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After a 25-57 season in 2017-18, the Orlando Magic clearly have a ton of improving to do. Brighter days are on the horizon, but how much of that improvement will come this season?
With the season fast approaching, let’s turn to you, the fan, to take inventory of where the Magic will be in 82 games.
First off, Vegas sets the Magic win total at 30.5. If you had to bet a substantial amount of your own money, would you take the over or the under?
Poll
Over/under 30.5 wins
Next, let’s take a shot at predicting the team’s leading scorer. Last season, it was Evan Fournier, who narrowly edged out Aaron Gordon’s 17.6 points per game by tallying a career-best 17.8. That was Evan’s second-straight season leading the Magic, with Nikola Vucevic taking the title the two years previous. Will this be the year that Aaron Gordon leads the pack?
Poll
Who will be the Magic’s leading scorer?
This poll is closed
-
8%
Evan Fournier
(13 votes) -
71%
Aaron Gordon
(113 votes) -
12%
Nikola Vucevic
(19 votes) -
6%
Jonathan Isaac
(10 votes) -
1%
Other
(2 votes)
Now let’s talk about rebounding. With Vucevic likely taking on a lesser role as No. 6 pick Mohamed Bamba is eased in, this title may be up for grabs for the first time since his arrival. There’s plenty of length on the team, so this one’s anyone’s game.
Poll
Who will lead the Magic in rebounds per game?
This poll is closed
-
50%
Nikola Vucevic
(80 votes) -
25%
Mohamed Bamba
(41 votes) -
10%
Aaron Gordon
(17 votes) -
13%
Jonathan Isaac
(21 votes)
This one will be fun. Last season, the official Magic Twitter account got trolled into oblivion when they highlighted Shelvin Mack’s 3.9 assists per game. With Mack gone, however, who will carry on the proud tradition as the Magic’s APG leader?
Poll
Who will lead the Magic in assist per game?
This poll is closed
-
60%
D.J. Augustin
(89 votes) -
8%
Evan Fournier
(13 votes) -
23%
Jerian Grant
(34 votes) -
2%
Isaiah Briscoe
(3 votes) -
4%
Other
(7 votes)
Arguably the hardest category to sort out: blocks. The Magic core of Bamba, Isaac, and Gordon are all athletic freaks, but each has his own limitations. Who will be the leading shot-swatter in pinstripes this season?
Poll
Who will lead the Magic in blocks per game?
This poll is closed
-
53%
Mohamed Bamba
(86 votes) -
36%
Jonathan Isaac
(59 votes) -
5%
Aaron Gordon
(8 votes) -
4%
Nikola Vucevic
(7 votes)
Steve Clifford has plenty on his plate this season. But what should he be prioritizing in what will likely be another rebuilding season?
Poll
What is Steve Clifford’s most important job this season?
This poll is closed
-
14%
Improve the defense
(21 votes) -
69%
Develop the Magic’s core players
(100 votes) -
15%
Win games
(23 votes)
Jeff Weltman and John Hammond have drafted Mo Bamba and Jonathan Isaac, signed Jonathon Simmons, dealt Bismack Biyombo, acquired Jerian Grant, hired Steve Clifford and made other moves. How would you rate their job so far on a scale of 1 to 10?
Poll
On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the job Weltman and Hammond have done so far?
This poll is closed
-
10%
9-10
(16 votes) -
45%
7-8
(67 votes) -
34%
5-6
(50 votes) -
9%
Less than 5
(14 votes)
It’s well documented that the Magic don’t have great options at point guard. D.J. Augustin is expected to start on opening night with Jerian Grant and Isaiah Briscoe fighting for minutes. Who will be the Magic’s starting point guard by the end of the season?
Poll
Who will be the Magic’s starting point guard by the end of the season?
This poll is closed
-
37%
D.J. Augustin
(53 votes) -
39%
Jerian Grant
(55 votes) -
5%
Isaiah Briscoe
(7 votes) -
17%
Other
(25 votes)
What does the future hold for Mo Bamba in his career?
Poll
Mo Bamba will be....
This poll is closed
-
6%
A Hall of Famer
(10 votes) -
52%
An All-Star
(80 votes) -
37%
A solid player/starter
(57 votes) -
3%
A bust
(5 votes)
And finally, nearly every Magic season in recent memory has come with a wild plot twist.
Comment below and add your craziest theory, and remember, don’t be too quick to judge on these. If someone had told you that Victor Oladipo and a pick would be traded for Serge Ibaka in 2015, you would’ve asked Zach to ban them for trolling.
Alas, here we are, so take a shot!