Steve Clifford’s biggest task remains changing Orlando Magic’s frustrating culture

The Orlando Magic once again look like the same hapless inconsistent team. Steve Clifford’s biggest task is changing just that.

Coach Steve Clifford was trying to strike two very different cords following the Orlando Magic’s disheartening 120-95 loss to the LA Clippers on Friday.

On one hand, there was the clear message that his team’s effort in the game was not enough. On that, no one could disagree.

A Clippers team on a difficult back-to-back outhustled the Magic throughout the entire game. Orlando already playing with a small margin for error simply cannot afford that to happen. The energy alone was enough to build a lead and the poor execution only compounded it.

The Magic have already suffered some major defeats this year. A 30-point home blowout to the Charlotte Hornets in the second game of the season reminded of the previous frustrations of years past. Somehow, Friday’s loss to the Clippers felt worse despite a much friendlier scoreline.

Clifford said the loss to the Clippers was the first time this season he felt the Magic did not play with purpose. He said the team lacked effort and togetherness, failing to move the ball effectively at all.

This is the low point of the early season.

On the other hand, Clifford still has to instill confidence in his team.

This is just eight games into an 82-game season after all. As Clifford pointed out before the game, the team’s shot quality was good and suggested the team should have a much better record. And in more real terms, the Magic are only 1.5 games out of the eighth seed in the Playoffs.

Oh, the joys of the Eastern Conference.

There are major issues with the Magic — the anemic offense, missed open shots and inconsistent defensive effort chief among them — but they are not things Clifford feels the Magic cannot fix. Orlando has shown potential offensively to score points outside of their uncharacteristic string of missed shots. And their defense has looked dominant for long stretches in the team’s two wins.

There is still that unmistakable whiff of frustration in the air. At least among the fans.

Twitter mentions and discussions about the Magic have fallen to familiar tropes. The “here we go again” thoughts of a franchise that has lost direction and still has no clear path forward.

The familiar calls to trade longtime stalwarts Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier are getting louder — even if they remain the players everyone thought they were entering the season. Frustrations over Jonathan Isaac‘s random but increasingly recurring ankle injuries are picking up steam. And, worst of all, no one sees a product on the floor worth investing in.

It is easier to say the future looks darker than ever. There is little joy in watching this team as they try to figure things out under a new coach.

That this familiar tune is playing again for this franchise. This is the same story of the past six years. A different coach, the same players and the same frustrating result.

Clifford is not giving up. He refuses to believe that the problem is some deeply embedded problem with the same players. He is keeping the faith as anyone should this early in the season.

"“Basketball is like anything else,” Clifford said. “This is actually what I feel good about our team. If you study leadership or culture or groups, it’s about the people. Successful companies that sustain excellence, whatever your catchword is — culture or environment. It’s never about what you say, it’s always about the people. I think we do have guys who badly want to win. I think there has been some tough times here. We have guys who have been through that. Part of the thing that has to happen so we can have success is we have to change in regards to every night readiness. Maybe that’s going to be harder than I thought.”"

Clifford said he does not buy into the notion the team is somehow scarred by its years of losing. There is still plenty of belief in the people in this team. The team is what the current group makes of it, not the results of years past.

Players on the team have professed a desire to change, of course. That was the rallying cry before the season. No one should question whether longtime players like Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon want to win.

As Clifford hints at, while still backing his guys is the belief that they are still learning the preparation and attention to detail it takes to win. Something that has been inconsistent to say the least so far this season, cratering Friday against the Clippers. And all three of those young leaders are still learning all of this too while setting an inconsistent example.

It is fair to ask why a team that has accomplished nothing is unable to play with focus and glomming on to every word of their coach. Much less playing with a basic level of energy and effort each night.

These are questions the Magic have asked for years now.

Clifford’s biggest task is to change all these narratives. Yes, the team should have a goal for making the Playoffs. It is too veteran a team to not view winning as a short-term goal. But the larger goal is to build a culture and a foundation for the next few years under Clifford.

The Magic have plenty to work with to be more competitive.

Orlando Magic

But of course, Orlando needs to change in the long-term. That much has been evident. But it is not coming any time soon.

The Magic have to work with what they have for now. Management did not find a way to churn the roster to benefit the long-term future of the team so they are trying to find a spark within.

That might be asking a lot. Expectations outside of Orlando are low for the team. Expectations inside Orlando are probably a bit lower too. Everyone seems to view this as a redevelopment year as Jeff Weltman tries to put his stamp on this team.

But the start of it all lies with Clifford. He is right. It is his responsibility to get the team ready for each game and put them in position to succeed. He may not want to recognize that some rot exists within this franchise — wholly among players and fans who feel these familiar refrains beginning again — but it is there.

Clifford’s fresh voice has to rise above it. He has to find a way to change and shift the culture. He must create the belief of better days ahead. That is the main goal for the season.

That is the biggest and most difficult process the Magic have to accomplish this year. So far this season, it is proving a tougher task than he anticipated. And that leaves the Magic dealing with much of the same.