NBA Power Rankings: Impact of the 2015 Trade Deadline
25. Orlando Magic
Previous: No. 27
Record: 19-39
Last Week: 2-0
Key Acquisitions:
The Orlando Magic recently fired head coach Jacque Vaughn following a stretch of 10 consecutive losses. This isn’t a championship-caliber team, but that type of inconsistency proved to be unforgivable.
Since then, the Magic have won four of six and dominated defensively.
Orlando’s held every opponent it’s faced below 100 points since firing Vaughn on February 4. Before that, it had allowed 14 consecutive teams to score at least 100 points.
On the other end, Nikola Vucevic has been the key.
It doesn’t hurt that Victor Oladipo is simultaneously coming into his own.
Oladipo is averaging 19.4 points per game since January 1. He’s experienced moments of inconsistency, but with Elfrid Payton developing as a facilitator, the Magic have built an intriguing backcourt of the future.
At this rate, Orlando will be one of the teams to watch in 2015-16.
Next: Third Head Coach of the Season