5 adjustments the Orlando Magic must make to get their first win

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 06: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on December 06, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

5 adjustments the Orlando Magic must make to get their first win

Preach Accountability

The Orlando Magic entered the season preaching accountability. They want to hold each other to a higher standard and work quickly to correct mistakes.

That may also lead to the coaches holding players accountable.

The Magic are still a rebuilding team. They need to give young players some latitude to make mistakes and learn from them. But if they are focused on winning more and doing winning things, that might also mean pulling playing time from players who are making repeated mistakes or are underperforming.

The Magic’s problem in using playing time as a carrot right now is twofold.

First, the team is so injured, that it almost has to play everyone. Being down Moe Wagner means the Magic do not have a third center and need to rely on the struggling Mo Bamba. Being down Jalen Suggs and Markelle Fultz means the Magic have to fill in the backup point guard minutes with someone not used to playing point guard.

And so on.

The second issue is the same as described in the previous slide. The Magic have been throwing a lot of things against the wall. Everyone has gotten a chance to play. And it seems like there is a plan for things the team wants to experiment with and they go into each game doing those things rather than playing the feel of the game (again, at least in the first half).

The lack of consistent playing time and the constant shuffling of lineups has to effect everyone and their rhythm.

At some point, Orlando needs to find stability and settle in on a more set rotation. That may not come until players return from injury. The Magic are missing at least two starter-level players and a young player the Magic are willing to start and then another high-level player who has been out for two years.

But there is no timetable for their returns and no waiting for them. These games count. And the Magic have to start practicing the accountability they preach. If players are not performing, they need to have their roles changed or adjusted or they just simply need not play.

Orlando has talked a big game throughout training camp and the offseason about taking some next steps. Unfortunately, it does not feel like the team has quite lived up to that promise to this point.

Players who are struggling and draining their lineups are playing and the team seems more interested in experimenting and testing parts of the lineup and players through these injuries rather than setting the team up to win.