3 reasons to be concerned about the Orlando Magic in 2024

Franz Wagner and the Orlando Magic are flying out to a strong start. But there are still concerns to worry about. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Franz Wagner and the Orlando Magic are flying out to a strong start. But there are still concerns to worry about. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nobody wants to feel down about a team that is 2-0 to start the season.

There are a lot of reasons to be excited about the Orlando Magic so far. The team really is playing a higher level of defense and there is a ton of confidence and belief in what they are doing.

That is always the first step to a team finding success. Belief. And this team has it all over the place.

On top of this, the Magic have a chip on their shoulder. They believe they would have reached the postseason if not for their injury-filled 5-20 start to the season. The team seems keenly aware of what the outside world is saying about them or how little they were in the spotlight last season and they want to prove their place in the league.

That is a powerful motivator for a young team. And all of us who watched this team grow last year and saw its potential so clearly want to see the team make good on this potential and keep moving in the right direction.

The Orlando Magic are heading in the right direction and clearly on a good trajectory. Even after this 2-0 start, there are some reasons to be concerned and work through this season.

Of course, those detractors are not completely off base. Even if they do not see the best version of this team, most of the realistic expectations acknowledge the talent and opportunity on this roster even if they do not think they are quite ready to reach it.

There are legitimate reasons to be still a bit skeptical of this team, even if those criticisms often ignore where the team actually is at.

The Magic’s first two games even showed the amount of promise this team has and where there are still some clear weaknesses. The Orlando Magic were expected to win its first two games against an up-and-coming Houston Rockets team and the now-rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers.

They took care of that business. But this team still showed some of its flaws.

Recognizing and understanding these flaws is part of what this season is about for this team. And already there are some reasons for concern with this Magic team.

This is not meant to bring everyone down after a 2-0 start — the Magic’s pair of games in Los Angeles stand as a big test to figure out just how good this team is. It is meant to highlight what could derail this team and the work that is clearly still left for this team.