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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Quarter season review

By Philip Rossman-Reich

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 24: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball during the game against Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics on November 24, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 24: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball during the game against Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics on November 24, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 27: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 27, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Elfrid Payton /

Other than the defense, what concerns you about the Orlando Magic from the first quarter of the season?

Scricca: Offensive decision making is still an issue. Aaron Gordon often forces the issue in isolation and when bringing the ball up in transition, and it shows in his incredibly poor efficiency numbers in both of those areas. Elfrid Payton is prone to ugly turnovers. Jonathon Simmons settles for tough midrange jumpers off pick-and-roll possessions. Veterans on the roster often neglect to make the right play passing to the open man. Some of these issues can be chalked up to typical young player stuff but others are a bit more concerning.

Rossman-Reich: The inconsistent point guard play is still very concerning to me. It is less about Elfrid Payton as a player and more about the intangibles needed to lead a team and get them back in the right direction. It seems like every time the Magic need a bit of a push or to get out of the rut, they do not have someone to take control. That should be the point guard in some respects. It feels like the team needs stronger leadership. That has been something lacking in the last five years. If Orlando wants to reclaim a semblance of that fast start, it has to start with the team’s leadership.

Palmer: The inability of Frank Vogel to understand how to use his players best. With the recent slew of injuries, the Magic have been playing a lot of Elfrid Payton and Jonathon Simmons together. There is a problem with this pairing for many reasons. The first issue here is that both Simmons and Payton need the ball in their hands to be effective. Payton has negative value to the team if he is on the court without the ball in his hands. Additionally, Simmons has not shown the ability to be an effective starter. Simmons still takes the same shots as a starter as he does as the sixth man but it hurts when he ignores more talented players. Vogel needs to understand his players’ strengths better and put his players in a position to succeed.

Doyle: I agree with Philip here. I do not think the Magic have an answer at point guard. Both Elfrid Payton and D.J. Augustin are not starting quality and do not have the talent to get the team under control. I think Orlando is desperate for a legitimate point guard that can run an offense effectively. I really like what Phil said about leadership as well, having someone on the floor that can be a leader is also missing from this team.