National Basketball Association

Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Will they or won't they?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) high fives guard C.J. Watson (32) and forward Damjan Rudez (3) against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Amway Center. San Antonio Spurs defeated the Orlando Magic 95-89. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA season is here for the Orlando Magic. And there is one big question: Will they make the Playoffs? We answer that question in our roundtable.

The Orlando Magic season is here.

Today the Magic embark on their 28th season of basketball, taking on the Miami Heat to start the 2017 season.

It is a season of extreme pressure and expectation. The Magic want to make the Playoffs after a four-year absence. They made the moves this summer to get there.

Everyone — well, almost everyone — is 0-0 as the season starts. There is endless possibility to come in the next six months as the 82-game schedule winds its way. Every goal is in front of us.

For the Magic the goal is simple — to make the Playoffs. No one seems to have a good handle on whether the Magic can actually do this — the growing consensus is that they will not. There are just too many questions.

But nobody is willing to completely close that door. Nobody is willing to completely write this team off. They just are not ready to pull the trigger on them.

The Magic have plenty of questions to answer. And while the preseason provided some answers, it could not provide all of them. When the games count, we really learn what kind of team this is and exactly who they can be.

With the season starting Wednesday, it was time to gather the Orlando Magic Daily staff together and begin predicting the what will happen during the 2017 season. In the following roundtable, we discuss who will make the Playoffs, where the Magic will finish, who will be the team’s MVP and who wins it all.

Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) and Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) talk against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

How many games will the Orlando Magic win? Will they make the playoffs?

David Iwanowski (@davidiwan1): Fivethirtyeight projects the Magic at 38 wins and tied with Atlanta for eighth in the East, and I feel that is in the ballpark. The Magic did win 35 games last season, and I definitely feel they got better despite all the criticism of the money dished out. The defense should be among the best in the league, and teams who have elite offense or defense generally find success. Frank Vogel’s connection with the players will add a lot, and the depth could help soften the blow of any potential injuries. I would say the Magic win 40 games and sneak into the playoffs as the 8-seed.

Zach Palmer (@FmrTankCommandr): This question is really tough, the Magic have obviously improved their talent level a good bit and you could argue that the coaching staff has improved as well. But that is a ton of change to undergo in an offseason. I am going to say the Magic win 39 games. However I am not sold 39 wins gets Orlando into the playoffs. In this scenario, I see Orlando starting off pretty slow and picking up some serious steam after the All-Star break. If Orlando starts out strong, it would go a long way for their playoff chances.

Alvaro Grullon (@AlGrullonNBA): The Orlando Magic ended last season with a 35-47 record. By acquiring Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green, D.J. Augustin and, most importantly, Frank Voguel during the offseason, the team should play a better brand of basketball this season. I expect the Magic to improve their record and surprise some in the Eastern Conference. I see them winning 41 games this upcoming season and to a position in which they will be fighting for one of the lower seeds in the Eastern Conference.

Richard Scricca (@scricca1): This season could go one of two ways for the Magic. They are counting on a lot of players to take a step up and/or do some different things offensively (Aaron Gordon at small forward, the development of Mario Hezonja and Elfrid Payton, Nikola Vucevic possibly shooting threes, etc). That said, I trust Frank Vogel to get the most out of his resources this year and coach the team to around 40 wins or more. With a slightly weakened Eastern Conference, I think there is a good shot that gets them into the playoffs.

Vincent McMillan (@vmvincemj): The Orlando Magic made some moves this year adding veteran depth to the bench. Last year they missed out on quite a few wins because they were unable to seal the deal. With the additions that have been made I can see the Magic taking care of those close games and clawing back into other like they did in the final preseason game. The Magic win 44 games this year. Yes, that is good enough to make the playoffs.

Philip Rossman-Reich (@omagicdaily): I think the Orlando Magic got better. They have more talent and they finally have a guy with elite skills. But like everyone else, I have a question of fit. And I wonder whether the Magic are going to be using their players to their fullest potential. Frank Vogel is going to wring everything out of this team he can. And the Magic will have a clearer vision of where they want to build and head in the future. But I think they ultimately fall short — just short. I have them at 40 wins, playing to the final weeks of the season, but ultimately out of the Playoffs.

Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love celebrates with fans during the NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Who is making the Playoffs in the Eastern Conference?

Iwanowski: Cleveland is the clear top team. And Boston and Toronto are the next two locks. I felt Detroit as a lock two months ago, and I still have them in despite the injury to Reggie Jackson. I also see Charlotte, Washington, Atlanta and Orlando making it. I am not sold on the fit of the Indiana Pacers acquisitions and their overall identity, but I could definitely see them getting in over Orlando with Paul George and Myles Turner making a tough duo. I do not think Miami has the depth and Chicago’s shooting scares me.

Palmer: The East is pretty interesting this year. There were a lot of teams that overhauled their core and some young squads who should have grown given a NBA offseason. I think the only locks in the conference are Cleveland, Boston, Toronto and Atlanta. Teams like the Bulls, Pacers, Knicks and Bucks made some pretty wild moves. I am not sure if they really improved or just put together players hoping for a fit. With that in mind I will say the Wizards, Hornets and Pistons also make it. So that leaves one spot for the Knicks, Pacers, Bulls, Magic and Bucks. I think I will give the edge to the Pacers since Paul George is the best player on any of these teams.

Grullon: The Eastern Conference has four teams that should have no problems making the playoffs: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics. After that the remaining four seeds are up for grabs. The Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks look solid on paper and should be able to secure a playoff spot, which would only leave one spot available. The last seed in the Eastern Conference will come down to the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards or the Orlando Magic. The margin for error for these three teams is very slim. Any major injury, chemistry issue or lengthy losing streak could make the difference between one of these teams making it to the Playoffs or going home early in April.

Scricca: Cleveland, Boston and Toronto are the only real locks in my eyes. After that, there is a pretty thick herd of teams that could end up winning around the same amount of games (between 37 and 44). I like the Pistons, Pacers, Hawks and Hornets in that order, while the last seed will be battled for among the Magic, Knicks, Bulls, Wizards and Bucks. Maybe I am being optimistic, but based on a combination of coaching and overall roster makeup I see that spot going to Orlando.

McMillan: The Eastern Conference has steadily gotten better in the last few years. The competion near the bottom will be hard to figure out, but the top four should be clear. My top four in no particular order are Cleveland, Boston, Toronto and Indiana. The bottom four will be a toss up between about six teams. I am going to go with Orlando, Detroit, Chicago and New York. The two wild cards that could possibly sneak in are the Milwaukee Bucks if their long lineup works and the Atlanta Hawks if they can gel after losing two All Stars.

Rossman-Reich: I think the top three are pretty set and pretty obvious — Cleveland, Boston, Toronto. After that I feel fairly certain Detroit, Atlanta and Charlotte are in. The Pistons are dealing with the injury to Reggie Jackson and that may get them to a slow start. But they have the overall talent and coaching to stay in. a lot of people are down on the Hornets, but again coaching is good and they kept the roster virtually together. That leaves two spots left. I feel fairly certain the Indiana Pacers will get in too. That leaves one spot to fight for between the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and New York Knicks. I am leaning toward the Bulls right now, but could be convinced otherwise. Despite those “locks,” I think spots six or seven through 11 are going to be pretty tight.

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts in the second quarter in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Who is making the Playoffs in the Western Conference?

Iwanowski: Golden State, Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio, Houston, Utah, Portland, Minnesota and Memphis. I am very confident in the first six. Despite the potential lack of shooting on Minnesota, I think Zach LaVine continues his rise, and playing off the ball will help. I think health could be a problem for both Memphis and Dallas, and I give Memphis the slight nod.

Palmer: Ah, the Western Conference. Now that is much easier to predict. The Warriors, Clippers, Spurs and Jazz are locks for me. I feel pretty confident in the Trail Blazers, Grizzlies and Thunder as well. So for the final spot we have the Rockets, Mavericks, and Nuggets in my mind. With that I think I am going to go out on a limb and say the Nuggets lock up that last spot. Emmanuel Mudiay will be the key for the Nuggets if they want to make the playoffs. The Nuggets have pretty great depth at every spot outside of the Point, so if Mudiay fails to perform well the Nuggets don’t really have anybody to turn to.

Grullon: In the Western Conference, I expect to see the same suspects compete in the Playoffs once again this season. It all starts with the Golden State Warriors, who should be able to secure the top seed in the Western Conference with ease. The San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers should have no problem securing their spot in the Playoffs, which would leave three seeds up for grabs. Like the Eastern Conference, the last three playoff spots are hard to predict, but when it is all said and done, I expect to see the Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks sneaking into the Playoffs, like they always do. That would leave one spot remaining in the Western Conference. The Utah Jazz or the Minnesota Timberwolves should be able to secure that last spot. It will come down to the development of the young players on both teams and also on which team can stay healthy during the regular season.

Scricca: Golden State, San Antonio and the Clippers will be the top three seeds in the West. I love how Houston looks and could see them earning the fourth seed with one of the fastest and most potent offenses in the entire league. The Jazz, Timberwolves and Blazers should round things out. But under Tom Thibodeau I do slightly worry about the health of some of the T-Wolves’ younger stars. That said, if Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and Kris Dunn all stay healthy and perform to their expectations, I could see the Wolves finishing even higher.

McMillan: Like the East, the West will have a battle for the final spots. My top four are Golden State, L.A. Clippers, San Antonio and Portland. I believe the Jazz will get in along with OKC. The last two spots are a toss up, but I will go with New Orleans and Memphis. Challenging for those last spots will be Minnesota, who I think is a year away after a coaching change and being so young (like the Magic last year) and Houston, who might struggle to stop anyone on defense.

Rossman-Reich: I think the West is much more straightforward than the East. The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs are clearly the cream of the crop. The Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers make up that next tier. Then there are the old stalwarts — the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks especially just always find a way to get in. I do not like Houston’s complete lack of defense. And the Minnesota Timberwolves are still a year of maturing away from making some real noise.

Oct 18, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) warms up prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Who will be the Orlando Magic’s MVP this year?

Iwanowski: The MVP of the Orlando Magic this season will be Serge Ibaka. Ibaka is probably the best player on the team, playing in a contract season and being featured in a bigger role offensively than ever before. He will thrive with the players around him, and his two-way abilities will be huge for the Magic this season. The Magic have a lot of question marks, but Ibaka will come ready to play every time he hits the court and will help the Magic in more ways than anyone else on the roster.

Palmer: I am going to say the MVP for the Magic this season is going to be Bismack Biyombo. However, I want to note there is a caveat, he will only be MVP for this team if the Magic decide to move Nikola Vucevic during the season. Biyombo brings a lot of the stuff Orlando has not had the past couple years: an elite rebounder, an elite pick and roll defender and the best screen setter this team has seen since Dwight Howard left. I think Biyombo ends up playing so well that it makes it easy for the Magic to decide to move Vucevic. This helps Biyombo wrap up the team MVP as it opens up playing time for Aaron Gordon at power forward.

Grullon: The MVP for the Orlando Magic this season should be Serge Ibaka. He will have an opportunity to have the ball on his hands more than ever before on the offensive end and the success of this team rides on how well he can play as the “main” guy. Ibaka is also playing for a new contract in the offseason, which means that he will be motivated and hungry to show that he is worth a max contract and that he can be star in this league. Ibaka will also play a tremendous role on the defensive end for the Magic. He should have no problem being the anchor on defense for the Orlando Magic and becoming a fan favorite in no time.

Scricca: Evan Fournier will light the Magic offense up this season. I think he will benefit from the pieces that he has been surrounded with — great rim protection and rebounding to initiate transition offense and bigs that can help provide floor spacing should pay dividends for his scoring acumen. The Magic will certainly get great defensive production from their offseason acquisitions. But Evan Fournier’s offensive contributions will prove to be the Magic’s most valuable asset.

McMillan: The Magic’s MVP could end up with a few players, but I am going with Serge Ibaka. Serge has the skills to impact the game on both ends of the floor in a variety of ways. On the defensive end, his rim protection will be key alongside Vucevic and cleaning up any mistakes made on the perimeter. He will also be asked to switch on other positions on the defensive end and hold his own against smaller quicker players. On the offensive side of the ball he will have a bigger role than he had previously in Oklahoma City and will want to show what he can do since it is a contract year for him. While the team may rely on Fournier heavily for offense and Aaron Gordon figuring out small forward will be key, Ibaka being solid night in and night out anchoring this team not only in stats but in attitude and heart will be the most value asset to the Magic.

Rossman-Reich: I think the Orlando Magic’s MVP will be Serge Ibaka. I was high on Ibaka and the potential for him to take on a larger role for the Magic. I think his scoring will go up to career-high levels. But where Ibaka becomes the team MVP is with his defense. He has the potential to transform the Magic’s defense — from middle of the road to elite. For the Magic to have a successful season, he will have to be a leader on both sides of the floor.

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) brings the ball up court during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Who wins the NBA Championship this year?

Iwanowski: My only reservation for picking Golden State to win would be that I felt almost as confident in them last March as I do right now, and they lost. It took the perfect combination of a slight mental lapse from a star player, an injury to Andrew Bogut, and incredible performances from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving for the Warriors to lose last season. They open this season looking better than ever, replacing Harrison Barnes, Andrew Bogut, Leandro Barbosa, Festus Ezeli, Brandon Rush and Marreesse Speights with Zaza Pachulia, David West, promising rookie Pat McCaw, and Kevin Durant. Kevin freaking Durant. It should be near impossible to stop their offense, and the death lineup will force people to drop what they’re doing and turn on League Pass. This team has the potential to be the best team ever, and I can’t see them losing 4 games to a single team in the playoffs.

Palmer: I am going with the Clippers here. Wait, hold on a minute. Well, I was just informed that the Warriors signed Kevin Durant. WHY KEVIN? WHYYYYYYY? The stupid Warriors and that dummyface Kevin Durant are in position to be the greatest team in NBA history. I do not see why you should or would bet against them. This season just kind of seems like a season-long coronation for the Warriors and with that in mind we need somebody to step up and knock off the Warriors. We need somebody to make the NBA great again.

Grullon: The NBA Championship will come down once again to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. The Cavaliers did not do enough during the offseason to make them better. On the other hand, the Warriors enter this season hungry and ready to prove everyone wrong after collapsing in the NBA Finals. The acquisition of Kevin Durant simply seems unfair in so many levels and it will make this team much harder to beat on a seven game series. Early on, people seem to overlook their depth as well. The Warriors will have once again one of the deepest teams in the NBA, which will play a huge role in the Playoffs and especially on a seven game series. Warriors in 6.

Scricca: I was more confident than I had ever been about a Finals prediction when I said the Warriors would win it all at the beginning of last year’s postseason. The team was unstoppable like the league had never seen before, but a small injury here and a suspension there and a sloppy fourth quarter changed everything. I think there is a really strong chance that the Warriors’ lack of depth and legit rim protection comes back to haunt them deep in the postseason. I think the Cavaliers will repeat. Based on matchups alone, I think the Clippers and Rockets both have a stronger chance at knocking Golden State out of the West than people give them credit for. A Warriors championship in 2017 is anything but a lock as far as I am concerned.

McMillan: Without seeing a regular season game played, this is one of the easiest to predict. Without any injuries occurring or other catastrophic events, the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers should meet in the Finals again. With the Warriors having a historic meltdown and giving away a 3-1 lead with home court to the Cavs last year, I just do not believe that happens again. Not to mention they added another top-five player in the league in Kevin Durant just in case Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson go cold for some reason. Golden State not only got better at scoring and shooting, but they got longer. Can you imagine having Durant at center? Me either. The Cavs will not go down easy as long as James is the on the floor. So Golden State in 6.

Rossman-Reich: We will get our rubber match after the last two seasons seeing the Golden State Warriors face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It should not be a cake walk. There are some holes in the Warriors roster — mostly at center and on the interior — but there is so much talent. There is so much talent. It is going to be tough for any team to combat them in a seven-game series. The Warriors will not go on a record-breaking binge like they did last year. But the Warriors are too stacked. When they get rolling offensively, teams are just going to be hunkering down and surviving.

Thanks to the Orlando Magic Daily staff for answering these questions. Let us know what you think in the comments below!