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Orlando Magic Playbook: Protecting the middle is key to Orlando Magic’s defense

By Philip Rossman-Reich

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 12: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards dribbles past Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic during the second half at Capital One Arena on November 12, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 12: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards dribbles past Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic during the second half at Capital One Arena on November 12, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic, Allonzo Trier, New York Knicks
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 26: Allonzo Trier #14 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic during the second half of the game at Madison Square Garden on February 26, 2019 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Still about basics

All these fancy schemes help to cover the team’s weaknesses up and the Orlando Magic, despite their success, are far from perfect in executing them. Even in the clips above, you can start to pick apart weaknesses teams might be able to exploit when it gets to the playoffs.

The issue with this strongside zone defense is that it forces the team to scramble back when a team is able to reverse the ball to the weakside quickly. Orlando is left trying to catch up. Their length and athleticism helps in that regard but it is still something a team can gameplan against when they have time to focus.

But things still come down to stopping your individual man. Keeping a player from getting to the middle or back to his strong hand is about individual defense at the end of the day.

When a team is able to get to the middle against this team, it is likely because the perimeter player guarding him was unable to navigate through the screen well enough to disrupt the play and left Nikola Vucevic (most likely) too far back to stop dribble penetration.

It is easy — and happens more often than the stats might suggest — to see the Magic fall into their defensive shortcomings and get taken advantage of. Without intense focus and physicality, the Orlando Magic can play poor defense — see that game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Like everywhere else, Orlando’s margin for error is small.

To be successful defensively, the Magic have to rebound the ball well (they rank fourth in defensive rebound rate), limit fast-break opportunities (ninth in opponent fast-break points) and keep players from the middle of the floor.

Orlando can and has let all three of these slip at various points even after the All-Star Break. They still have a tendency to overhelp and leave their man and several players roam a bit with the zone schemes.

Maintaining this level of defense takes immense focus. That is probably true of all defensive plays.

Then again, things still come down to making strong defensive plays in big moments. The Orlando Magic’s game against the Miami Heat turned on a pair of blocks and great individual plays:

And it still comes down at the end of the day at stopping and contesting your individual man. Individual defense is still what wins the day in the end.

Orlando has some gifted individual defenders. Aaron Gordon’s work on Dwyane Wade in the fourth quarter — along with the help he got from Evan Fournier and Jonathan Isaac — was a bit part of the win. And the blocks fro Jonathan Isaac (above) and Terrence Ross changed the game.

Next. Orlando Magic rise to the playoff moment. dark

Orlando has laid a solid defensive foundation this year. Their success is undeniable. And this strategy and their execution of it is the most vital part to the Magic making a playoff run.