Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Christmas Lessons

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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic, Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks

MILWUAKEE, WI – OCTOBER 27: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 27, 2018 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What is the biggest thing we have learned from the Orlando Magic through the first 30 games?

John Black (@JohnLennyBlack): Orlando is competitive. They have a real shot at making the playoffs if they stay healthy.

Philip Rossman-Reich (@philiprr_omd): We have seen the Orlando Magic be more resilient than ever before (at least in the rebuild). They are winning ugly and finding ways to eke out victories. That is even with a poor statistical profile and plenty of flaws. There is something to finding ways to win. That is an innate quality that helps a team. The Magic still have a lot to learn. There is reason to be cautiously optimistic. But it is probably not time to go all in. At least the Magic have raised expectations around the team.

Zach Palmer (@FmrTankCommandr): The biggest thing that I have seen from the team so far is that Steve Clifford clearly has guys buying into their roles. For better or worse, Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier are the go-to guys for Orlando offensively. In Evan Fournier’s case, it seems to have led to some substandard offensive play, but his defense is definitely the best it has been in his career. Aaron Gordon seems to have taken to his role as a defense-first player. Though, Steve Clifford has mentioned that he would love to get Aaron Gordon more looks on offense. Buying into roles is the first step into forming a cohesive identity and the results have been more positive than not.

Jean Racine (@realjeanracine): We have learned the Orlando Magic have a legitimate shot at the Playoffs. Orlando plays a good brand of team basketball. The Magic are solid on both offense and defense. So far, their shortcoming has been on offense. Often times, the Magic struggle to get anything going offensively.