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With a roster set, we can ask if it is enough for the playoffs? Here I will assume that for that to occur various "keys" will be pointed to.

With this roster:
Augustin/Grant/Briscoe
Fournier/Ross/Iwundu
Isaac/Simmons/Frazier
Gordon/Martin/Birch
Vučević/Bamba/Mozgov

What needs to occur for the Magic to make the playoffs this year?
(up to three choices can be selected in this poll)

It would take us trading for a starting level point guard at the very least to make a serious push for a playoff spot, && then probably AG playing at an all star level as well.

DJ should skip his usual off-year and be at least as good as last year, vuc needs to keep his defensive play from last season, fournier should increase his efficiency back to his earlier seasons, gordon needs to play to his strengths more, isaac needs to be at least replicate ross's spacing and production as a starter, and our 3pt percentage from few capable guys we have that can make it should stay above 40% throughout the year. this was the formula that gave us our streak last year.

but I'm not sure if I even want this as it will not give any pointers about the direction we might head the year after. this could be our most pointless year to watch since this franchise became a thing, as even the draft odds will be more spread out.

PrimeThyme wrote:It would take us trading for a starting level point guard at the very least to make a serious push for a playoff spot, && then probably AG playing at an all star level as well.

This is really the only route for this coming season.

Other options listed make sense in coming seasons as Isaac and Bamba mature.

Hell to freeze over?

We'll give ourselves a chance when we trade for Rozier at the deadline.

I went with a mid-season trade as well. The team as currently assembled will not make the playoffs, sorry. We need a pg for sure, and a wing that can create. A deeper bench wouldn't be horrible either.

We have one of the worst rosters in the east, poor team chemistry and a mediocre coach. It will take every other team being majorly injury hit.

The option I would have picked: "Isaac needs to break out."

Making the playoffs are going to be a long shot unless one of these players takes a leap. Gordon is the closest to doing so. Every team that made the playoffs in the East last year had at least 1 all-star. Gordon or someone is going to have to breakout.

This team isn't the deepest in the league and was decimated by an uncanny number of injuries last season. Health will be equally as important if they hope to make a sustainable run.

Typically top 10 team defenses will earn a playoff spot. Isaac starting and playing meaningful minutes could/should contribute to that. There's really no reason that this team shouldn't be above average on defense.

However, this team has such a dearth of offensive skill. It's appalling how little there is on this team. The 3 best ballhandlers on this team are DJ Augustin, Isaiah Briscoe, and Jerian Grant, none of which are to write home about as playmakers. The team's leading assist man, Shelvin Mack, is no longer here. Gordon, Isaac, and Bamba are not creators, not great passers, and not proven shooters. The Magic's offense is going to be bad. It might be downright awful. And unless the Magic make a trade to add more shooting, passing, and ballhandling (essentially a legitimate point guard), I anticipate that they're going to struggle mightily on offense. This team desperately needs a trade. They are a collection of interesting young players and good veterans that don't really fit or complement one another.

That's a plethora of big "If's." Even in a depleted Eastern Conference, I just don't see it. It makes me question what exactly the end game for this season is. But that's a topic for another thread.

MagicStarwipe wrote:We have one of the worst rosters in the east, poor team chemistry and a mediocre coach. It will take every other team being majorly injury hit.

I almost had this as a poll option, but this is not something Orlando can control.

But let's say Walker (Hornets), Porter (Wizards), Love (Cavs), and Dragić (Heat) all have early season-ending injuries; that would almost lock Orlando in as competitive for the 8 seed.

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Def Swami wrote:The team's leading assist man, Shelvin Mack, is no longer here.

I cannot ever forget or forgive that this is a reality.

Frankly this is the low-light in a horrible season:

forgot green font for the 1st option?

For me the poll is too tendential. I would pick:
1. Most players healthy
2. Dj, Fournier, Vucevic featured offensively
3. Isaac improves his handle, decision making enough to take starting spot from Ross.

Bamba needs to start and be pretty good right away. The Vuc ship has sailed long ago.

DJ needs to improve his decision making on the court. Either that, or Briscoe becomes really good.

B.I.G starting and dominating together would also be crucial

Where is "an act of God"

Playoff bound on East

Boston
Toronto
Philly
Pacers
Bucks
Wizards

So in mix of Cavs, Pistons, Magic,Knicks,Heat, Nets,Hornets and Bulls Magic have to be find their way into top 8.
I leave Hawks out of this, they are bound for 12 wins.

pepe1991 wrote:Playoff bound on East

Boston
Toronto
Philly
Pacers
Bucks
Wizards

So in mix of Cavs, Pistons, Magic,Knicks,Heat, Nets,Hornets and Bulls Magic have to be find their way into top 8.
I leave Hawks out of this, they are bound for 12 wins.

So eight teams to fight out the final two playoff slots: I essentially agree.


OPP has Orlando as the #8 seed!

Orlando Magic - Could it be a pipe dream? Of course! But there’s no reason to take bets on the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers or Charlotte Hornets, either. The Magic have three lottery picks in prime position to pay off in Gordon, Isaac, and Bamba as well as the offensive potential of veterans Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic. Terrence Ross should bounce back on the wing, and Jonathon Simmons will return to the sixth man role that saw him play with great success in his limited time there last season.

OPP link

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pepe1991 wrote:Playoff bound on East

Boston
Toronto
Philly
Pacers
Bucks
Wizards

So in mix of Cavs, Pistons, Magic,Knicks,Heat, Nets,Hornets and Bulls Magic have to be find their way into top 8.
I leave Hawks out of this, they are bound for 12 wins.

Bulls grab the 7th seed, Pistons/Heat the 8th seed.

Three things- 1. Isaac becomes Durant. 2. Gordon becomes Blake Griffin 3. Bamba becomes Hakeem.


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