Orlando Magic: 3 key areas of growth in 2018-19

2. Defensively

The one area where it was hoped coach Clifford could turn the Magic into an elite outfit was defensively. They’re not quite there yet, but what he was able to implement in 82 regular season games was nothing short of remarkable.

The team finished eighth in defensive rating (107.5), and from the All-Star break onwards they were higher again as they sat in fifth place (107). Given that the previous season they finished 20th (109.3), that represented a big step in the right direction.

Although Clifford had some notable defensive players at his disposal to carry out his vision on the court, help came from less expected areas as well. The Magic actually had a better rating defensively when Vucevic was on the court (105.6), which says a lot about Clifford’s impact on guys not known for their defense.

In previous seasons, Vucevic was an eyesore on that end. While his number may be a bit misleading as a result of who he shared the court with (a lot of Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac), the improvements are clear to see. He bit less often on pump fakes and was smarter around the paint protecting the basket.

Others such as Wesley Iwundu (103.8), Isaac (107.2) and Gordon (105.1) benefitted from playing under Clifford and responded in kind. That Augustin was able to post a rating of 106.2 despite being undersized and never known for his elite defending speaks to the job Clifford was able to do in making any player look comfortable defensively.

The crown jewel in the Magic’s growth, however, was center Khem Birch. It was no coincidence that rookie Mohamed Bamba’s season-ending injury, which allowed Birch to take his minutes as a backup off the bench, coincided with the team’s reversal of fortunes. He posted a great defensive rating of 102, and his energy and rim protection helped saved the season.