National Basketball Association

Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Just enough hope

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:10 p.m. ET

Fansided, Philip Rossman-Reich/FanSided via Orlando Magic Daily

Feb 1, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard C.J. Watson (32) throws the ball back inbounds against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Amway Center. The Pacers won 98-88. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Orlando Magic picked up a win over the Toronto Raptors and seemed ready to turn a corner. And then they did not. The team reverted to its bad self again

Walking out of the Amway Center on Friday night, there was a whiff of optimism in the air.

The Orlando Magic had just dismantled the Toronto Raptors for a 102-94 victory. The team played one of its better defensive games in a month and a half, holding the Raptors to less than 40 percent shooting. The Magic were the better, more engaged and active team.

It was their game and they dominated it.

It was easy to begin thinking a little bit ahead. If the Magic could play like this again Saturday and build some momentum and put together a win streak then . . .

Oh, those halcyon days. Those days of such unbridled optimism. Of hope and what may happen, but then never will.

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The Magic had built some intrigue with decent performances and some life on defense in previous games. It felt like Orlando had built some confidence. A win could only confirm it. Right?

Guess not.

The Magic rolled into Atlanta on the back of that win over the Raptors and got beat up against the Atlanta Hawks. A 27-point loss again puts things in perspective. Or at least returns everything to normal.

It is true, a team is never as good as they look on tape and never as bad as they look either. Maybe.

The Magic though have continued to look bad in several moments. They have seen far too many of these 25-point blowouts and lifeless efforts. It was the kind of game that makes any sense of optimism feel silly.

The naivety of hope, though, remains. The Magic still seem to have that one good game in them to pick up a win and make it look like they will turn the corner. They are great at providing just enough hope at just the right moment.

Maybe one day the Magic will turn that corner and take that next step. Until then. . . they are what they are.

Jan 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel talks with guard Mario Hezonja (8) against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated

Golden State Warriors

(43-8)

Last week: 2-1 recordLast rank: 1st

Steph is rounding into form nicely right now, and the Warriors are basically where they want to be. Since Jan. 1, Curry’s outscored Kevin Durant, been far more dangerous from three, and has shaken his December blues. I genuinely don’t know how Golden State has lost eight games.27

Phoenix Suns

16-35

Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 28th

Here’s something he did this week. That triple (triple?) jab step froze the living daylights out of Matt Barnes and glued me to my phone. I think I replayed that five times. Devin Booker ain’t even old enough to drink. Devin Booker doesn’t remember Power Rangers. Devin Booker definitely has no idea Justin Timberlake was ever in N*Sync.

Orlando Magic

20-33

Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 27th

Whether or not GM Rob Hennigan actually referred to Mario Hezonjac as “Pooper Mario” is a moot point. This would be an alternative fact I can accept.29

Los Angeles Lakers

(17-36)

Last week: 1-2 recordLast rank: 29th

I was hoping I would not have to address the alleged “Pooper Mario” comments other than dismissing them on Twitter.

For those that do not know, Magic general manager Rob Hennigan allegedly made somewhat inflammatory, but lighthearted, comments about Mario Hezonja during a season ticketholder meeting. He allegedly revealed a lot of state secrets about the Magic’s plans for the trade deadline and some honest assessments about the roster.

Someone posted some of these thoughts on the Orlando Magic Real GM forum.

It all seemed highly out of character for Hennigan. So I did not put much credence into it.

Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) points after he makes a three pointer during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Marc Stein, ESPN.com

Golden State Warriors

(43-8)

Last week: 2-1 recordLast rank: 1st

The Warriors’ OT loss at Sacramento is bound to generate some overreaction, given that any Warriors loss usually does. It’s tough to get too worked up about the slip-up when they have such a great shot to join the 1995-96 Bulls on the short list of teams to lead the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency in the same season — Golden State is No. 1 offensively and narrowly down to No. 2 defensively as we speak — and sport the impressive average nightly point margin numbers detailed above. The Dubs have now won nine consecutive games against the Clippers (by an average margin of 13.1 PPG) and got there with their 33rd game already this season with at least 30 assists. No team in league history had previously recorded 33 such performances through its first 50 games of the season.27

Phoenix Suns

(16-35)

Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 28th

Eric Bledsoe appeared on the TrueHoop Conversations podcast with the Committee in mid-January. Not long after that visit, Bledsoe uncorked three 40-point performances in a span of six games after never scoring more than 35 points in his first 395 regular-season games. Coincidence? We think not. ‎Click here for a vintage Zach Lowe deep dive on Bledsoe’s successful season to date — as well as the trade conundrum that surge presents — and also be advised that Phoenix is now on a short list with Milwaukee when it comes to teams that have produced multiple buzzer-beaters this season thanks to Devin Booker’s heroics against Sacramento.28

Orlando Magic

(20-33)

Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 27th

Fun game introduced this week by own our Kevin Pelton both in podcast and print form: Who would you choose as the All-Star representative from the 12 teams that don’t have one assuming the NBA employed a system like baseball or hockey where every team had to have at least one All-Star. As Professor Pelton rightly notes, none of those other 12 teams has you scuffling for a suggestion like the Magic, which tells you what sort of season it’s been in Central Florida. I suppose Serge Ibakac or Nikola Vucevic is the best option, given the time Evan Fournier has lost to injury this season, but Orlando is reportedly willing to part with either of them before the Feb. 23 trade deadline. Which doesn’t sound very All-Star-ish.29

Los Angeles Lakers

(17-36)

Last week: 1-2 recordLast rank: 29th

This was a question we took up on Orlando Magic Daily closer to All-Star selections. We ultimately settled on Serge Ibaka.

No, Ibaka has not had the breakout season everyone hoped for. But he has been the Magic’s best all-around player. He is averaging a career high in points. And when he is engaged defensively, he is as dominant as ever.

That will not stop the trade winds from blowing. It seems inevitable the Magic will trade Serge Ibaka in the next two weeks before the trade deadline.

Nov 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) and center Nikola Vucevic (9) high five in the first half in a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amway Center. Orlando Magic won 102-94. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Kurt Helin, Pro Basketball Talk

Golden State Warriors

(43-8)

Last week: 2-1 recordLast rank: 1st

Stephen Curry is back to playing at an MVP level. After the Christmas Day loss to Cleveland, the Warriors put the ball in his hands for more pick-and-rolls, he worked to be more aggressive, and while his shots went up by three per game his three point percentage went from 39.7% before Santa to 46.2% after Santa. Big game this week is Kevin Durant returning to Oklahoma City on Saturday night.26

Minnesota Timberwolves

(19-32)

Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 26th

The loss of Zach LaVine for the season is crushing to this team’s already faint playoff dreams — LaVine was the starter usually out there with the struggling bench units to provide some points and stability. Brandon Rush seems to be the starter, but the second unit is the concern. Just hope LaVine — who had taken real steps forward with his game this season — can bounce back from this torn ACL.27

Orlando Magic

(20-33)

Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 27th

Orlando is a team to watch the next two weeks — not on the court, but heading into the trade deadline. They are looking for a home for Serge Ibaka (who is not likely to re-sign there) but considering they gave up Victor Oladipo and the pick that became Domantas Sabonis to get him, the Magic want quality back. Other teams are not interested at that price. Same basic thing with Nikola Vucevic. Will Orlando come down a little, and will the market rise up to meet them?28

Phoenix Suns

(16-35)

Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 28th

The Orlando Magic have not popped up in any actual actionable rumors to this point. Other than that general sense they will trade Serge Ibaka. But the Magic will be active around the trade deadline.

They have already said that publicly. They will be doing plenty of digging.

And Ibaka may not be the only one on the move. The team is checking on what it can get for several other players, like Nikola Vucevic and maybe even Elfrid Payton. The Magic will be active an intriguing as this trade deadline sets the course for the franchise.

Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives past Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Moore, CBS Sports

San Antonio Spurs

(39-12)

Last week: 3-0 recordLast rank: 2nd

San Antonio doesn’t own the No. 1 spot, but they’ve invested in a time share here for years so they pretty much have the run of the place. They have a key to the sauna room, they get valet comped, they get a special table and the best local restaurants. But they’re not locals anymore. 23

Milwaukee Bucks

(22-28)

Last week: 1-2 recordLast rank: 24th

They went from two games over .500 to seven games under in 20 days. Their defense just got caught in a sinkhole and fell into the earth. There’s time for them to pull out of it, but has to start now, when they have one opponent over .500 between now and the All-Star break.24

Orlando Magic

(20-32)

Last week: 1-2 recordLast rank: 27th

If the Magic could just play the Raptors every game, they’d be the 5th seed. (Note: They do not play the Raptors every game.)25

Charlotte Hornets

(23-28)

Last week: 0-3 recordLast rank: 21st

If only the Magic could play the Toronto Raptors every game. Let’s just forget that the Raptors beat the Magic by 30 points at the Amway Center earlier this year too, while we are at it.

Instead, let’s use this slide to talk about how the Charlotte Hornets have become this year’s version of last year’s Orlando Magic.

The Magic went 2-12 in January last year to fall completely out of the Playoff picture. The Hornets have won just four since the calendar turned and have fallen out of the Playoff race. Charlotte still has time to save things.

Nov 25, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) looks to pass as Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards at Amway Center. The Wizards won 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

John Schuhmann, NBA.com

Golden State Warriors

(43-8)

Last week: 2-1 recordLast rank: 1st

Stephen Curry combined for 61 points and 12 threes on Saturday, but the Warriors still need that third scorer and didn’t get it in Sacramento, where Steve Kerr got ejected and where Kevin Durant (who shot 2-for-10) got into it with Draymond Green (again). The Warriors haven’t lost often, but when they have, it’s been more about their league-best offense (which has held under a point per possession in five of their eight losses) than their second-ranked defense. They’re 9-3 against the league’s top-10 defenses, with three games against the group this week.26

New York Knicks

(22-30)

Last week: 1-2 recordLast rank: 26th

Amid all the Melo-drama, the Knicks’ young bench has been a bright spot, and Willy Hernangomez forced Jeff Hornacek to keep him on the floor late in games last week. Hernangomez averaged 15.7 points and 11.7 rebounds in the three games, grabbing some huge offensive boards in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s win in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony watching the final 15 minutes (which the Knicks won 42-28) from the bench. The Knicks have outscored their opponents by 7.7 points per 100 possessions in 247 minutes with Hernangomez and Mindaugas Kuzminskas (a.k.a. “Kuuuuuzzzz!!!”) on the floor together.27

Orlando Magic

(20-32)

Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 27th

The Magic got a win over the struggling Raptors on Friday, but aren’t going anywhere in the standings and have to be thinking more about where they want to be a year from now. If they’re shopping Serge Ibaka, he’s helped them with increased production over the last couple of weeks (though he shot 2-for-9 in Saturday’s loss in Atlanta), but he hasn’t made any real impact defensively and ranks as one of the league’s worst rim protectors. The Magic have been a bottom-five team on both ends of the floor and have been outscored by a league-worst 10.6 points per 100 possessions as they’ve gone 3-9 over the last three-plus weeks.28

Los Angeles Lakers

(17-36)

Last week: 1-2 recordLast rank: 29th

The two wins against the Toronto Raptors did feel like a nice shot in the arm. But reality does come in. And that was the theme of this week.

The Magic are still statistically one of the worst teams in the league. It does not really look like the team will turn that corner.

The only thing left to do is to turn the page.