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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: What’s next or just wait until the trade deadline

By Philip Rossman-Reich

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Orlando Magic Guard Evan Fournier (10) looks to make a pass during a NBA game between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 6, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Orlando Magic Guard Evan Fournier (10) looks to make a pass during a NBA game between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers on January 6, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 25: Orlando Magic Center Nikola Vucevic (9) bring the ball up the court during the Orlando Magic against Los Angeles Lakers NBA game on November 25, 2018, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire) /

At the midpoint of the season, what has surprised you most about the Orlando Magic? Which player has surprised you the most?

Rossman-Reich: I am really surprised at how good the team’s defense has been. I figured Steve Clifford would make defense a real focus for the team and we would see a little bump. But it is slowly becoming the team’s identity.

For sure, the Magic still have a very narrow margin of error and they can revert back to their bad habits very quickly. But the Magic are largely a good defensive team. Their offense is a far bigger problem.

Nikola Vucevic is a central part of that defense. But Aaron Gordon has surprised me the most. He has grown and expanded his game in a way that none of us expected him to. It has been impressive to see him take on the defensive responsibilities he has and grown other parts of his game. It shows incredible maturity to be this impactful without focusing on scoring.

Palmer: I think my answer to both of these questions is Nikola Vucevic. My stance on Vucevic is fairly well known but he has been an absolute monster this year. His offense is far better than it ever has been. His defense has improved significantly. Although there are still issues.

Nikola Vucevic has carried this team through the offensive system Steve Clifford has built around him. I do not know if it will benefit the Magic long term but it certainly has paid dividends this season.

Racine: What has surprised me the most is Nikola Vucevic is having an All-Star season. Every game out he is the go-to guy. I expected Aaron Gordon to play that role and take over the team. But in Vucevic’s eighth season in the league, he has taken his game to new heights.