Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live: Tanking, third quarter review and what’s to come
The Orlando Magic completed their third quarter with a pair of wins it seems some fans weren’t happy with. I address those fans as the debate continues.
The Orlando Magic are rounding for home. The third quarter of the season officially ended Friday with the team’s win over the Detroit Pistons and the final 20 games represent the sprint toward home.
Or the limp toward home, depending on your perspective.
It has not been a good season for the Magic in any stretch of the imagination. It is not even worth mentioning the hot start — it was 8-4, right? — anymore. The season has turned so far south that it feels like any win is met with immediate disdain. Nobody wants to win anymore.
It has led to some nasty battles online among the fan base.
There is undoubtedly impetus to lose right now. The Magic in their two wins this weekend went from tied for the worst record in the league to seventh-best odds. Do not worry, the Magic are still two games out from the worst record in the league. Still within striking distance…
Those who have their focus on the Draft Lottery, certainly have reasons for concern. And their position is completely rational. The league has set things up to be that way.
There is a reckoning coming. The Magic continue to hold a posture that they will try to win the rest of the season. They believe it will help them build a culture. And it is impossible not to feel good in the moment after a win.
There is no denying that there is a long-term harm to it. At least, if you believe in Lottery odds. The team needs to hit on this draft and the odds are simply better the more players you have to pick from.
I am very clearly in the group that does not believe tanking is the way to go. As I have written and said several times on Locked On Magic, I believe the team needs to build their development culture first. Without that in place, no rookie will succeed in Orlando. I am encouraged by the signs I have seen from the team on that front this year.
I am also, personally, done with the team relying on Lottery luck. It betrayed them the last five years during this rebuild. The team can find talent anywhere in the Draft. . . if they can develop it.
But, I need to acknowledge the other side of this debate. At least, in the interest fairness.
And that is what I did on this week’s Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live. I also discussed my MVP for the third-quarter of the season and what questions I want answered in the final 20 games:
On This Episode:
- The momentum of the Orlando Magic’s two wins over the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies
- Jonathan Isaac‘s early impact since his return
- Why tanking is appealing to the Orlando Magic fan base
- The myth of the Orlando Magic winning themselves out of draft position in the past… and why this year is different
- Recapping the third quarter of the season and naming a third-quarter MVP
- Mario Hezonja as the story of the third quarter of the season
- Where Mario Hezonja has thrived this season
- How much can Jonathan Isaac grow?
- The tricky balance of playing the veterans and keeping them engaged and invested and playing the young players the rest of the season
Next: Rumors: Frank Vogel on the hot seat?
Be sure to join the Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live on our Facebook page every Sunday at 12 p.m. ET! Also, subscribe to Orlando Magic Daily’s daily podcast, Locked On Magic, on Panoply, iTunes, Stitcher and TuneIn.