Orlando Magic Playbook: A first look at the Orlando Magic’s offense

Play Calls

Steve Clifford also mixed in design sets with an explicit play call.

This action, called “Thumbs Down,” features a high pick-and-roll at the top of the key with the three other players flat on the baseline for spacing. Cole Anthony uses the space to let his 3-pointer fly, one of his few misses from outside in preseason play.

The other design play that is sure to be a crowd favorite is the “One” series, which features an initial option to find a teammate extended on the perimeter for a back-door cut and easy look near the basket.

Both Terrence Ross and Aaron Gordon have been featured in this set, with a particular highlight reel connection between Chuma Okeke and Terrence Ross coming in the first matchup against the Charlotte Hornets:

The play works so well because of the initial misdirection. “One” begins with the same “Horns” alignment, in this case with Chuma Okeke and Khem Birch at the top of the key.

But, instead of Anthony coming off the screen, the action is inverted with Okeke becoming the lead ball handler. Ross times his cut perfectly, switching from a bystander to finisher in a split second.