Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 Media Day

3. Developing an identity

Aaron Gordon was asked about what the Magic’s identity would be this season, and he had had an answer Magic fans will definitely appreciate, per theOrlando Sentinel‘s Josh Robbins:

"“We’re going to be tough every single game,” Gordon responded. “We’re going to bring it every single game. There will be no nights off. We’re going to give no team no passes. When they see that they have Orlando on the schedule, they know they’re going to have a fight.”"

This type of quote is directly in line with what the Magic’s offseason has consisted of: building a long, strong team that will wreak havoc on the defensive end. New head coach Steve Clifford has the kind of blue-collar approach this team needs moving forward to keep with this “defense first” mentality.

This is an identity that the Magic have been consistently missing since 2012, when star center Dwight Howard left for the Los Angeles Lakers. They have had problems with sticking to one style of play and with player and coach retention. Former general manager Rob Hennigan did not help with his dealings of now-star players such as Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris before they could mature, or with the four (now five) coaches that have been at the helm. Having an identity will be huge for the boys in blue moving forward.

Being a team that other teams hate to play is a great approach for the Magic, with both veterans who have a lot to still prove and young guys who need to get integrated into the NBA. For guys like Bamba and Isaac who are still adapting to a new game, going through tough practices every day will only make them better. Bringing this to the court come game day will make Orlando a formidable opponent for any team on any given night.

The goal, it seems, is for the Magic to no longer be a pushover on a nightly basis. With a toughness mantra coming into the 2018-19 season, this could provide the Magic with an identity they’ve been missing for quite some time.