2017183keys

Josh Cohen

Protect the Rim
The Magic have a chance to be one of the better shot blocking teams in the NBA this year and it starts with Biyombo, who has superb anticipation and timing when he goes up to block a shot. Orlando ranked No. 2 in blocks during the preseason.

Improve FT%
Biyombo shot just 53 percent from the line in 2016-17. However, his form looks improved (appears to be bending his knees more) and he went 10-of-13 (77 percent) in exhibition play.

Be Pick-and-Roll Master
Biyombo sets really good ball screens, he’s an excellent roller inside and he tends to finish at the rim with authority. It just comes down to his dexterity. He fumbles entry passes sometimes.

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3 Keys for Magic's Core Players in 2017-18: Bismack Biyombo

Build Confidence
Hezonja has the potential to really blossom this season. He’s very athletic, has unlimited shooting range and is an excellent passer. He just needs to get into a rhythm and find his comfort zone.

Point Power Forward?
Frank Vogel will likely experiment with Hezonja at the four this year and have him handle the ball at that position. He may be able to take advantage of his terrific court vision and agility against slower, more methodical opponents.

Defensive Details
Hezonja has come along slowly on the defensive end. He’s starting to understand Vogel’s principles and schemes.

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3 Keys for Magic's Core Players in 2017-18: Mario Hezonja

Play Ferocious Defense
Simmons was the key to the Spurs eliminating the Rockets in the playoffs last year because of his outstanding defense on James Harden in the final two games of the series. He plays with unremitting intensity and toughness.

Initiate Contact
The Magic have ranked near the bottom in free throw attempts in each of the past five years. Simmons isn’t afraid to absorb contact on his drives. Don’t be surprised if he leads this team in FTA this year.

Be a Secondary Playmaker
An unrecognized strength of Simmons early in his career has been his passing and playmaking. He totaled 14 assists in the Magic’s final two preseason games.

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3 Keys for Magic's Core Players in 2017-18: Jonathon Simmons

Be Smothering Defensively
Isaac appears too unpolished and unrefined to be a premier scorer this season. However, he has the length, quickness and versatility to be an elite defender right now.

Utilize Athleticism
Isaac has a knack for making effective cuts and slashes to the basket. He can dodge almost any defender with his long strides and quick movements.

Help Space the Floor
Nobody expects him to be a lights out shooter at this stage of his career. However, it would be extremely beneficial for the Magic if Isaac can knock down the occasional spot-up 3-point shot.

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3 Keys for Magic's Core Players in 2017-18: Jonathan Isaac

Lock in Defensively
Perhaps the most underrated and underappreciated aspects of Ross’ game are his defensive instincts and judgment. He has terrific anticipation, which helps come up with a lot of deflections.

Be a Major 3-Point Threat
There might not be anyone in the league more erratic than Ross, who made three or more 3-pointers seven times with the Magic last year and didn't make any eight times.

Showcase Athleticism
Ross is dynamic when he gets out into the open floor. He’s a high flyer with a good Eurostep and he has an ability to knock down threes in transition when he trails the play.

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3 Keys for Magic's Core Players in 2017-18: Terrence Ross

Scoring Efficiency
Just two seasons ago Fournier was one of very few players to shoot at least 45 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line.

3-Point Consistency
The Magic have been one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league the last few years. They need Fournier, probably the team’s most reliable 3-point shooter, to habitually hit outside shots.

Make Good Decisions
Fournier is one of the craftiest players in the NBA because of his incredible footwork and body control. He just needs to figure out when to attack and when to find his teammates.

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3 Keys for Magic's Core Players in 2017-18: Evan Fournier

Be an Elite Playmaking Center
Vucevic dished out five or more assists in 15 games last season. He has good vision when he operates out of the post or when he faces up at the top of the arc.

Spread Five
More and more centers are extending their range, which is helping teams space the floor and open up driving lanes for attacking wing players. Vucevic knocked down 23 threes last year. He shot 4-of-10 from beyond the arc in the preseason.

Clean Up the Boards
Vucevic has averaged a double-double four times in his career. He’s always been a good rebounder (tracks missed shots really well and excels tapping the ball around on the offensive glass).

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3 Keys for Magic's Core Players in 2017-18: Nikola Vucevic

Thrive in Transition
An up-tempo style suits Gordon because of his athleticism, agility and hustle. When the Magic shifted to a small-ball lineup last year, AG flew up and down the court (average speed 4.39 MPH).

Improve 3-Point Shot
Gordon shot 43 percent from 3-point distance in the preseason (9-of-21). The feeling this past summer was that he would be a more complete offensive player if he can mix in a reliable 3-point shot with his cuts, slashes, alley-oops and fast break buckets.

Be the Defensive Anchor
The Magic expect to have a defensive identity. AG has shown in the past that he can be a DPOY candidate because of his length, quickness, timing and versatility.

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3 Keys for Magic's Core Players in 2017-18: Aaron Gordon

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Due to Tropical Storm Nicole, the NBA has announced that the Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic game on Wednesday, November 9 will tip-off at 5:30 PM. Amway Center doors open at 4:30 PM.