The Orlando Magic is a team that seems to have been forgotten during the 2019 NBA free agency. The 2019 NBA Free Agency has been one for the ages. It seems almost every All-Star has either switched teams or has been paired up with another. The list of teams that are legit contenders has grown, though not every team has made big moves.
For the most part, the Magic made sure to keep the core of the team together instead of going after big names in the market. Most of the players have bought into the team’s vision, believing they can accomplish great things and even competing for a spot in the NBA Finals. With the team healthy and the nucleus intact, the Orlando Magic are running it back.
Orlando Magic Running it Back in the Eastern Conference
Orlando Magic Are a Top 3 Team in the Eastern Conference
With Kawhi Leonard now back in the Western Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks are the obvious team to win the East. However, seeds 2-8 in the Eastern Conference are there for the taking, and the Magic are the team that wants to make a run in the playoffs. What does this mean for the Orlando Magic? It means they have a chance to be a top seed in the East. Why do you ask? Because the majority of the players and the head coach returned to Orlando. Orlando is ready to make noise in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic Are Healthy and Almost the Entire Team Has Returned
Steve Clifford, in his first year as head coach of the Orlando Magic, lead them to the playoffs. By signing their free agents, they knew this would keep the core of the team. Some of their returning players include D.J. Augustin, Evan Fournier, and Aaron Gordon because they want to contend for the NBA Finals. This team is healthy, they are athletic, they can crash the glass, have solid defenders, and can make their shots. Their frontcourt has height, their backcourt is quick, and they all hustle to the ball.
The Orlando Magic’s most prominent move was in signing Al-Farouq Aminu from the Portland Trailblazers. Aminu is a defensive player who can crash the glass and has ball-handling skills. Furthermore, he is good at the pick and roll. Also, he can make buckets from the key and has a decent jump shot. Signing Aminu helps the Magic to have a complete team.
The Magic Have a Chance
It is said the Eastern Conference is not as tough as the Western Conference. Then last year that changed and now this year it reigns true again. In brief, the East is up for the team that wants to make the playoffs now that Kawhi Leonard is back in the West. The East has improved as last season the eighth seed, the Detroit Pistons, had a .500 record at 41-41. Toronto defeating the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors, proved the East has improved. Orlando can run the table as many of the teams in the 2019 Eastern Conference Playoffs seem to have made their rosters worse.
Some changes include the loss of Philadelphia 76ers, Jimmy Butler. The Boston Celtics signed Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter. The Indiana Pacers lost Thaddeus Young, then signed Malcolm Brogdon from the Bucks. The Bucks also lost Nikola Mirotic. The Brooklyn Nets lost D’Angelo Russell but signed Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and DeAndre Jordan. The Toronto Raptors lost Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green while the Pistons didn’t really do much.
This is why Orlando has a chance to run the Eastern Conference because they, for the most part, are the same team. They know how to play the game of basketball.
Conclusion
Orlando is on pace to make noise and be a top team in the East. I think they may be the second seed since they are healthy. The team wants to contend for the NBA Finals and by knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses, they can do that.
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