NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario

Orlando Magic

Here’s the thing about the post-Dwight Magic: every single year there’s genuine reason to feel optimistic about them. They have a good young core! They’ll be fun to watch! If a few things go right, they might even contend for a playoff spot. And we know what happens; they start out hot, look genuinely exciting, then flame out and become entirely anonymous for the rest of the season. It’s getting a bit tiresome. And yet…I can’t help but think there is a scenario where the Magic actually give their fans an encouraging season, and some reasons to be excited for the future.

First of all, while Aaron Gordon’s development has been slow at times, he’s gradually gotten closer and closer to his full potential, and could make further strides this season. But what’s really fun to talk about is the massive combined wingspan of rookie Mo Bamba, and second-year man Johnathan Isaac, who looks to get much more playing time now that he’s healthy. These players are young, and they’ll make mistakes, but they have the potential to form an absolutely smothering front-court, one that will make multiple highlight reel blocks. Bamba became notorious for his defensive lapses in his lone year at Texas, but if he can stay focused, he’ll immediately be one of the most intimidating players in the league.

The big question here is if Steve Clifford can succeed where Frank Vogel failed, and give this team a strong defensive identity. If I’m being honest, I have a hard time seeing this team reach the playoffs even if everything goes right, because they’re too young, and too weak at the point guard position. That being said, if Bamba and Isaac can play big minutes right away, and if Clifford can keep them from slipping up, this team should be able to top 30 wins, and give its fanbase some legitimate hope that a winning season is on the horizon.