2018-19 Magic Position Previews links

[drsd]

The Magic's website is currently full of pro-Homer stories. But then gets deeply reflective in evaluating the roster.

Together it is clear that the Magic is planning to start Isaac and Gordon together, with Fournier playing SG, with Augustin and Vučević rounding out the opening night starters. But that nobody knows what will come of the PG and C slots this year.

2018-19 Magic Position Preview: Point Guards

Quite possibly no spot on the Orlando Magic’s roster will hold more intrigue this season than that of point guard after the franchise chose to mostly stand pat there this offseason.

2018-19 Magic Position Preview: Shooting Guards

For years, Steve Clifford has admired shooting guard Evan Fournier from a distance and marveled at his improvement and highly efficient play from the shooting guard position.

2018-19 Magic Position Preview: Small Forwards

Still a couple of weeks shy of his 21st birthday, forward Jonathan Isaac has a game that is very much in a similar place as that of his Orlando Magic.

2018-19 Magic Position Preview: Power Forwards

Which Aaron Gordon will the Orlando Magic get this season – the one who was dominant and seemingly bound for stardom early in last season or the one who was oft-injured and out of sync late?

2018-19 Magic Position Preview: Centers

Plenty of intrigue is sure to surround the Orlando Magic in the upcoming season what with them having a new coach, a potentially transformational new big man and a couple blossoming young players seemingly on the verge of making big leaps.

[rcklsscognition]

Sounds like another coach that's going to fall in love with Fournier to the delight of so many around here.

[Mauro Pedrosa]

Sounds like another coach that's going to fall in love with Fournier to the delight of so many around here.

Same old Magic

[JBSouthpaw]

Our point differential was only - 4.8, we have to get better by 2 shots defensively, and 1 shot offensively.

[VFX]

So everything is tied to the development of Isaac and his outside shot. What could go wrong?

[drsd]

What could go wrong?

[fendilim]

Sounds like another coach that's going to fall in love with Fournier to the delight of so many around here.

Do you really think we have any better option at that position??

[yoyojw17]

Sounds like another coach that's going to fall in love with Fournier to the delight of so many around here.

I love fournier.... the only thing that burns is the fact that we had to toss up between him and Oladipo.... and Oladipo blossomed. there would be much less sourness about him if dipo stayed.... mediocre.

[J the Drafter]

Sounds like another coach that's going to fall in love with Fournier to the delight of so many around here.

I love fournier.... the only thing that burns is the fact that we had to toss up between him and Oladipo.... and Oladipo blossomed. there would be much less sourness about him if dipo stayed.... mediocre.

I really don’t get this idea. The Oladipo trade was clearly about bringing in a starting caliber power forward and defensive big (which we've lacked since the days of Glen Davis), combined with a significant overestimation of Ibaka’s ability level. There was never any reason we couldn’t have signed both Victor and Evan if we wanted to.

[Optimus_Steel]

Our point differential was only - 4.8, we have to get better by 2 shots defensively, and 1 shot offensively.

I haven't look at the league wide stats but almost -5 point differential sounds like a lot.

[Optimus_Steel]

We've been waiting for this team to shot 3s well for more than a half decade...

[JBSouthpaw]

Our point differential was only - 4.8, we have to get better by 2 shots defensively, and 1 shot offensively.

I haven't look at the league wide stats but almost -5 point differential sounds like a lot.

6th worse in the league.

[Knightro]

I expect Clifford is lean pretty heavily on Fournier and Gordon for big minutes. I'm optimistic he'll also lean on Isaac since he can effectively defend multiple positions.

I am almost positive than Bamba isn't going to play as much as people will want him to be playing.

[Optimus_Steel]

Our point differential was only - 4.8, we have to get better by 2 shots defensively, and 1 shot offensively.

I haven't look at the league wide stats but almost -5 point differential sounds like a lot.

6th worse in the league.

Its not as easy as saying we got to make 3 more baskets or stop 3 more baskets from the other team.

[drsd]

Its not as easy as saying we got to make 3 more baskets or stop 3 more baskets from the other team.

In the same number of attempts per game, if the Magic:

made 1 more three a game, the team goes from 35.1% to 38.5%
protect 1 more three a gain, the opponent goes from 36.2% to 32.6%

Clearly these are not achievable goals, and thus the Magic should not expect this kind of 6-point differential.


..

[JBSouthpaw]

Its not as easy as saying we got to make 3 more baskets or stop 3 more baskets from the other team.

In the same number of attempts per game, if the Magic:

made 1 more three a game, the team goes from 35.1% to 38.5%
protect 1 more three a gain, the opponent goes from 36.2% to 32.6%

Clearly these are not achievable goals, and thus the Magic should not expect this kind of 6-point differential.


..

multiple small increases in many stats could also do it.
1 more def. rebound = 1 less opp possession, 1 more Off. Reb = 1 more for us.
1 half a steal better a game, 1 half a block better a game. 1 less turnover a game.
These all add up to chances of bettering that number, even if shooting percentages stay the same.

[JBSouthpaw]

last year,
we were 17th in FGA, 85.9
on Def. we were 21st allowed 87.5
We scored 1.20 point per possession
Gave up 1.24 per possession

If we switched FGA, (us having 87.5, allowing 85.9)and kept the same PPP we'd drop our diff to -1.5
If then, if we dropped opponent PPP .02 pts per possession, WE"D actually have a positive Diff of +.2

It really isn't that far off.

[drsd]

multiple small increases in many stats could also do it.
1 more def. rebound = 1 less opp possession, 1 more Off. Reb = 1 more for us.
1 half a steal better a game, 1 half a block better a game. 1 less turnover a game.
These all add up to chances of bettering that number, even if shooting percentages stay the same.

This is really the key Coach Clifford looks towards. Just a 1% improvement in all statistical categories would result in several points differential, which would lead to many more wins over the season. It actually, really is that easy!

[yoyojw17]

Sounds like another coach that's going to fall in love with Fournier to the delight of so many around here.

I love fournier.... the only thing that burns is the fact that we had to toss up between him and Oladipo.... and Oladipo blossomed. there would be much less sourness about him if dipo stayed.... mediocre.

I really don’t get this idea. The Oladipo trade was clearly about bringing in a starting caliber power forward and defensive big (which we've lacked since the days of Glen Davis), combined with a significant overestimation of Ibaka’s ability level. There was never any reason we couldn’t have signed both Victor and Evan if we wanted to.

I'm just pointing that out. the only reason for the sour apples for people that gets under everyones skin is the fact that dipo blossomed. which might even have been attributed his rubbing elbows with westbrook and might have never happened if he stayed here. we never know! But if BIG works out.... fournier will be a great compliment!