Sitting 2nd in the East, Will Orlando Magic Make the Playoffs for the First Time Since the Bubble?

From last season we could conclude that the West was a bar fight while the Eastern Conference had its powerhouses. The Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics, these franchises were at the summit. After the latest offseason with Damian Lillard switching conferences and the Celtics arranging an All-Star starting five, that argument should have accented further. This season was seen by many as the era of superteams in its purest forms. However, one team lurked in the shadows, made no changes, and is now tied for the second-best record in the East. We are talking about the Orlando Magic.

Last season they finished 13th in the conference. Yes, that’s the pile of the weak teams who endured brutal slashes from the powerhouses. They put up a valiant effort towards the end, finishing only a few games from the play-in tournament. Their young core began to move the ball well, and some cornerstones began to emerge. Generally, that’s the beginning of building a competing franchise. For Orlando, they somehow figured out the secret to winning.

They have gatecrashed the Eastern Conference party and sent a seismic rumbling across the NBA. The Magic aren’t here to mess around, in fact, they are looking to make an untimely push to compete against the best.

A dream start for the Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic embarked on their journey in a tidy fashion. They had a record for 4-4. It was nothing mediocre, but for the Magic, they could see the light. Considering this same team won only five games in their initial 25 games last season, the only way to look was up. Yet, the Magic became greedy and chased for the moon. Paolo Banchero and Co. decided it was time to dethrone some of the giants, leak out the confidence the NBA world had in the contenders.

So they began with the demolition of the Milwaukee Bucks. The team might not have had Lillard at the time, but Giannis Antetokounmpo had the ball rolling on offense. The Greek Freak didn’t spare Orlando, dropping 35 points and 10 rebounds on their dom. Despite Antetokounmpo’s punishment, the Magic ran off with a stunning 112-97 win over Milwaukee. That was the first time the league was compelled to look at the Magic as legit threats.

Five members went into double figures. The harmony was on full blast. It was also a hint to be fearless. So, the Magic did just that. They have won their last five games, including a victory against the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets.

“We want to take the next step as a team,” said Franz Wagner after their eighth win of the season.

It was only when Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, and Grant Hill wore the uniform that the NBA could imagine a scenario where the city of Orlando could compete. Now, years later, it is the duo of Paolo Banchero and Wagner that has reinstalled hope within the fans. No dream is too far to chase for them.

Why is the Magic flourishing this season?

Many forget basketball is a game of knowing every person on the floor. The Golden State Warriors haven’t had a successful recipe only due to their firepower. Their 2015 underscored the importance of having unity and synergy with one another. That’s what the Orlando Magic have done. They made no major moves this offseason when the market was crammed with superstars and vital role players. Instead, they focused on creating a symbiosis with two young dynamos at the helm, Banchero and Franz Wagner.

Banchero isn’t having a breakout season by any means. He is averaging close to 20 points per contest. But his growth is evident in the trust within his teammates. In fact, that’s the story of the entire Magic team. Each Magic player had faith in the next guy. Their ball movement has been flawless. Moreover, they are playing with a surge of energy on each play.

Orlando has a lengthy roster this season with the likes of the Wagner brothers, Banchero, Jonathan Isaac, and Wendell Carter in the rotation. This has helped them establish a defensive identity that ranks the second-best in the NBA. The Magic allow only 107.5 points per game. Additionally, having quick guards like Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony has strengthened their perimeter defense. Opponents have only shot 36% against them.

That is the power of trusting your own core, retaining the same faces, and having a system that is always in tune. The dangerous part is that the Magic have only scratched the surface of success with this unit. They might not sustain the 10-5 homerun they are off on, but they will undoubtedly gain more knowledge with each game. Remember these are young players who have shown the veteran’s desire to win.

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They have a charismatic starting five that sets the tone. Then comes the dazzling bench unit who are adept on both sides of the floor. This sensational rotation and a newfound attitude is the pivotal reason the Magic are the real deal this season.

The Orlando Magic are surely in the race

As I said before, it’s tough to imagine a scenario to maintain such a high level of success. In fifteen games this season they have wins against the Lakers, Bucks, and the Nuggets, all sides favored to win a title. While they have shown promise, their finishing as a second season might not happen. As we go deeper into the season, the teams with new groups will begin adapting to their unique styles and flow far better than they are at this stage.

But the Orlando Magic are definitely a team to watch out for. After falling just short of the play-in last year, they likely won’t be in such territory again. Consider them a top 6 seed with the way their group is feeding off each other. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are expert keystones in the city seeing a playoff berth for the first time since the bubble back in 2020.

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For the Magic fans, their unrelenting support is slowly starting to manifest into a team that will upset many tough sides.