The Orlando Magic's new offensive system is still a work in progress. There are still many pieces to figure out.
It should be clear by now that it wants to get the ball-handler downhill and to the paint. From there, the Magic hope to collapse the defense and kick out to open shooters or run actions that will either open the lane up or deliver a quick, quality three-pointer.
Slowly but surely, Orlando is finding its footing.
After a 30-point blowout loss to the Toronto Raptors, where it looked like no one could handle the ball except for Franz Wagner, the team is starting to diversify its offense more. Anthony Black has emerged as a key player in adding that needed diversity.
With the likelihood of Jalen Suggs returning on Friday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Orlando Magic are adding another potential heavy driver to their team. Someone who can split the load with Franz Wagner and ease the weight he carries.
Slowly but surely, the Magic are piecing together what this offense is supposed to look like.
"I think a number of guys have done a good job with that," coach Sean Sweeney said after shootaround Friday. "The better we do attacking the paint, the better job we do spacing the floor, the more likely we are to get great shots. We have guys who can knock them down."
The Magic's offense is still facing some difficulties. But one thing that has changed, and one thing that can help this team, is that they are finding ways to get other players outside of Franz Wagner getting downhill to the basket.
Anthony Black, especially has a big role to play in the growing driving expansion for this team.
Orlando is getting healthier. Better players typically make everything look better. Teh Magic are starting to find the pieces and ways they need to succeed.
Black ups his aggression
Driving is one of the central thins the Orlando Maigc's offense is trying to do.
The Magic are second in the league with 74.3 drives per game, according to data from Second Spectrum. Franz Wagner leads the league with 27.2 drives per game.
The Magic want their ball-handlers -- specifically Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero -- to get downhill, use their size, and either finish in the paint or kick out to well-spaced shooters. From that kickout, players can either drive and attack the closeout, shoot the three or keep the ball moving.
Everything for the Magic's offense starts with that initial foray into the paint and getting the defense to collapse around the tall players few have the personnel to guard.
The Magic struggled because they were searching for that second attacker. Wagner had to do a lot on his own.
Anthony Black's return from an early-season ankle injury that caused him to miss all of training camp and the team's first two games has steadily given the team a second driver. His growing comfort is building the Magic's attack.
"I just feel like I'm getting into a rhythm," Black said after shootaround Friday. "I have a certain shot diet I know I can get within the offense. I'm looking to be more aggressive with the injuries that we have had out. Just looking to make more plays."
Black is averaging 17.8 points per game and shooting 48.0 percent from the floor and 43.6 percent from three. Black said he is doing what he did last year at this time when injuries pushed the ball into his hands more and he had to make something happen.
His bigger growth has been as an attacker.
Black is averaging 15.8 drives per game this year. He is still improving as a playmaker -- 5.5 assists per game against 2.9 turnovers per game, both career highs -- and as a finisher -- 48.8 percent shooting on those drives.
But that increase is significant. He did not even drive that much during last year's stellar run.
In the last four games, Black has looked much more comfortable and in rhythm. He averaged 19.0 drives per game, increasing his output. The scoring followed.
Efficiency, scoring and passing are still vital developments for him. But the Magic have needed someone to step up and ease the burden Wagner carries. Black has been a clear answer to that.
"I think his individual execution in a number of areas has been great," Sean Sweeney said after shootaround Friday. "He has a diversified skill set where he can handle the ball, he can be off the ball, he can set screens, use screens, he can cut. We're really pleased with how he's doing. He is going to keep getting better and better as the year goes on."
Black has again been asked to step up. And he has delivered a lot for this team.
Suggs' potential impact
It all makes the Magic so much more eager to get all their players back.
Paolo Banchero will make the most difference as a more natural attacker. He averages 21.0 drives per game, another heavy downhill attacker who puts pressure on defenses.
So too will Jalen Suggs, even considering his struggles early in the year.
Through the first three games, Suggs' driving stats were all virtually the same as Black, even if he lacked the same raw point production.
Suggs averaged 15.7 drives per game. He is averaging a career-high 5.7 assists per game. Suggs has all the same playmaking potential as Black does.
Suggs, like Black, has struggled with efficiency. Suggs' shooting is worse this season -- 8.0 points per game, 35.7 percent shooting and 1-for-9 from deep. Suggs' decision-making and turnovers are still something to control.
But for the Magic right now, they need to get more players who are unafraid to attack off the dribble, can get in the paint and get the team's drive-and-kick game started.
Suggs, for all his foibles and early-season struggles, can do that within this offense.
"Come to be J-Suggs. Coming to hoop. Coming to help us win games," Jalen Suggs said after shootaround on Friday. "I've just been in here working. Taking time to process the game, watch and making sure I am applying everything that I am seeing."
It will be good to have Suggs on the floor from that perspective. A more settled Magic team may help him find his footing in the offense that he did not have as the team figured things out early in the season.
Another good player is never a bad thing.
Suggs returnes to a team that is better at finding its attacking balance. That has been the major growth recently.
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