The Orlando Magic hope to build some wins in the 2019 season. But the real key to the season is the development of the team’s B-I-G lineup.
The NBA preseason starts in roughly 1 month and Orlando Magic fans are asking themselves: “What should I expect this season? What defines a successful season for the Magic?”
Questions like this arise after a season where Aaron Gordon showed his potential in a breakout season. Arise after an offseason where Jonathan Isaac has personified work ethic and showed significant growth physically in Summer League. And arise after an offseason where rookie Mohamed Bamba has made it clear Orlando is where he wants to carry out a Hall of Fame career.
The team did not change very much in the offseason. There are not a lot of new faces outside of Jonathan Isaac’s return from injury and Mohamed Bamba’s arrival through the Draft. Adding new coach Steve Clifford certainly hopes to change some things. But this was a 25-win team after all. It will take a lot of growth for the team to take the next step.
Even with the aforementioned positives, it is important to temper expectations and understand where the Magic are in their rebuild. More importantly, it is important to understand what the Magic need to achieve this year to keep progressing in their rebuild.
Orlando would certainly not object to winning and making a surprise Playoff push. But more realistically, the Magic will measure success with something other than wins and losses.
First, Aaron Gordon needs to continue his growth.
Gordon started the 2018 season shooting the lights out from 3, making 40.1 percent of his 3-pointers in his first 25 games through the beginning of December. He then cooled after injuries derailed the momentum he had to start the season.
Gordon finished the last 25 games making just 31.6 percent of his 3-pointers in his last 19 games. He finished the year shooting a still-career-high 33.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Still, Gordon scored a career-best 17.6 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game. It was a breakout year despite his inconsistent shooting. A good sign of what Gordon could do.
The Magic front office validated Gordon’s overall improvements signing him to a four-year, $76-million deal.
Gordon now needs to continue to show growth with consistent shooting and establishing himself on the defensive end of the floor. Clifford, who helped build the Magic’s defense during the team’s run to the NBA Finals nearly a decade ago, will help Gordon develop defensively.
A measuring stick for Gordon’s success will be making his first All-Star appearance. Something that seems in range if he can turn individual growth into team success.
Second, Jonathan Isaac must establish himself as a scorer.
During the NBA Summer League, it was made clear Magic leadership wants Isaac to be more aggressive offensively.
Isaac’s rookie campaign was plagued with injuries, so Magic fans were never able to see Isaac’s potential in long spurts. But it is there.
Isaac last year averaged a paltry 5.4 points per game and shot a 43.4 percent effective field goal percentage. Orlando knew it would take Isaac some time to develop offensively. And the injuries disrupted his rhythm. He never really got it back.
During Summer League, Isaac averaged 14.3 points per game. He still struggled to shoot — making just 35 percent of his shots. But he was ont he ball a whole lot more and seemed more comfortable as a scorer. It was a good sign. But Isaac still has a long way to go to develop.
Magic fans will be able to feel good if Isaac is able to play 70-plus games, show his ability to shoot from all over the floor and, of course, display the defensive capabilities we saw in Summer League.
Third, the Magic will have a successful season if Bamba can find become a significant part of the team’s rotation.
Entering this season, the Magic have four centers on their roster, including veteran Nikola Vucevic. In the final year of his contract, Nikola Vucevic is sure to be part of trade rumors throughout the season.
Bamba’s development is crucial in the Magic’s future success. After the previous front office seemingly botched the development of Victor Oladipo, Mario Hezonja and Elfrid Payton, there is a collective gasp amongst Magic fans waiting to see if the team can get this project right — along with Jonathan Isaac.
But Bamba has given himself high expectations. He is a supremely confident player who has put in a lot of work this offseason to prepare for the Draft and the NBA, adding several new skills to his game.
Along with Bamba’s self-imposed high-expectations, is his work ethic, character and natural physical tools make him a promising young player.
It is just not clear yet how much he will be able to contribute immediately. His 7-foot-10 wingspan certainly will have an immediate impact. But even with some added strength, his slight frame could impede his immediate contributions. Orlando seems to be signaling they will develop him slowly during his rookie year.
There is no doubt that when the Magic front office said they were elated Bamba fell to them at No. 6, it is not lip service. Bamba has shown his ability to shoot, play defense and rebound over the course of the summer. He averaged 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game with 2.30 blocks per game during Summer League.
It will be up to Clifford and his staff to provide Bamba the tools and opportunities to develop as a player.
In order for the Magic to continue redefining the culture in the organization, they need to take the second step.
Last year, the first step was Gordon’s significant growth and Isaac showing his ability during limited play. The front office approach of focusing on “high-character” players is working. It is helping change the tone in Orlando along with the flashes of ability on the floor.
Now, Bamba needs to build upon what Gordon and Isaac started to create last year.
Accompany this with the front office’s approach to drafting and player movement, the Magic will be back in the playoff picture sooner rather than later, eventually with championship aspirations.