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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: The preseason matters, except when it doesn’t

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jonathan Isaac has built confidence as a strong defender. Now confidence has to come from his newfound strength and on offense. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jonathan Isaac has built confidence as a strong defender. Now confidence has to come from his newfound strength and on offense. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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D.J. Augustin, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 6: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Amway Center on February 6, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers 116 to 98. 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 Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

What is the biggest concern for the Orlando Magic entering the season?

Burnley: Probably Jonathan Isaac’s health. There is not a lot riding on this season besides development, so hopefully Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba play big minutes. Coach Steve Clifford did not allocate many minutes to Malik Monk, the Charlotte Hornets’ rookie from last year, so we have yet to see what kind of playing time Mohamed Bamba will get.

Racine: The biggest concern for the Orlando Magic opening up the season is the starting point guard position. Can D.J. Augustin will hold up as the starting point guard for an entire 82-game season. The point guard position is the Magic’s weakest position. Neither D.J. Augustin nor Jerian Grant separated themselves in the preseason. D.J. Augustin is the Magic’s default starter because Jerian Grant did not display the shooting or the playmaking the team needs in the starting lineup.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Rossman-Reich: It is still the offense for me. There are just not a lot of shooters and a lot of guys who are unproven as far as playmakers and creators. It is hard to see how the Orlando Magic are going to generate consistent good looks. There are going to be stretches where the Magic just flat-out struggle to score. And where is the offense going to come? Aaron Gordon looks like a good bet to lift those rising tides. But that part is not clear yet (even after his strong opening night game). The team is going to rely on its defense to create some offensive opportunities. But if things bog down, the Magic’s offense could get really ugly.

Henderson: The biggest concern for me is the logjam at center with Nikola Vucevic and Mohamed Bamba. Bamba is clearly the best option for the future at center in Orlando. If the Magic were Playoff contenders, I would say start Vucevic. But they are not and Mohamed Bamba, Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon need as much time as they can together. Especially if this Notorious B-I-G era is going to net any future Playoff victories. The Magic made so much noise the last few years about how the team needs an elite rim protector and how Vucevic needs to develop this skill. Now they are complacent about giving the elite rim protector invaluable minutes because of Vucevic.

Palmer: The biggest concern for this team is once again the offense. We say this year after year and then the defense is bad in addition to the offense. But I truly believe Steve Clifford’s culture of accountability will actually provide results on defense for the Magic. I honestly just do not know what the team can do with the current players they have to create an effective offense.