Orlando Magic: 5 keys to series vs. Raptors
By Luke Duffy
5. Keep operating under the radar
It took until the final regular season game for the Magic to appear on national television, and even that was only because they were playing the Charlotte Hornets with playoff implications on the line.
That didn’t matter though, as the Magic took care of business, winning 122-114. They did this, without two of their four best players in Nikola Vucevic and Isaac. Put simply, this is the most slept-on outfit in the playoffs this year.
The other lower-seeded teams have either more media fanfare behind their cause (the gritty Indiana Pacers), a flashier up-and-coming roster and star player (D’Angelo Russell and the Brooklyn Nets) or some mix of both (Blake Griffin and his “never say die” Detroit Pistons). Only now are people talking about the Magic, and really it is former head coach Stan Van Gundy who is doing most of the talking.
Stan Van Gundy interrupting Chauncey Billups’ bit on why the Magic are a good team was hilarious.
— The Lando (@TheLando__) April 10, 2019
SVG couldn’t wait to speak on why Orlando will be a difficult out in the Playoffs. He’s hyped. Love that guy.
Casual fans likely aren’t aware of everything contained within the Magic’s roster, but there’s enough there to put it up to any team. They’ve got their All-Star in Vucevic, and a two-way player in Gordon who is constantly improving. Isaac looks like the next star on the team and Terrence Ross ended the regular season living up to his “Human Torch” nickname by hanging 35 on the Hornets off the bench.
They’ve got quality players and are part of a system that is highlighting guy’s strengths, all while pulling together under the guidance of head coach Steve Clifford, who should be a dark horse candidate for the Coach of the Year award. Operating under the radar as they’ve done all season is the key to coming out of nowhere to stun the Raptors in the type of Game 1 they’re notorious for losing.