The Orlando Magic’s 2014-2015 season did not live up to expectations. In a rather hectic season that involved a mid-season coaching change, and lacking depth and experience, making the playoffs and having a successful season was hard to accomplish.
Last season, the Magic were in the bottom 10 in both points per game and points allowed, as well as bottom 10 in rebounding. Despite three go-to scorers in Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris, and Nikola Vucevic, the Magic found scoring to be problematic at times. Additionally, the Magic had a top-10 rebounder in Vucevic, but struggled on the glass as a team.
As for defense, the Magic’s defense improved in the second half, thanks to improved play by rookie guard Elfrid Payton, as well as DeWayne Dedmon becoming a valuable rim protector to play alongside Vucevic.
Ultimately, besides rebounding, the Magic’s biggest flaws were coaching, depth, and three-point shooting. They have addressed those needs very successfully, as they have hired the well-regarded Scott Skiles as their new head coach and have added depth and shooting with the acquisitions of Mario Hezonja, C.J. Watson, and Shabazz Napier. All three of those players are very capable three-point shooters, which will provide the Magic with the offensive boost that they need.
Conversely, the Magic lost a good portion of the end of their bench from the 2014-2015 season. Earlier this week, Ben Gordon signed with the Golden State Warriors, Luke Ridnour was tossed around in the early offseason via multiple trades, Willie Green is yet to sign an extension, and the Magic traded Maurice Harkless to Portland for a conditional draft pick. Thus, the Magic lost the end of their bench, and strengthened the main portion of their bench instead. Orlando’s bench now consists of Watson, Hezonja, Aaron Gordon, Jason Smith, and Evan Fournier.
Expectations have to be growing in Orlando, as they are running out of excuses, according to Victor Oladipo on media day on Friday. With their main core entering somewhere between their second and fifth seasons, the Magic should be expected to make a push towards the playoffs. The Magic has been stuck in a rebuild situation since Dwight Howard left town, and this year could be the year they exit the rebuild and make a run for the seven or eight seed in the improving Eastern Conference.
Overall, Orlando has a lot to look forward to this year. From the exciting new additions of Mario Hezonja and C.J. Watson, to a former Magic great as a head coach, the Magic have a lot of promise for the 2015-2016 season. However, in a projected growth year for the Eastern Conference, it might not be as easy to secure the eighth seed as it was in previous years.