Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 Media Day
By Chris Murch
2. This team will be fun to watch
If the Magic aren’t high on people’s NBA League Pass rankings, they are really messing up. This is a team bursting with potential and with exciting talent across the board. They have the most length in the NBA, a young up-and-coming star who could take the next step into the top-25 conversation in Gordon, a rookie with the longest wingspan ever recorded at the NBA Draft Combine in Bamba, several high-flyers, a new coach in Steve Clifford and a fresh energy that could propel them into a surprising season.
NBA writer Keith Smith seems to agree with this sentiment:
A personal opinion: I'm not from Orlando and not a fan of the team in any way, but I want them to succeed. I would like to cover playoff games in person. Beyond that, this is a very, very likable team that is full of great guys. I want them to win for those reasons.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 25, 2018
Yes, the Magic have a lot to prove and this joy in watching them will potentially be null if they decide to take it easy this season, do a semi-tank and wait another year to develop their younger players. After some interesting offseason moves, like not attempting to get a point guard in free agency, all signs pointed to another down year in Orlando.
It seemed as though the front office was comfortable with the team in place and adding career backups Jerian Grant, Timofey Mozgov and Jarell Martin didn’t help with any sort of “win-now” sentiment. While the Magic bench looks to be strong this year, and fun to watch with guys like Bamba, Jonathon Simmons, Martin and Wesley Iwundu popping up, this won’t sell tickets or glue eyes to the television.
However, when you look deeper at the situation, this team as currently constructed can win games. They will also be exciting as hell to watch. Don’t be surprised if you see Bamba, Isaac or Gordon popping up on the House of Highlights Instagram page frequently with some high-flying antics or big blocks.