Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live: The depths of despair and all we have to hope for

By Philip Rossman-Reich

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 14: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic and Thaddeus Young #30 of the Brooklyn Nets fight for the ball in the first half at Barclays Center on December 14, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.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 Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 14: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic and Thaddeus Young #30 of the Brooklyn Nets fight for the ball in the first half at Barclays Center on December 14, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Orlando Magic do not have much to play for in the last dozen games, and it kind of shows. There is one thing to be hopeful for and watch this year.

The Orlando Magic season is t-minus 12 games from the end of the season. And everyone can seemingly see the end near.

Never was that more evident than in the Orlando Magic’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. After the game, there were some hard truths expressed to the media. The team was searching for its purpose as the season wound down. And they were struggling to find it.

There was the momentary burst of pride and execution that every NBA team — even the worst ones — find in Wednesday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks. But it is also clear that it was not going to last. And it did not when the Orlando Magic fell with a thud against the Boston Celtics.

Orlando is struggling on offense right now, failing to eclipse 90 points in four of the past seven games. That is a bad sign in a league that is seeing record offensive numbers.

If anyone wanted to accuse Orlando of doing anything untoward, it is hard to argue. Granted, injuries have again gutted the team. The team’s top two scorers both went out in that time. But that is merely an excuse. The Magic could certainly execute better.

It is easy then to say, “What is the point?”

Indeed, the Magic are playing out meaningless games. Fans have already started eyeing the Lottery more than the results of these remaining games. Even with this long homestand just beginning.

If there is one silver lining it might be in the potential of the Magic’s two young prized possessions. And this might be the only thing to look forward to.

Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac have played precious few minutes together thanks to their various injuries. Considering Jonathan Isaac is a rookie and Aaron Gordon has been hurt for various points of the season, seeing how these two play together is vital to the Magic and their future.

Right now, it is all conjecture. No one knows how the duo will work together in the long run.

And that is what the Magic have to figure out as much as anything in the final dozen games of the season. That is if they can get Gordon back from his concussion symptoms soon. That should — should — happen this week.

There are a few other loose ends to tie up as the year concludes. And the optimism that comes from the Draft ahead too.

On this week’s Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live, I discuss all these issues and take your questions about the Magic’s future as we hit the stretch run:

On This Episode:

  • A recap of the Orlando Magic’s horrible offensive effort against the Boston Celtics
  • What could the Orlando Magic get for Nikola Vucevic in a trade this year?
  • What can the Orlando Magic do in free agency this summer and how do they resolve their point guard situation?
  • Why winning one game is not surprising… and the Magic’s struggle are about winning that second game.
  • Figuring out the future and why Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac are all that is left to watch this year.
  • What can the small sample sizes of Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac playing together tell us?
  • Could the Orlando Magic sign and trade Aaron Gordon this summer?
  • What point guard options are available to the Orlando Magic in the second round and in the Draft?

Next: Orlando Magic don't have much cap room

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.