Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

2019 Orlando Magic Season Review: 5 questions for the Orlando Magic’s offseason

By Philip Rossman-Reich

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 28: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 28: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Evan Fournier, Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 07: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic and Evan Fournier #10 celebrate after defeating the Boston Celtics 116-108 at TD Garden on April 07, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic finished a fantastic season with a disappointing playoff finish. To repeat those successes, they will have to answer some big questions.

The Orlando Magic’s season ended with a bit of a whimper. The Toronto Raptors completely dismantled the Magic and did what experienced, title-contending teams do. They found a weakness and picked it apart all the while adjusting on offense to every wrinkle the team threw at them.

The playoff run was both an achievement and a reminder for this team.

After six years out of the playoffs, the Magic returned thanks to a spirited team effort and defensive mentality. Orlando built a solid foundation for their young group to build upon. The Magic re-engaged their fans and brought excitement back to Orlando for their basketball team.

But the playoffs were also a stark reminder of how much further the team has to go to make it back to true relevancy and not just a mere cameo in the postseason.

The Raptors finished with the second-best record in the league. It is not surprising they won the series — or even won it in a quick five games. What was surprising was how quickly Toronto was able to break down and disrupt everything Orlando did. The Magic struggled to get into their basic sets.

Even after the surprise 42-40 season, the team has a lot it needs to work on. Even just to get back to this point and beyond.

No one will deny Orlando had good injury luck. Honestly, the injury to Mohamed Bamba was a turning point in the season that got Khem Birch on the floor more and bolstered the consistency off the bench. Credit the Magic too for plucking Michael Carter-Williams out of obscurity to replace the injured Isaiah Briscoe.

But the playoffs exposed a lot of flaws on the team too. The Magic lack a clear go-to option on the perimeter and someone who can get into the paint consistently. And their promising young players are not quite ready for the big stage and pressure of the playoffs.

To many, making the playoffs this year was the team ahead of schedule. Sure, it was possible the Magic could rally to the playoffs, but nobody saw the team taking on this kind of a clear identity and making the push they did.

It is safe to say expectations within Orlando is much different today than it was before the season.

But the future is also still uncertain. There are big free agent decisions to make to keep this team together while also building for the future. And young players have to continue getting better.

If Orlando wants to turn this playoff berth into momentum for the next season, the team will have a lot of work to do. It is one thing to make the playoffs once, it is another to keep getting better.

Success creates pressure. And Jeff Weltman has a lot of pressure to face and questions to answer as the offseason begins.