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Orlando Magic can learn lessons from Eastern Conference’s previous 7-seeds

By Philip Rossman-Reich

The Orlando Magic's arrival in the playoffs was a big step forward. Their next step will depend on internal development and organizational culture. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic's arrival in the playoffs was a big step forward. Their next step will depend on internal development and organizational culture. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s rise to MVP started with a struggle to make the playoffs consistently. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2018: Milwaukee Bucks (44-38)

2019: 1st Eastern Conference (60-22)

The Milwaukee Bucks are proof that a team can grow and build from the lower seeds suddenly into a title contender.

The Bucks had been a middling team for several years heading into the 2018 season. Everyone sensed the inevitability of Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s rise into the MVP conversation. He was such a special talent. But the team struggled to coalesce into something consistent.

Milwaukee did not have the right role players and Jabari Parker struggled to stay healthy. They lost their 2017 season with Parker’s torn ACL. Milwaukee could not recover.

In 2018, Antetokounmpo proved without a doubt he could be a starring player. His 26.9 points per game firmly signaled his talent was beginning to burst. And Milwaukee made a nice power play to acquire Eric Bledsoe.

But it was not merely Antetokounmpo who pushed the Bucks to the top of the Eastern Conference last year and into title contention. The firing of Jason Kidd, who never seemed to click as a head coach with this team, and hiring Mike Budenholzer paid off huge dividends.

Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks /

Milwaukee Bucks

Budenholzer’s five-out schemes gave Antetokounmpo more space to attack downhill and increase his passing opportunities. Budenholzer is a big reason for Antetokounmpo getting into position to be the MVP so suddenly.

Milwaukee is a clear-cut title contender entering the 2020 season. Their loss in the Eastern Conference Finals, and returning much the same roster, should be a lesson for this team.

The Magic this summer obviously are not changing their coach. Steve Clifford is their guy and has done a good job building a foundation.

In this way, the Magic are more similar to the Bucks’ 2015 team.

That team finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with a younger Antetokounmpo. The team responded well to Kidd’s arrival and the defensive discipline he brought with him. But they struggled to make the playoffs the next year and remained a lower seed until that coaching change.

That might be a path the Magic are walking now.

Of course, it is hard to compare. Unless Jonathan Isaac or Aaron Gordon take a monumental leap, the Magic do not have a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo to bet on their growth.