Orlando Magic’s Season Overview
This season was anticipated to be a defining moment for the Orlando Magic, who were aiming to establish themselves as serious playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference. After a promising previous season in which they secured 47 wins and a playoff berth, expectations were high. ESPN ranked them as the ninth-best team in the league, forecasting 48 wins, while The Athletic placed them even higher at seventh. However, the current reality finds the Magic struggling, with an even 6-6 record, placing them 10th in the Eastern Conference just 12 games into the season.
Shooting Struggles
A significant factor in their underwhelming start is their continued shooting struggles from last year, with their effective field goal percentage landing them at 20th in the league. Their three-point shooting is even more concerning, sitting at a league-worst 33.6%, where they are ranked 24th. Notably, no player on the roster is making over two three-pointers per game, which further underscores their offensive woes. The team’s offseason acquisition of Desmond Bane, a player known for his sharpshooting, was expected to bring some much-needed scoring, but his performance has been disappointing as he currently averages only 30.2% from beyond the arc, well below his career average.
Bane’s adjustment to the new team dynamics has been highlighted by his placement as the fourth-leading shooter in three-point attempts, which speaks to an inefficiency in the team’s offensive scheme—one which lacks sufficient catch-and-shoot opportunities that would allow players to thrive. Currently, the Magic are 28th in the league for catch-and-shoot attempts, creating fewer than 23 per game. Additionally, a concerning 8.3% of their shots come with an opposing defender in close proximity, marking them fourth-worst in the NBA.
Team Optimism and Challenges
Despite these challenges, Magic players remain optimistic. Anthony Black remarked, “We’re still figuring out our rhythm together as a team; we’re still learning how to create better shots for ourselves.” This sentiment was echoed by Bane, who acknowledged the growing pains that come with integrating new players.
Compounding the issue is the absence of key players from last season—Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Mo Wagner, and Cole Anthony, all of whom significantly contributed to last year’s offense. Coach Jamahl Mosley pointed to the need for team chemistry as a critical component affecting their current struggles.
Offensive Identity and Defensive Performance
However, the Magic’s offensive identity, built around the pick-and-roll, has not fared well either. Despite running pick-and-roll plays more than most teams, they rank poorly in points generated per play and shooting efficiency in these situations. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, both central offensive figures, have been struggling to convert in this area, rendering a once-promising strategy less effective.
Cancellation of fouls and improved defensive performance will likely be the keys to addressing these offensive inefficiencies. The Magic’s current defensive rating has dropped to 15th, contrasting sharply with their strong end-of-season ranking last year. Still, their tenacity has shone through at times, notably in their most recent game against the Knicks, where they dominated through effective defensive plays.
Looking Ahead
The primary focus for the Magic moving forward will be solving their shooting inconsistencies while leveraging their physicality in defense—attributes that helped this team rise to playoff contention in recent seasons. As the players aim to capitalize on defensive rebounds and ignite fast breaks, Coach Mosley affirmed that staying true to their defensive identity is crucial for success moving forward. With five wins in their last seven games, the Magic appear to be finding their footing once more. It remains to be seen if they can maintain this momentum and transform preseason hopes into sustainable success throughout the season, rebuilding the confidence that many expected from them early on.
For the Orlando Magic, the quest to reclaim their status within the top echelon of the Eastern Conference is underway, as they navigate through both external expectations and internal adjustments. Mosley emphasizes that while outside predictions loom large, the priority remains solely on enhancing their gameplay:
“Our process and execution will ultimately dictate our success.”
