to pull itself out of their rut. Getting Jonathan Isaac back healthy will surely help. So too will Elfrid Payton and D.J. Augustin getting themselves fully healthy.

And so will easing up on the schedule some.

Next: OMD Mailbag: A new future

The one thing that Van Gundy has revealed is that the league has noticed the Magic are a better team this year. They earned those accolades — and the expectations to continue that come with it.