Still Room To Grow
It should be obvious from all this that despite the Orlando Magic’s strong showing in the preseason, there is still some work to do to sharpen and fine-tune things heading into the regular season. The Magic have looked better because of their familiarity, but there is still work to do.
Orlando has to be more efficient and better in transition. That is the biggest thing to fix offensively. The Magic have more movement in the half-court, and the team has to play quickly but with patience.
It will take patience to see everything come together too.
Much of the focus for the Magic is on their young players and how they develop. They are clearly a big part of the future and the team’s focus.
The returns have been solid as Mohamed Bamba has had a solid preseason, averaging 11.7 points per game. He has looked good running end to end and hitting 3-pointers off pick and pops and trails in transition. His defense has looked better as his added weight and strength have been solid.
Markelle Fultz has taken up a lot of focus. But he has been extremely impressive too.
His defense and playmaking are as advertised or better. He has done a good job getting into the lane and kicking out after the defense collapses around him. This is a promising development for him.
Both players still have to continue improving and getting better. They both still have to be more consistent as shooters and working in traffic. Fultz especially has yet to hit a shot outside the paint. It is not that he is uncomfortable taking those shots, it is just that he has taken the space given to him to drive.
The Magic have seen improvement from Jonathan Isaac too. Isaac has been better on the ball and off the dribble. But he has yet to assert himself and his shot has been inconsistent — better, but inconsistent.
Orlando will still want to see these players develop. But nobody there appears ready to take on a significantly larger role or dislodge anyone ahead of them on the depth chart.
Much of the formula for the Magic remains the same in that regard.