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Orlando Magic: 2018-19 NBA season preview

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 24: Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic poses for a portrait during Media Day on September 24, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 24: Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic poses for a portrait during Media Day on September 24, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
Orlando Magic (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best-case scenario

Being realistic, the best the Magic can hope for this season is a couple of nice notable wins and some real growth from their young players. It would also be nice to see Wesley Iwundu show a bit more in year two of his career.

If we want to get ahead of ourselves, then why not think that a playoff berth is within reach? After all, in two short years, the Magic’s roster has gone from one of the most old-fashioned and conventional to having legit versatility.

This version of the roster is much more suited to the era of the NBA we live in today, and a lot of other teams won’t be able to match up with the Magic on both ends of the court. Particularly defensively, Orlando could be special soon.

Worse-case scenario

Taking the glass half empty approach, and there are still causes for concern around what this organization can be in both the short and long-term. Their three young players may not go together as well as they hope.

Injuries could once more rob Isaac of court time (he played in only 27 during his rookie campaign, starting 10), while we’d be foolish to think that Bamba won’t have the same obstacles to overcome that most rookies do.

Another season of missing the playoffs isn’t the potentially worst part of the coming season. It’s the possibility that by year’s end, they’ll look as aimless and confused about which direction they’re going in as they have for over half a decade.

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