Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

5 little improvements that will determine the Orlando Magic’s 2024 season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley helped build a resilient culture that saw his young team take big steps in 2023. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley helped build a resilient culture that saw his young team take big steps in 2023. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Mar 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) controls the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

5 little improvements that will determine the Orlando Magic’s season

Reducing Turnovers

On the court then, the biggest problem the Orlando Magic face is the same one that every young team seemingly faces. They turn the ball over a lot.

If there is one thing the Magic can do to take a major step forward offensively it is not actually to shoot better from deep, it is to reduce turnovers.

Orlando ranked 27th in turnover rate at 15.1 percent. Even after Dec. 7, the Magic ranked 23rd at 14.4 percent. Turnovers were a major problem for the Magic.

They did not always turn into points on the other end, but it was still a major weakness. Orlando gave up 18.2 points off turnovers per game, 25th in the league, and 17.4 points off turnovers per game (20th in the league) after Dec. 7.

This is one way the Magic’s offense hurts their defense. If Orlando wants to be a top defensive team in the league, it is going to start by valuing possessions better. Beyond that too, the Magic just lose a lot of possessions offensively by giving the ball up.

If Orlando can value possessions better, the team has guys who can take advantage of those extra possessions. Whether that is Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner getting more shot opportunities or giving the Magic the opportunity to move the ball that much more.

There was no one player who seemingly turned the ball over a lot. It was an accumulation of them. Banchero led the team with 2.8 turnovers per game, Markelle Fultz had 2.3 turnovers per game and Franz Wagner had 2.1 per game. So that is something that is literally just a small improvement for the Magic.

This is again a way where Banchero can get more efficient. It is something simple, but it is something that is so important for the team’s success.

Turnovers were a quiet or excused story for the Magic because they were so young. Mistakes were somewhat expected as the team hoped to learn from them and get better. That is what young teams do.

Part of this season is going to be about the team maturing and growing as a group. That means being more attentive with possessions and valuing them more. That will boost the offense plenty and perhaps help the team get out of the bottom 10 or do enough to win more games.