Orlando Magic: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18
By Luke Duffy
Weakness No. 2: Lack of a star player
For all the optimism surrounding the team this summer, the Orlando Magic still don’t have that star, that franchise cornerstone to build around.
It may come in the form of Isaac, and early indications are that he’s going to be pretty good. But expecting him to take over right away is foolish. The guy is only 20 years old.
It was great to see the team go out and get Simmons, and fans should rightly be excited if his effort in the preseason is an indication of how hard he’s going to play. But in two years with the San Antonio Spurs, Simmons had averages of 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
Is this because he was playing in a system that placed the team above individuals? Partly yes, but we can’t expect him to come in and put up near All-Star level numbers right away.
So it still remains to be seen who exactly runs this team, and who should take over when the game is on the line (Fournier would appear to fit the bill for the second part of that question).
The fact the team couldn’t find one in five seasons of being so bad team is even worse, and is part of the reason this team is still in the position that it is. Until a star player breaks out in Orlando, it may be that the playoffs remain just out of reach, and that is the feeling as the new season nears.