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3 thoughts on the Orlando Magic’s humbling homestand

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Wendell Carter Jr. #34, Caleb Houstan #2, Terrence Ross #31, and Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic talk after a foul in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center on November 09, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Wendell Carter Jr. #34, Caleb Houstan #2, Terrence Ross #31, and Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic talk after a foul in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center on November 09, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Terrence Ross of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball over Luka Doncic and Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

2. Is their identity actually shifting?

Despite some tepid home performances, good news comes in the form of the Magic’s offensive rating.

During the seven-game homestand they ranked sixth in the entire league (114.8 points per 100 possessions). Two of their opponents during that span, the Kings (122.7) and Timberwolves (115) came in higher and both scored more than120 points on the Magic during this timeframe.

This interesting information begs the question: Is the Magic’s identity shifting into a more offensive-minded one? It should not because Jamahl Mosley has always preached solid defensive foundations and has the players to achieve this. Jalen Suggs is now an above-average defender, and Bol Bol, Wendell Carter and Mo Bamba make the paint a nightmare for opponents.

Yet the Magic ranked 25th in the league defensively (115.7 points allowed per 100 possessions) in those seven games, which is simply unacceptable.

Yet to pull out three wins against quality opponents despite being that awful defensively, means that the onus could be naturally shifting towards outscoring opponents. In a way this makes sense, it is not hyperbole to say Paolo Banchero is already one of the 30 best offensive players in the league.

Related Story. Orlando Magic have a genuine star in Paolo Banchero. light

Franz Wagner is an excellent second option, while the length of their roster allows them to score a lot of points in the paint.

During the last seven games, they have ranked eighth (56.4 percent) in effective field goal percentage. Almost by accident, the Magic have created a roster that can score in so many different ways.

Banchero and Wagner can bail out any possession with a good look, and the bigs are feasting. The group has been above league average in 3-point shooting (36.9 percent) during this home stint, and all of a sudden the gross offensive sets of five years ago feel like a bad dream.

It is not necessarily a positive that Mosley’s blueprint is being moved away from. But it is also no bad thing to be known as an exciting young team that can score. This is something to watch.