Grabbing the last spot in the Eastern conference playoff seed, the Orlando Magic performed well according to the potential they had.
Though outplayed by the Milwaukee Bucks, this Magic squad does have the potential to turn into a strong eastern conference presence.
Let's have a look at the squad Orlando has. Leading the team is their bigman Nikola Vucevic. A pure center who has an all around game. He can post up, shoot splendidly from the mid-range and is an excellent rebounder. Not a lot of upside on his defense but his teammates make up for it.
Then coming onto Jonathan Isaac, a tall 6'11 small forward who has all the potential to be a Giannis type beast. His long wingspan makes him an excellent defender and is a lockdown defender on the perimeter and in the paint as well. Jonathan's versatility and big body frame lets him guard any position and is forming into becoming the team's defensive leader.
After Isaac we have Aaron Gordon, the man who has kept Orlando's offense afloat till now. Gordon is a high-flying power forward who runs the floor like a guard and has all the athleticism and strength to finish over almost anyone in the league. Gordon has lately been working on expanding the horizons of his game. He doesn't want to be just another dunker in the league and has recently added the 3point shot to his arsenal.
Accompanying Gordon in keeping Orlando's offense afloat is Evan Fournier. Fournier is a sharpshooting 2 guard who also has developed the ability to drive and finish at the rim. I personally feel Fournier does not get enough credit and recognition for the contribution he makes for the team but I'm sure his teammates recognise his efforts both on and off the court.
And at last we have their point guard Markelle Fultz. Drafted number 1 overall in the 2017 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Fultz was then traded away to the Orlando Magic. Fultz is a slashing playmaker type of player. He definitely knows how to finish at the rim, all he has to work on is getting his teammates involved in the offense since he plays point.
Video: The Magic in Orlando
The last time Magic fans were happy about something was when they had drafted Victor Oladipo 2nd overall in the 2013 NBA draft. Oladipo came into the league as a slasher but had continuously excelled in his first 3 years with the Orlando Magic. Unfortunately Oladipo was then later on traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder and then moved onto the Indiana Pacers.
Coming back to current times, Orlando has a good squad but lacks one true superstar. And as much as Fournier contributes on offense, if Oladipo was still with the Magic, Orlando would've given Milwaukee a much better fight than they did in the 2020 NBA playoffs.
Currently Orlando is what it is due to Nikola Vucevic and the squad but a change at the shooting guard position would benefit the team in a great manner. Orlando made the playoffs this time but till they make a few changes in the roster, I don't expect them to make the playoffs next year.
Current Superstars - Nikola Vucevic.
Past Superstars - Victor Oladipo, Dwight Howard, Tracy McGrady, Grant Hill.
Past Legends - Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway, Horace Grant.
Read More:
The Lakers literally bulldozered over every other team this playoffs. Be it the Rockets, Nuggets or the Heat. Winning a championship this year was crucial. Because this championship was for Kobe. More in details NBA Champions the Los Angeles Lakers
