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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Picking up the pieces

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 16: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Boston Celtics on March 16, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 16: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Boston Celtics on March 16, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 15: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers reacts to a fourth quarter three point basket while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Indiana won the game 98-80 to take a 1-0 series lead. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

What should Orlando Magic fans be watching in the Playoffs?

Racine: Orlando Magic fans should be watching Victor Oladipo ball in the playoffs. He is one of own and still has a lot of love for Central Florida. Perhaps later on in his career, he can come back. Also, Magic fans should be watching the Philadelphia 76ers, a team built through the draft. Maybe the Magic are one draft pick and one key free agent acquisition from completing its process.

Rossman-Reich: A lot of Orlando Magic fans are probably watching the Philadelphia 76ers and lamenting they did not copy that rebuild or what they did. But I would look to the Utah Jazz. Utah has done nothing but build the kind of stable and ongoing culture to win even when they lost their star. They have a coach who has gotten the most of his players and they have mined the draft successfully for players that fit their culture. The Jazz’s success is a model of sustained success that other teams should try to emulate. And that is what I think the Magic should be looking to model. They never “tanked” or were made worse to get better. They simply made good decisions.

Palmer: I would say go ahead and look at the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Listen Magic fans, if the Magic do end up turning it around and rebuilding properly this time around the 76ers and Celtics will be the Magic’s rivals in the East. The Celtics and 76ers figure to be major power players in the East for years to come. Take in what the enemy is doing and get yourself prepared for some Mortal Kombat a few years down the road.

Scricca: Look at what teams, players and lineups are successful in the modern postseason. The best of the best are versatile, mobile, switchable, execute well on both ends, share the ball and can space the floor. Plodding big men like Hassan Whiteside get played off the floor. That is the kind of team you should want the Magic to become and the kind of player into whom you should want them to avoid investing serious capital.

Next: Divergent Process: The Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers

What do you think? Give us your answers to our roundtable questions in the comments below or on Twitter @omagicdaily.