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Lakeland Magic’s season ends with defeat to Erie Bayhawks

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ERIE, PA - MARCH 31: Andrew White III #4 of the Erie BayHawks handles the ball against the Lakeland Magic during Round One of the NBA G-League playoffs on March 31, 2018 at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, PA. 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 Robert Frank/NBAE via Getty Images)
ERIE, PA - MARCH 31: Andrew White III #4 of the Erie BayHawks handles the ball against the Lakeland Magic during Round One of the NBA G-League playoffs on March 31, 2018 at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, PA. 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 Robert Frank/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Lakeland Magic’s season ended with a Playoff defeat to the Erie Bayhawks. But it was a season of success for the Orlando Magic’s G-League affiliate.

The Lakeland Magic’s inaugural season came to an end with a 96-90 defeat to the Erie Bayhawks in Pennsylvania on Saturday in the first round of the G-League Playoffs.

The Magic fell behind by as much as 23 points int he first half and had to fight to get back into the game. In the offensive-minded league, the Magic struggled to hit shots. They made just 39 percent of their shots and 9 for 34 from beyond the arc.

Troy Caupain led the team with 26 points and Byron Mullens had 20 to lead the way for Lakeland.

The Magic were able to cut the lead heading into the fourth quarter, trailing by just six points. But Lakeland never was able to overtake Erie. In the single elimination play-in game, this was the worst time to lay an offensive dud.

Perhaps that should have been expected. Despite Mullens’ injection of life into the team and Caupain’s consistent play throughout the season, the Lakeland Magic were extremely undermanned. Leading scorer Rodney Purvis had received a contract with the parent club, the Orlando Magic, for the rest of the year. And two-way stalwart Jamel Artis is also finishing the year with the parent club.

The team that played in the Playoff game was not the team that made the Playoffs by any stretch. But that is life in the G-League. Their purpose is to win games when they can, but also to help develop players for the Orlando Magic.

If that is the standard by which the Lakeland Magic should be judged, then they succeeded on both fronts.

The team Lakeland started the year with had a gifted scorer in Rodney Purvis who eventually made his way to the NBA. Purvis averaged 20.5 points per game as the team’s top offensive option. The mixture of his shooting and scoring ability eventually got him a 10-day tryout with the Orlando Magic and finally a two-year deal.

The Orlando Magic also parked center Khem Birch in the G-League at the start of the year. Khem Birch dominated inside as a defensive force. He showed off the advance defensive understanding that would make him a fan favorite on the main roster. He averaged 14.0 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. The G-League certainly helped Birch refine his skills.

But there were plenty of other stalwarts for Lakeland who put in good work without much prospect of reaching the Magic.

Caupain played largely outside his comfort zone at point guard all year and thrived for the Magic. He finished averaging 15.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. As the Orlando Magic were considering adding a player off the Lakeland roster following the Elfrid Payton trade, Troy Caupain’s name had to be one they seriously considered.

The fact Caupain seriously grew into his role as the team’s point guard and then took on the mantle of leading scorer midway through the season was extremely encouraging for his development.

Other players like T.J. Price and John Petrucelli grew as the season went on and Lakeland’s ranks became thinner. The two helped replace Purvis’ production when he left the team.

The run to the Playoffs though deserves credit to the coaching staff led by Stan Heath and general manager Anthony Parker.

The Magic added veterans Byron Mullens and Alan Anderson to the roster late in the season. Both proved critical in Lakeland winning eight of its final nine games to make the Playoffs on the last day of the season.

If there is hope for the parent club, which has languished at the bottom of the standings, it is that the philosophies that built the Lakeland Magic worked. Maybe that provides some solace, maybe that does not.

On every front, it seems the Lakeland Magic was a success. It is hard to argue with a Playoff berth in the first season as anything but that.

Considering the constant roster upheavals, the fact the team rallied to make the Playoffs was a positive sign.

The Orlando Magic themselves got a lot out of Lakeland too. It served that role, helping develop Khem Birch. It gave them a place to play Jonathan Isaac when he needed a rehab start.

The Magic graciously allowed several of those key players on the main roster to head back down and ensure their playoff future. Playing in meaningful games again certainly was a nice refresh as they went through the grind of the NBA season. Rodney Purvis, Jamel Artis and Khem Birch all thrived in that game, contributing to the important victory in the penultimate game.

The G-League is change. Many of the players on the Lakeland Magic this year will not be there next year. Parker and his staff likely will have to put together a completely new roster — or mostly new roster. Some players will get called up, others will go play elsewhere.

Next: Rumors: Orlando Magic wearing classic jerseys next year

The Lakeland Magic will be disappointed by Saturday’s result. Everyone wants to advance and win. But the season for the Magic was a successful one in every way.