NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
So, 9 games into the season the Orlando Magic are 5-4 and with a bounce of the ball here or there the record could be much better. Not the biggest sample size by any means but here are some trends I have noticed already. There is no reason to jump out the window this early in the campaign so relax Magic fans lots of ball to play.
The large lead that was given up to the Mavericks was not ideal as the boys were outscored 64-36 and at times it was ugly. This was the third time this season a first-half lead was blown and resulted in a loss and a trend that needs to stop.
There are lots of reasons for this you could say injuries and being a young team blah blah blah. Moe Wagner gave his take, “We’re still in the game of five minutes ago, we can’t put our head down and that’s part of being young as well,” Wagner said. “To learn from that and even though we were up then you’re down and then feels like you lost already… No, you gotta keep fighting.”
What I have taken away early is this team can compete with the big boys as all the losses have come against Western Conference playoff teams, and leads were lost. Not to mention a tasty blowout win IN L.A. versus the Lakers. Lessons like how to play with a lead, and how to keep the same level of intensity all game long come to mind.
Coming into the season Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner were tapped as the stars and leaders of the team and have been just that. In a win over Milwaukee, both played aggressively and set the tone for the team. Getting help from bench players is never a bad thing and we are starting to see it more often. Coach Mosley has talked about it a lot and we are finally seeing some of the defensive effort he wants. It starts on that end of the floor for the Magic. We are clogging passing lanes, forcing bad shoots, and defending the 3-point line better.
A bright spot has been the way they are attacking the boards ranking first in second-chance points which ties into the 5th spot for offensive rebounds. Rebounding is all about want, and effort things every coach screams for. Having Jonathan Issac in the middle healthy changes so many things from the 3-point line down to having a real rim protector. When Wendall Carter Jr starts to play better it will add another layer to things on both sides of the floor.
Looking ahead this week a return to the In-Season Tournament with games against the Bulls and Nets. And a Sunday tilt with the Indiana Pacers. The season will of course be full of ups and downs but the pieces are on the board, now it is up to Mosley and company to put the puzzle together.
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