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Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live: Finding a process

By Philip Rossman-Reich

PHILADELPHIA,PA - FEBRUARY 24 : Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against Philadelphia 76ers during game at the Wells Fargo Center on February 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - FEBRUARY 24 : Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against Philadelphia 76ers during game at the Wells Fargo Center on February 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic are mired in what looks like the rebeginnings of another rebuild. So what did they get wrong and what lessons can they learn? We explore.

Orlando Magic fans have long put their attention for the rest of the season on the future. This was not just a trade deadline decision or focus. The Magic have lost this season, one win away from their sixth straight losing year. And all there seems to be playing for is the Draft.

That has sparked another internal debate. An internal debate going on with at least eight other franchises and fan bases. It is getting ESPN.com writeups now too.

The race to the bottom is going to be one of the enduring storylines after the All-Star Break. Entering Monday’s games, seven teams are at least 1.5 games out of the best odds in the lottery.

There will be different approaches. And perhaps there will be a time the Magic decide to rest healthy veterans, throwing out odd lineups — or just Bismack Biyombo. But for now, the Magic are trying to do something else.

Something that is still fairly important.

The Orlando Magic took on the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. The 76ers are a team that Magic fans have long compared themselves to. Philadelphia started its rebuild a year after Orlando and have found itself in the Playoffs this year with some lottery luck and shrewd building. Something the Magic did not have.

I believe it is something more. That is what I wrote after the Magic’s loss to the Sixers on Saturday.

What Philadelphia got right in their rebuild was a commitment to a process and a commitment to their players and their development. That is something Orlando got wrong throughout the last five years. The team never had a clear direction it wanted the team to move, nor the ability to develop the players already on the roster.

It was about more than draft picks and lottery luck. The Sixers developed a true culture that sought to bring the best out of their players and helped them discover diamonds in the rough.

Orlando seems like it is starting with some rudimentary building blocks to get there. But thing will obviously take some time.

There is still not a time to start like the present. And the Magic need to get started now. One of the many reasons why I am not for tanking. I believe winning habits are more important, especially considering the team’s lack of financial maneuverability.

On this week’s Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live, I discussed what the Sixers got right and what the Magic did wrong in more detail and what Orlando can do about it now to start down the right path.

On This Episode:

  • The setback against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday
  • Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic‘s early returns
  • How bad teams struggle for consistency
  • What separated the 76ers’ rebuild before their Lottery luck
  • Why a development culture matters first, then taking on a 19-year-old rookie
  • Keeping Mario Hezonja? How a sign-and-trade deal works
  • Why trading Aaron Gordon for a star is a riskier proposition than it seems
  • Why Jaren Jackson Jr. might be No. 3 on my draft board
  • How Mario Hezonja has impressed this season

Next: Jonathan Isaac happy to get reps in the G-League

Be sure to join the Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live on our Facebook page every Sunday at 12 p.m. ET!  Next week, I will be off for the All-Star Break. So join us again Feb. 25 for the next Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live. Also, subscribe to Orlando Magic Daily’s daily podcast, Locked On Magic, on Panoply, iTunes, Stitcher and TuneIn.