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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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Steve Clifford, Mohamed Bamba, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 17: Mohamed Bamba #5 and Head Coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic look on during the game against the Miami Heat on October 17, 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 Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What do you want to see from the Orlando Magic in the first quarter of the season?

Burnley: Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac taking shots and starting to take the keys to the offense from Nikola Vucevic. Even if Vucevic is on the Orlando Magic next year, which seems doubtful, he will likely be relegated to a bench role. That may even happen this year if Steve Clifford decides Mohamed Bamba is starter ready. Taking some shots away from Vucevic is going to be crucial for the Magic’s development.

Racine: I want to see the Orlando Magic win. I want to see them develop an identity. I want to see them utilize the most of their players’ talents. So often players underperform in Orlando. I want to see that narrative start to change. The fans are tired of losing and I am sure the players are as well. It is time for the Magic to start winning games.

Rossman-Reich: I want to see the team begin to establish an identity. The record is less important than having a calling card of sorts. If the Magic can establish themselves as the kind of defensive team Steve Clifford teams are known for, then they will be headed in the right direction. That seems to be the direction the team was going. It certainly looked like that against the Miami Heat in the opener. So the Magic really have to accomplish laying the roots not only for who the team is going to be this season but who the team wants to be in the future.

Henderson: I just want to see the Magic look as if they are interested in competing every night whether they are playing the Golden State Warriors or the Atlanta Hawks. I want to see them take it personally that they have not been to the Playoffs since Dwight Howard left in 2012. I want Aaron Gordon to look like a new version of Shawn Kemp and I want to see Mohamed Bamba look like the new version of Dikembe Mutombo. I want Steve Clifford to give Jonathan Isaac every opportunity to run the baseline so he can take advantage of his athleticism, speed and quickness.

Palmer: I am interested in seeing how Jonathan Isaac develops. I think Isaac will be key to Orlando’s defensive improvement. If Isaac continues to prove that he can be a disruptive defensive force then the Magic will carve out the defensive first identity that it has been searching for.