Pace Adds Element of Chaos
One of Steve Clifford’s goals for the Orlando Magic’s offense has been to increase the team’s pace. He believes that if the team can get more transition opportunities, they will be able to score more and take advantage of their athleticism on the wings.
That is a statement that is a long time coming. And with the team’s comfort defensively, it seems Clifford is willing to give the team a bit more freedom to trap and use their length to create turnovers. From there the team can get out in transition more.
The Magic have been a lot better at forcing turnovers and creating fast-break opportunities. There is a noticeable uptick in the team’s pace and willingness to run the ball.
Everyone outside of Nikola Vucevic, Mohamed Bamba and the other centers have the freedom to take a rebound and turn up the court. Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon have routinely led fast breaks.
Both players have shown more poise on the ball. Isaac, especially, has looked better on the ball with a tighter handle and able to get into traffic.
The Sixer Sense
Michael Carter-Williams and Markelle Fultz also prefer to play at a quicker pace and they have been willing to get downhill and head toward the basket. This has all seemingly benefited the Magic greatly.
This little bit of chaos is a good thing. The Magic need some unpredictability on offense. One of the reasons the Magic ended up No. 20 in Zach Lowe’s League Pass rankings is because of their predictability on offense (and how kind of bland and consistent their players can be).
But there is still an element of chaos that needs some control. Orlando is still improving as a fast-break team.
The Magic are not about to run at a breakneck pace or run when the opportunity is not there. Clifford is still a fairly conservative coach — especially defensively. He does not want players getting too far out of position to go for steals.
This is the balance the Magic are still trying to strike this preseason. There have been times where the team has looked ragged offensively, throwing the ball toward the rim or forcing shots that are not there in transition.
Then there are the times the defense is trying too hard to create turnovers and get out of position. That has happened a few times. Orlando should feel comfortable it can create turnovers with its usual schemes.
Learning how and when to run is still a work in progress.