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5 things the Orlando Magic still have to play for

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic can no longer make the postseason. But they still have things to accomplish. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic can no longer make the postseason. But they still have things to accomplish. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic, Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Orlando Magic are still learning and growing and have to see every failure or struggle as a chance to grow and improve. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

5 things the Orlando Magic still have to play for

Out of the bottom

There are a lot of things left that could be a point of pride for this young team. Everything for the Orlando Magic is about an indication of what their future ultimately will be. They want to show everyone what they are going to be and who they will become in the very near future.

And so there are indeed some indicators that can show where they are headed.

The first is in the team rankings. And the Magic still have some admittedly small goals they can achieve there.

Orlando has billed itself as a defensive team all season long. And that has proven itself to be true, albeit a work in progress.

The Magic currently rank 16th in the league in defensive rating at 113.6 points allowed per 100 possessions. They are tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder for 15th. Finishing in the top half of the league would be a nice point of pride and at least some positive momentum for a team that wants the defense to be its backbone.

Orlando has a real chance of accomplishing this. And it should be something the team focuses on in these final three games. Finishing in the top half is, again, an indicator of the team’s ability to rise the rankings and be one of the best defensive teams in the league in the very near future.

That is a positive sign.

Offensively? The Magic are still very much a work in progress.

Orlando is 26th in the league at 111.9 points per 100 possessions. They trail the Miami Heat for 25th by 0.2 points per 100 possessions. Finishing outside the bottom five would be a minor victory for a team that has struggled mightily offensively for the past decade.

The Magic will finish in the bottom 10 in offensive rating for the 11th straight year (every since trading Dwight Howard). They have finished in the bottom five in seven of the 11 years including this one. Offense remains the biggest impediment to the Magic’s future success.

So a little victory of playing well enough to get out of the bottom five for the season would be nice. Especially to build off a strong finish to the season.

Next. Orlando Magic's disappointment is hunger for their future. dark

The Magic are 22nd in the league with a 113.7 offensive rating since the All-Star Break. Again, this is a small victory. But one the Magic should be aiming for to end their season.

A small goal to achieve before the season officially concludes.