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Orlando Magic: 3 reasons they’re above .500

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 18: The Orlando Magic celebrate during the game against the New York Knicks on November 18, 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 - NOVEMBER 18: The Orlando Magic celebrate during the game against the New York Knicks on November 18, 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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(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. They have depth

It has taken just as long to get to this point, and you still have to whisper it quietly, but the Magic’s roster right now is a kind of sneaky good. With the aforementioned identity established, the next stage is setting out clearly defined roles for players.

For the longest time that wasn’t possible because Orlando didn’t have very good players. To go back and look at some of the rosters of the last few years (Ben Gordon, Devyn Marble and Stephen Zimmerman, anyone?), you really get a sense of just how bad things got.

Now, however, the Magic have their best player in Vucevic, who is having a monster season so far. They also have the up-and-coming potential franchise player in Gordon, who is building quietly on his breakout campaign last year.

Ross is the ideal sixth man off the bench, so much so that as of now he should be a top-five candidate to win the award this season. Isaac and Bamba round out the young and intriguing core with Gordon, with the potential of all three being very exciting.

Simmons brings the toughness and veteran leadership, while Fournier is an offensive spark. The need for a long-term point guard still exists, and there could be some quality ones available sooner rather than later that may be worth looking at.

But D.J. Augustin has been excellent so far this season as well. Even if and when the Magic move for a floor general to pair with their young core, Augustin absolutely should be kept on the team as a backup. He has been that good.

So to have all of the main roles filled with the appropriate players at this stage has been huge for them. There is a cohesiveness and understanding as to how they fit together, something which hadn’t been the case at any stage during the rebuild before now.

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Of course, the Magic should always be open to trades, and they’re not winning a title with what they’ve got right now. But there would be risk attached to making any moves at this stage. They are in a good place at the moment, and the combination of head coach and personnel knowing what is expected of them has gotten them there. Long may being over .500 continue.

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