Hoops Habit
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Orlando Magic: Revisiting the decade that was the 2010s

By Luke Duffy

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 23: Head Coach Stan Van Gundy talks to Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic during the game against the Boston Celtics on January 23, 2012 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Jim Rogash/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 23: Head Coach Stan Van Gundy talks to Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic during the game against the Boston Celtics on January 23, 2012 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Jim Rogash/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
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2013-14

The 2013-14 season brought more of the same, with the Magic going into the season well aware that losing a lot of games was on the agenda. They finished 23-59, thanks in part to the one player who had one of his better seasons in the league in Afflalo. Although calling for him to be considered an outside shot for an All-Star spot was a big stretch, he kept fans engaged.

Afflalo had a career year in points (18.2) and assists (3.4), while the 42.7 percent he shot from deep would go on to be the best number of his career as well.

We were beginning to see the emergence of Vucevic as well, who averaged 14.2 points and 11.0 rebounds. It was hard to praise the performances of these two when the team was getting beaten on most nights, but without them, things would have been a whole lot worse.

This was also general manager Rob Hennigan’s first full season to put his stamp on the roster, having had the “Dwightmare” forced onto him in his first campaign after taking over from Otis Smith.

His tenure with the franchise is not fondly remembered now, and there are plenty more missteps to address in the coming years here, but he did draft Victor Oladipo second overall in that year’s draft. His rookie season was underwhelming as he adjusted to life in the pros, but in hindsight, the impatience of Magic fans did not help his growth.

Oladipo, although a college standout with Indiana, was never going to change the franchise overnight. He played in 80 games (starting 44), and averaged 13.8 points, a solid start. This would lead him to be named to the All-Rookie First Team, giving fans some hope that better times were on the horizon.

On the managerial front, however, Jacque Vaughn, in his second season with the Magic, was proving not to be a natural fit with this group. His style not blending well with the organization’s desire to have their young players grow as quickly as possible. Their defensive rating of 107.4 (17th in the league) about as good as the team numbers got during this season.

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