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Orlando Magic: 5 reasons to be excited for 2018-19 NBA season

By Luke Duffy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic talks to Mohamed Bamba #5 during a timeout during the second quarter of the preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on October 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic talks to Mohamed Bamba #5 during a timeout during the second quarter of the preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on October 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. A new head coach

Steve Clifford may not be the coolest name that comes to mind when thinking of head coaches, but there is still plenty to be excited about now that he has taken over from the ousted Frank Vogel.

This begins with the players at Clifford’s disposal. In Bamba and second-year forward Jonathan Isaac, Orlando has two bigs with the potential to be great together defensively. We’ve already seen flashes of this at NBA Summer League.

During Clifford’s tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, he didn’t have two young players with the kind of potential on that end of the court that Bamba and Isaac have. That in itself is exciting, to see what he can coax out of them.

What is also going to be interesting is how Clifford will attempt to get the best out of players like Aaron Gordon on this end too. Gordon had a breakout season last year, and to take it to the next level and become an all-around talent, he will need to show more growth on this end.

Jonathon Simmons is another player who could benefit hugely from the arrival of Clifford. Despite starting his career in Orlando so promisingly last season, he flamed out. Injuries didn’t help his cause either.

The belief now however is that Clifford will be able to get the best out of all the players on this roster, from the young guys to the veterans who will need to buy into his system if the Magic want to show real improvement.

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