Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Tired inconsistency
Dec 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives past Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) to score during the second half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Hornets win 109-88. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
The Orlando Magic were riding high a week ago. Then last week happened and things began to crater again. The biggest teases in the league fell again.
The Orlando Magic were riding high last week. They had won three of four games on their five-game road trip and had risen to third in the league in defensive rating.
This was a team building its identity and preparing for a Playoff push — all while during the most brutal stretch of their schedule.
Then, they dropped the ball. Or they let go of the rope. Or something happened — be it fatigue or overconfidence or whatever — that caused the Magic to fall once again.
Orlando lost three of the four games they played this week in a brutal four-games-in-five-nights stretch that concluded a string of eight games in 12 days. It was not just that they lost, it was the way they lost.
The Magic gave up 100 points in each of the four games they played last week, the first such stretch since the first four games of the season when they looked completely lost. The defense did not look completely lost, but it looked very ineffective.
Orlando fell from third in defensive rating out of the top 10 to 12th. Before anything else, the Magic will have to spend this week getting their defense back under control. And even that process will not be easy.
Orlando’s schedule refuses to lighten up. The Magic had a light practice Monday, their first practice in nearly two weeks, before they headed to Atlanta to play the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. They get a back to back against the L.A. Clippers, as they start an East Coast road trip. And then they get the Brooklyn Nets on Friday and the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
It is another busy and difficult week for the Magic. But Orlando has always responded from bad weeks with good weeks. That has been the process the entire season. They will need another good week and to build some momentum for the rest of the month to make a Playoff push.
For now, they remain a mystery in this week’s Power Rankings Roundup.
Dec 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Orlando Magic forward Jeff Green (34) moves to the basket against Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated
1
Golden State Warriors
(21-4)
Last week: 4-1 recordLast rank: 1st
Gonna excuse that weird 21-point rout by the beat-up Grizzlies, and move on.21
Denver Nuggets
9-15
Last week: 2-2 recordLast rank: 22nd
The Nuggets are not that good, but this whole bottom tier of teams has been so downright awful lately that this part of the exercise is more a matter of preference. There are a few Nuggets positives: they lead the entire league in rebounds and rebound percentage, nabbing 54.1% of available boards and working both ends of the glass exceptionally well. There are young guys with a chance to be pretty good—Jamal Murray and Emmanuel Mudiay were solid prospects, neither is of legal drinking age. Wilson Chandler has bounced back fully from injury, and Nikola Jokic has looked more like last year’s player (13 points/9.1 boards/3.9 assists in his last seven should assuage some early concerns).22
Orlando Magic
10-15
Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 20th
There were rumors this week that the Magic are looking to add offense via trade. You don’t say…23
New Orleans Pelicans
8-17
Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 21st
What Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated writes in his section about the Denver Nuggets is likely very true of these bottom 10 teams. It is truly a matter of preference. And how each team is playing that week.
Orlando’s defense has slipped considerably and they got blown out in games against real teams like the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets.
Surprisingly, though, the Magic’s offense has come around some. Orlando put in two stellar offensive performances in the win over Washington and the loss to Denver. They did seem a bit empty without the Magic’s usual defensive prowess.
Nov 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (8) dunks against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Washington Wizards 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Gerald Bourget, Hoops Habit
1
Golden State Warriors
(21-4)
Last week: 4-1 recordLast rank: 1st
In a five-game week, we’re willing to overlook that embarrassing no-show in Memphis, especially since the other four games included Klay Thompson’s 60-point supernova in a 36-point win over Indiana, a 17-point win in a statement game against the Clippers, a win over Utah on the second-night of a back-to-back and a 10-point comeback in Minnesota on the second night of another back-to-back.19
Portland Trail Blazers
(12-13)
Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 17th
The flaws of this once fun team are starting to show. Though the Lakers have officially taken over the dreaded title of “NBA’s worst defense” for the time being, the Portland Trail Blazers are still sitting ugly at 28th in defensive rating.20
Orlando Magic
(10-15)
Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 20th
Mario Hezonja getting assigned to D-League duty doesn’t necessarily mean he’s on the move, but given the rumors about the Orlando Magic looking to trade for more scoring, plus this franchise’s track record of giving up on youth for more shortsighted pursuits, we’re starting to get worried.21
Denver Nuggets
(9-15)
Last week: 2-2 recordLast rank: 23rd
The Mario Hezonja question likely will be one that persists for the Magic and persists throughout the rest of the season nationally. Fans love them the potential of Mario Hezonja.
The reality is Hezonja has struggled when he is on the court. And, at least by his play so far this season, his removal from the rotation is justified. His shooting splits are extremely poor as he is shooting less than 20 percent from beyond the arc.
He got his opportunity Saturday against the Denver Nuggets and struggled, especially defensively. Juancho Hernangomez hit four 3-pointers with Hezonja overhelping in the post, a career high for the Nuggets rookie.
Dec 10, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) shoots past the reach of Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) as forward Nikola Jokic (15) positions for the rebound during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
John Schumann, NBA.com
1
Golden State Warriors
(21-4)
Last week: 4-1 recordLast rank: 1st
The Warriors had some serious highs and lows last week, but it’s far to say that the former outweighed the latter. Saturday’s visit to Memphis brought their worst offensive game of the season, with 23 turnovers and just 15 assists. But against Indiana on Monday, their third best scorer dropped 60 points in three quarters. There was a 37-19 first quarter in L.A. on Wednesday, a 19-1 run in the first quarter in Utah a night later, and a 25-4 start to the fourth quarter in Minnesota on Sunday. The avalanche comes more often than not and it’s near impossible to stop.18
Portland Trail Blazers
(12-13)
Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 17th
In Memphis on Thursday, the Grizzlies did their best to take the ball out of Damian Lillard‘s and C.J. McCollum‘s hands, and their teammates shot 24 percent (including 1-for-17 from 3-point range). In Indiana on Saturday, Lillard (first period) and McCollum (third) each scored 19 points in a quarter, but the Blazers’ defense couldn’t hold on to a 20-point lead. They’ve lost three straight and finish their five-game trip with a visit to the Clippers. The last time they were at Stapes Center (Nov. 9), they were down 48 points in the third quarter.19
Orlando Magic
(10-15)
Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 19th
After a 4-1 road trip in which they allowed just 98 points per 100 possessions, the Magic have lost three straight games, allowing 121 and getting destroyed in the paint (by a cumulative score of 170-90). When you have the league’s fourth lowest effective field goal percentage outside the paint (44.4 percent) and big frontline, you need to win the paint battle. But no team has been outscored in the paint this season more than the Magic and their paint discrepancy has been worst with their current starting frontline – Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo – on the floor together.20
Washington Wizards
(9-13)
Last week: 3-1 records recordLast rank: 25th
The Orlando Magic are seemingly a team of contradictions. Their paint defense has been poor at stretches this season — particularly early in the year. And that seemed to rear its ugly head this week too as the Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and Denver Nuggets all feasted in the paint.
And that pairing of Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo has unexpectedly struggled to defend the paint. Nikola Vucevic‘s absence was very noticeable on Saturday. And the Magic certainly could use him Tuesday in Atlanta.
The Magic right now probably have to hope their numbers bear out and the team can return to their stellar defensive play for much of the last month.
Dec 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) dribbles as Washington Wizards guard Trey Burke (33) defends during the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Marc Stein, ESPN.com
1
Golden State Warriors
(21-4)
Last week: 4-1 recordLast rank: 1st
When they lose, they really l-o-s-e; three of the Warriors’ four defeats to date came by 20 points or more after only two losses total in the 20s over the previous two seasons. Chances always were, however, that Golden State would have to endure at least one unsightly showing on such a compacted trip, which comes to an end Tuesday night in New Orleans after five games in seven days and nearly 6,000 air miles traveled in that span. The Dubs were spectacular with their ball movement in the game that mattered most, shredding the Clippers despite the fact that they didn’t even shoot the 3 well that night. So perspective is badly needed if you’re in the mood to make too much about what happened in Memphis.20
Denver Nuggets
(9-15)
Last week: 2-2 recordLast rank: 23rd
Is rebounding overrated? The 9-15 Nuggets are making that case as the league’s No. 1 team on the boards, hauling in 54 percent of available rebounds. Denver last led the league in rebounding in 1992-93, when Dikembe Mutombo was the interior anchor in the Mile High air. Speaking of famous former Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony will be back in Denver come Saturday looking for his first win at the Pepsi Center as a visitor. Since being traded to New York in 2011, Melo’s Knicks are 0-4 in Denver, with Anthony having played in three of those games.21
Orlando Magic
(10-15)
Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 19th
The Magic have yet again followed up a promising week with another worrisome one, proceeding from a 4-1 road trip, which they capped by winning in Washington despite John Wall’s 52 points, to two poor defensive showings at home (Ls to Boston and Denver) sandwiched around a 109-88 loss in Charlotte that saddled Orlando with a league-leading 10 games in which it has failed to register at least 90 points. This won’t help fan morale either: Frank Vogel says the club is weighing whether to send out-of-favor swingman Mario Hezonja, taken fifth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, to the D-League to get the minutes he’s not earning in the Magic Kingdom.22
Los Angeles Lakers
(10-16)
Last week: 0-4 recordLast rank: 18th
More maddening than anything else is the Orlando Magic’s inability to follow a good week with another good week.
This one seemed particularly worse because Orlando had such a strong week on the road and then followed it up with such a let down. The schedule did the Magic no favors, but that is not an excuse anyone can use.
The offense had its moments and then again struggled to break 90. Despite any signs of life, this is still one of the worst offenses in the league.
Dec 7, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
AJ Neuharth-Keusch, USA TODAY
1
Golden State Warriors
(20-4)
Last week: 4-1 recordLast rank: 1st
Saturday night’s 21-point loss to the Grizzlies wasn’t enough to knock the Warriors out of the No. 1 spot, especially after a week headlined by wins over the Pacers (142-106), Clippers (115-98) and Jazz (106-99).21
Sacramento Kings
(8-15)
Last week: 1-2 recordLast rank: 22nd
Kings’ Matt Barnes and DeMarcus Cousins made headlines this week, but for all the wrong reasons.22
Orlando Magic
(10-15)
Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 25th
The Magic started off the week strong with road wins over Detroit and Washington, but followed it up with three straight losses to Boston, Charlotte and Denver.23
Denver Nuggets
(9-15)
Last week: 2-2 recordLast rank: 23rd
It is still very hard to get a handle on the Orlando Magic. They have been extremely good one week and then struggled the next. This was the bad week.
And after some impressive wins, the Magic could not match their success. That is the part the team has to change as much as anything.
Dec 10, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) tries to block a shot from Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Moore, CBS Sports
1
Houston Rockets
(18-7)
Last week: 4-0 recordLast rank: 3rd
Tell me a team with a better combination of resume, signature wins, good losses and current hot streak. Tell me a team with a decisively more worthy MVP candidate, even if James Harden is right behind LeBron James or Russell Westbrook in your mind. Tell me a team that’s gone into Oracle in the past few weeks and not only beat them, but survived double overtime to beat them, which might be harder than blowing them out. Show me a team that is this much fun to watch. All Hail Morey. All Hail D’Antoni. All Hail the Rockets.22
Sacramento Kings
(8-15)
Last week: 1-2 recordLast rank: 22nd
It kind of slipped past everyone, but not only is this team bad, but it doesn’t have any good young talent in the pipeline anymore. Willie Cauley-Stein‘s almost out of the rotation. Ben McLemore is still starting but it’s more perfunctory than anything else. Where is this team going, not just this year, but ever?23
Orlando Magic
(10-15)
Last week: 1-3 recordLast rank: 17th
The Magic almost had me convinced they were not a bad team, but maybe actually good. Two blowouts and a loss to the Nuggets was a stiff reminder of how far away they remain.24
Minnesota Timberwolves
(6-18)
Last week: 0-4 recordLast rank: 26th
The Orlando Magic are the biggest teases in the NBA, that is for sure.
They gave everyone plenty of reason to believe in them last week. And then they pulled the rug out from their supporters. Just as they have done already plenty of times this season.
The Magic probably will do so again.
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