Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 31: Waiting on the team to change

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 06: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic contests a shot from Semaj Christon #6 of the Brooklyn Nets during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Magic defeated the Nets 84-80. 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 Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

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I am still a bit hesitant to anoint Jerian Grant as part of the team’s overall future. I think the Magic were looking to relieve some pressure off the center position and took anything of value they could get for Bismack Biyombo. Timofey Mozgov is another center (and is paid slightly less than Bismack Biyombo). But Jerian Grant is certainly something of value.

Having said that, Grant is certainly of the type the Magic are looking for. And to put things shortly, yes, I think this is the direction the Magic want to go. They want players who have above-average size at each position to make it harder for other teams to operate.

Think of how the Boston Celtics were able to defend the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers and how the Houston Rockets helped force the Golden State Warriors into isolation-heavy basketball.

Both those teams simply switched almost every screen and closed down any advantage they might create. It became a series of one-on-one battles. Kevin Durant and LeBron James will win most of those battles. But they are better than the alternative.

Orlando is thinking the same thing here. Grab a lot of long-limbed, defensive-minded players who can close down passing lanes, recover quickly, turn drivers away frrom the lane and disrupt offenses. No matter who they are guarding.

The Magic will have to find some balance and develop some guys who can score. But, yes, at some point we will likely see this kind of a “death lineup” featuring Jerian Grant, Terrence Ross, Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba. That is a tough defensive lineup to crack, even if it still lacks some shooting.

That lineup is probably the direction the team ultimately wants to go.

Like I said earlier though, take everything this year as the beginnings of what the team will ultimately become. Orlando is going to experiment with everything to see what works. And then slowly begin moving toward that direction as the team adds more pieces at the trade deadline and beyond.