Tuesday, 14 May 2024

2021-22 Season Preview: Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic enter a new era filled with optimism and potential. After making a strategic decision to reset their roster, the Magic now have a young and exciting team. Last season, the team realized it was time to move on from the Nicola Vucevic-Aaron Gordon core and acted swiftly. This decision led to a drop in the standings but also presented an unexpected opportunity in the NBA Draft. Jalen Suggs, a highly regarded prospect, fell to the Magic at the fifth pick, giving them a potential franchise player for the future.

However, the success of the season and the future of the franchise will heavily depend on the comebacks of two key players: Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac. Both players are recovering from knee injuries and their health will be crucial to the team’s progress. With a mix of emerging young talent and promising players, the Magic hope to see their new head coach, Jamahl Mosley, uncover hidden gems within the roster.

BIGGEST QUESTION

One major question for the Magic is how they will sort through their collection of guards and determine the starting lineup. The addition of Jalen Suggs adds depth to the team’s backcourt, creating a competitive environment. With players like Suggs, Fultz, Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, and Michael Carter-Williams, the Magic have multiple options for starters and rotational players. It will be a challenging task for the coaching staff to find the right balance and potentially make trades if necessary.

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SEASON PREDICTION

As a young team, the Magic may struggle to keep up with the scoring power of other teams in the league. Terrence Ross, with his career-high 15.6 points per game, is currently the team’s leading scorer. However, for the Magic to succeed, they need a go-to player who can deliver in crunch time. Until they find that player, winning close games will be a challenge. As a result, the predicted finish for the Magic this season is 27-55.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

Here is the projected starting lineup for the Orlando Magic:

  • Markelle Fultz: Returning from a knee injury that interrupted his 2020-21 season. Fultz was having a solid season before the injury.
  • Jalen Suggs: Despite already having young guards on the roster, the Magic couldn’t pass up the opportunity to acquire Suggs, who dropped in the draft.
  • Terrence Ross: A reliable swingman who brings shooting range and defensive skills. Ross, at 30 years old, is one of the more experienced players on the team.
  • Jonathan Isaac: Missed all of last season due to knee surgery but is expected to make a good recovery. The Magic have him locked up long-term.
  • Wendell Carter Jr.: A dependable blue-collar center who may be undersized but is a valuable asset for the team’s long-term plans.

KEY RESERVES

In addition to the projected starting lineup, the Magic have key reserves who will contribute to the team’s success:

  • Cole Anthony: Showed promise when he started in place of Fultz and is expected to receive significant minutes.
  • RJ Hampton: The Magic anticipate growth from this former first-round pick of the Nuggets.
  • Franz Wagner: A skilled rookie who could earn a spot in the rotation. His older brother, Mo, is also a key player on the Magic.
  • Mo Bamba: This season will be crucial for Bamba to prove himself as a low-post player. He will need to work on his shooting consistency to become a stretch-five.
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FAQs

Q: Who are the key players to watch for the Orlando Magic this season?
A: Keep an eye on Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac as they make their comebacks from knee injuries. Jalen Suggs, the fifth overall pick in the draft, is also one to watch for his potential impact on the team.

Q: What is the Magic’s predicted finish for this season?
A: The Magic are projected to finish with a record of 27-55 due to their young roster and the challenges of competing against more experienced teams.

Q: Which player needs to step up as a go-to scorer for the Magic?
A: The Magic lack a reliable crunch-time scorer. Finding a player who can consistently deliver in clutch situations will be essential for the team’s success.

Summary

The Orlando Magic have entered a new era with a reset roster and a young, promising team. The success of this season and the future of the franchise will depend on the comebacks of Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac from their knee injuries. The addition of Jalen Suggs in the NBA Draft provides hope for the team’s future. However, the Magic will face challenges, particularly in finding the right balance among their guards and identifying a go-to scorer. With a projected finish of 27-55, the Magic will need to focus on player development and finding their identity on the court.