Robbins: Desmond Bane is feeling the love in Orlando

[Knightro]

A car breakdown on a busy highway usually generates intense frustration for the car’s driver and for anyone else caught in the resulting traffic jam.

But for Desmond Bane, whose vehicle conked out Wednesday on the side of an Orlando expressway, the experience offered an unmistakable sign of how happy Magic fans are now that he’s on the team.

First off, don’t worry. He’s OK. That’s the most important thing. His car’s OK, too.

It wouldn’t even be worth mentioning except for one thing: It offers a glimpse into the vibe these days in central Florida.

As Bane sat in his vehicle waiting for help and traffic plodded past, other commuters caught a glimpse of him and yelled “Bane!” That’s not too shabby considering that his trade from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Magic occurred in mid-June and he hasn’t even played in a game yet for the Magic.

Bane recounted the experience during a phone interview with The Athletic that had been scheduled early in the week. He only told the story because he had just been asked whether people in Orlando already are recognizing him when he runs errands around town.

“I haven’t been to the grocery store yet, honestly,” Bane said. “But my car broke down on the side of the road today on the highway. There was a decent amount of people screaming my name outside the window. So I think that it’s safe to say that Orlando fans are excited.”

He’s right. More buzz surrounds the Magic now than at any other time since Dwight Howard’s heyday, more than a decade ago. Orlando already had franchise cornerstones Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner on its roster, along with defensive ace Jalen Suggs. But it was Bane’s arrival, in a daring trade on Father’s Day, that demonstrated to the NBA, and to Magic fans, that the team is going all-in to try to contend in the Eastern Conference.

A 27-year-old swingman/combo guard, Bane should help Orlando address its most glaring weaknesses: a lack of 3-point shooting and subpar floor spacing. Bane is a career 41 percent 3-point shooter, and his abilities to shoot off the dribble, shoot off the catch and create his own shot made him an ideal complement to Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. Often a No. 2 scoring option alongside Morant or even a No. 1 option when Morant missed games, Bane should slot as the third option in Orlando alongside Banchero and Wagner.

Read More: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6639066/2025/09/18/desmond-bane-orlando-magic/ ($)

[RookieStar]

1. What kind of cheap-@$$ car does Bane drive that conks out in a highway

2. Sure those people were shouting in approval or just mad he was causing traffic

3. Im jokong btw

[BadMofoPimp]

1. What kind of cheap-@$$ car does Bane drive that conks out in a highway

2. Sure those people were shouting in approval or just mad he was causing traffic

3. Im jokong btw

Ya, they were yelling,"Get the "F" out of the way, Bane!"

[basketballRob]

He probably forgot gas.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

[RookieStar]

1. What kind of cheap-@$$ car does Bane drive that conks out in a highway

2. Sure those people were shouting in approval or just mad he was causing traffic

3. Im jokong btw

Ya, they were yelling,"Get the "F" out of the way, Bane!"

Must be Cole Fans....

[Orlando Dawg]

Only 1/1000 drivers would know who he is on the side of the road.

Reads like a fake AI story

[Driguez]

Only 1/1000 drivers would know who he is on the side of the road.

Reads like a fake AI story

So you make up a random number and them call the story fake like what.

[eyriq]

His acquisition turned us into a legit contender over night. He should be loved.

[TheChaser]

Yessssss! We are SO back.

[TheChaser]

His acquisition turned us into a legit contender over night. He should be loved.

Love it

[MasterGMer]

Just wait, Magic fans. Let our performance speaks for itself. Training camp in 11 days. Final countdown! Haha

[Orlando Dawg]

It feels good to get into the second round

Bring me a championship!

[RookieStar]

It feels good to get into the second round

Bring me a championship!

Dude...... why???

[drsd]

Desmond Bane on Joining the Magic: ‘Winning Is Everything’

Bringing in winners, not stat-padders, is a wonderful thing.

Bane praised the Magic organization for making his transition smooth, saying the team has done a great job welcoming him and making Orlando feel like home for him and his family.

SI link

[drsd]

Another one:

Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones reunite with Magic aiming for title contention

I am so excited!