The NBA’s top 5 landing spots for head coach Kenny Atkinson

Orlando Magic

In some ways, the Orlando Magic are in a similar position to the Nets last year. They have a group of good though unspectacular players and are in position at the bottom of the NBA’s Eastern Conference playoff picture.

However, unlike Atkinson’s Nets team which was clearly on the rise, the Magic appear stagnant. For all of Aaron Gordon’s athleticism and skill, he is not the star to take them to the next level that some in Orlando thought he would be. Important players like Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, and Terrence Ross, are in their primes or just past them.

At the same time, Orlando has two players with tremendous upside but checkered histories in their young NBA careers. Markelle Fultz, the 2017 first overall pick, lost last season to a mysterious shoulder injury and has only shown his electrifying scoring potential in bits and pieces.

Meanwhile, Mo Bamba was drafted because of his potential to bring the incredibly rare combination of shooting skills, rim protection, and mobility on defense. The Magic, however, only looked their best last year during their 21-8 run with Bamba injured and undrafted center Khem Birch taking his minutes.

Atkinson has a track record of player development and the ability to connect with young players that could bring out Bamba’s and Fultz’s best selves. Meanwhile, his egalitarian offensive approach would suit this Magic team with many capable ball handlers but no clear-cut star.

Steve Clifford has been a solid coach for a solid Orlando Magic team. However, Orlando will want to do more than to scrape into the eighth seed each year, especially with the intriguing young talent and solid veterans at their disposal. Kenny Atkinson could turn them from a franchise at a plateau to one in the mold of his Brooklyn team: a hard-working, talented, team that maximizes its talent and takes a leap in the standings.