shaquille o'neal

none

Josh Cohen

photos-shaquille-oneal-no-32-jersey-retirement-ceremony-20240213

Photos: Shaquille O'Neal No. 32 Jersey Retirement Ceremony

ORLANDO – Of all the Orlando Magic’s offseason changes – and there were plenty with a new coach and seven new players – the most significant and telling change is the expectations for the season ahead.
  Leave it to one of the returning players – one who has suffered through multiple seasons of Orlando’s often-torturous rebuild – to pinpoint the unwavering gauntlet now facing the new-look Magic.

``I don’t think it’s a secret that we want to go back to the playoffs and if we don’t it’s going to be a bust,’’ said standout guard Evan Fournier, who returns to the Magic for a third season after signing a long-term contract with the team in July. ``It’s playoffs or bust, basically. We’re going to do everything that we can and it’s not going to be easy because there are a lot of good teams in the Eastern Conference now, but it’s going to be a good challenge.’’

The Magic hired highly successful head coach Frank Vogel, acquired heaps of veteran talent, paid handsomely to retain Fournier and prodded the blossoming young core – all in hopes of getting the Magic back into the postseason for the first time since 2012. Gone are the days of the Magic patiently waiting for their young players to mature and learn on the fly while absorbing a frustrating amount of losses. Now, there is a strong belief that the Magic have the talent, experience and coaching for the franchise to play meaningful games in April and beyond, and anything less than that standard is unacceptable.

``I wouldn’t be this way if I didn’t really believe in this team,’’ Vogel said at Monday’s Media Day of his confidence that the Magic will be postseason-worthy. ``I don’t think you can fake that type of talk and that type of belief. I really believe that this team has what it takes to make the playoffs and have success in the playoffs. Now, it’s just going to be about coming together and creating that positive chemistry and the commitment to defense, the running game and trusting the pass. If all of those things happen the way that I believe that they are, we’re going to have great success this year.’’

Orlando will start the process of building chemistry and laying the foundation for potential success on Tuesday when the team practices twice at the Amway Center. The Magic are scheduled to practice once on Wednesday, twice on Thursday and hold single sessions on Friday and Sunday before opening preseason action in Memphis next Monday.

The home-opener in the preseason, which is presented by Chase, will be on Oct. 12 when Orlando hosts the San Antonio Spurs at the Amway Center. The Magic’s regular season opens on Oct. 26 with a home game against the rival Miami Heat, who will be rebuilding following the losses of Dwyane Wade (free agency) and Chris Bosh (career-threatening injury).

Clearly, the Magic have their work cut out for them while trying to incorporate new faces Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green, D.J. Agustin, Jodie Meeks, C.J. Wilcox and Stephen Zimmerman into an existing core of Nikola Vucevic, Elfrid Payton, Aaron Gordon, Mario Hezonja and Fournier. Helping reduce the learning curve is the fact that many of the Magic’s players have been at the team headquarters for weeks working out together and getting to know one another. Potential negatives are injuries to Gordon (mild sprained ankle) and Meeks (foot surgery) that will keep the team from being completely whole from the start.

``For us as players, it’s about creating a brotherhood in the locker room,’’ said Biyombo, who was signed as a free agent to fortify Orlando’s defense with his shot-swatting abilities. ``We have to build that and find a way to compete every night. That’s one of my jobs as one of the leaders in the locker room to help us find a way to compete every night. We do that and we’ll give ourselves a chance to win every night.’’

Magic GM Rob Hennigan, who is about to enter his fifth season with the team, promised back in April that Orlando would use every means necessary to improve a squad that won 35 games in 2015-16. First, he picked up the pieces following Scott Skiles’ surprising resignation by landing the coveted Vogel, who was courted heavily by four other NBA teams after he ended a highly successful 5 1/2–year run in Indiana.

Then, Hennigan boldly traded Victor Oladipo and others on draft night for Ibaka so that Orlando could address its pressing need of rim protection. The GM didn’t stop there, adding several more veterans that should make the Magic much deeper and more versatile. More importantly, by adding players with a combined 200 games of postseason experience, Hennigan addressed Orlando’s glaring need for more mental and physical toughness.

``We did add some veterans in critical spots who can prop us up and we need the continued development of our young players with Elfrid and Aaron entering their third years now. So, the blend will help and we have a lot of guys who will complement one another and that’s important,’’ Hennigan said. ``We added a lot of playoff experience and if you’ve been there and have that experience – just by your actions that knowledge will help with them leading by example.’’

Vucevic, Orlando’s leading scorer and rebounder from each of the past two seasons, is quite possibly the player most eager to see the Magic reach the playoffs this season. He is the longest-tenured player on the roster after arriving in Orlando in July of 2012 and seeing the Magic hobble through seasons with 20, 23, 25 and 35 victories. Vucevic feels the Magic are better prepared now to make a playoff push because they have the likes of Ibaka and Biyombo, players who have played on teams that reached the NBA Finals and the Eastern Conference Finals.

``All of that experience will help us a lot because I think youth was a big issue for us in the past and we can’t use that as an excuse anymore,’’ Vucevic said. ``When you have those type of (veteran) players they can really help you when it gets tough or we go through a losing streak or something. They can help to keep the confidence up and talk about doing the little things. It’s not easy for some of us who have been here a couple of years and we lost a lot of close games. Having those veteran guys can help us win games that are close and help us get over the hump.’’

Vucevic bears watching in training camp because he will be working with Ibaka and Biyombo to try and provide the mix of scoring and defense that the Magic need from the center and power forward positions. Vogel hopes to rotate the three of them in the two positions and the versatility and shooting of Vucevic and Ibaka should help with that.

For his part, Ibaka stressed on Monday that winning should cure any issues that arise over ego, playing time or salary squabbles. Ibaka’s scoring, rebounding and blocked shot totals dropped each of the past three years in Oklahoma City, but he said that having a new start in Orlando – where he is expected to be in more of a primary role instead of a complimentary one – has reinvigorated his career.

``From the first day I met my teammates, I felt like I am winning inside already and my teammates are ready to win,’’ said Ibaka, who will be trying to regain the form of when he led the NBA in total blocks four years in a row earlier in his career. ``I’m so excited because sometimes change is good and this change is good for me. We’ve got a new coach, too, so it’s good timing for me. We’ll have a new system. We have nice guys here, exciting young players for the future and the most exciting part is the new start will give me new energy and a fresh mind.’’

In addition to having playoff aspirations, the Magic might head into the season with a sizeable chip on their shoulders. Computer projections from ESPN.com have set the Magic’s win total at 36 and odds makers are predicting that Orlando might finish near the bottom of the Southeast Division. Those projections came out before Miami (losing Bosh) and Milwaukee (losing Kris Middleton) suffered major personnel blows, but they were still significant enough to catch the attention of the Magic.

Vucevic feels that the Magic have the kind of gritty, veteran players to overcome the expectations of others and finally get Orlando back into the postseason. He knows that the unit must find ways to bridge the chemistry gap that comes with having so much newness in the roster and coaching staff. However, he is confident that Orlando is ready to win, big-time. That building process, he stressed, starts with the first time the Magic step onto the court for practice on Tuesday morning.

``If people don’t believe that we can (make the playoffs), that’s fine, but we have to work every day. Starting (with Tuesday’s first practice), we have to take it day-by day and make sure that we don’t skip any steps,’’ Vucevic said. ``We can’t just think that just because we added some pieces and added some good players that we’re going to get (to the playoffs). It’s going to take time and a lot of work. We have to understand that we’re going to have to work and grind to get there, but I think we can do it.’’

Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors.

much-to-learn-about-magic-during-training-camp

Much to Learn About Magic During Training Camp

ORLANDO – After a long, but busy offseason, training camp for the new-look Orlando Magic is set to begin on Tuesday at the Amway Center. With that in mind, here are five pressing issues to watch out for as the revamped squad begins a push that it hopes will end in the playoffs in the spring:

1. Hi, nice to meet you, my name is …: With a new coaching staff, led by Frank Vogel, and seven new roster players – 13 if you count the non-roster invitees – the Magic are loaded with new faces at virtually every position. One of Vogel’s primary missions of this training camp is to build chemistry, togetherness and trust on a team where there is so much unfamiliarity. Team building has always been one of Vogel’s strengths as a coach (See: Indiana 2010-16) and he’ll have his work cut out with a Magic roster that has been turned inside out.

Orlando GM Rob Hennigan was aggressive and active this offseason, improving the roster with every means possible. The Magic pulled off trades to get Serge Ibaka, Jodie Meeks and C.J. Wilcox, they signed Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green and D.J. Augustin in free agency and they drafted center Stephen Zimmerman.

Now, it’s the job of Vogel, to take that group and turn it into a cohesive unit that can come together quickly and thrive in all situations. Holdovers such as Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja already have a chemistry, but they too will be adapting to a fourth coaching staff in three years.

This Magic squad clearly has enough talent and experience to be successful. Now, it’s chemistry that could be the make-or-break factor in this season getting off to a solid start.

2. Playoffs or bust: Hennigan, Vogel and others in the Magic organization haven’t shied away from the fact that the primary goal of the season is to get the organization back in the postseason.

Orlando last made the playoffs in 2012 when, coincidentally, it was eliminated in the first round by Vogel’s Pacers. The rebuild following Dwight Howard’s defection was often a rocky one, but now the organization feels that it has the talent, experience and coaching to be a playoff contender once again.

Various computer models and bookmakers have the Magic projected to win just 36 games and miss the playoffs again. However, Orlando feels it can defy those odds and be one of the true surprise teams in the NBA.

Defending champion Cleveland is a lock to make the playoffs, but the East is otherwise up for grabs. Boston made big improvements and could push the Cavs, but others such as Toronto, Miami, Charlotte, Atlanta and Chicago suffered major losses over the summer. Other teams, such as Orlando, New York and Indiana, drastically re-tooled their rosters, making the battle for playoff spots in the East a battle every night.

3. Let’s be Frank: The NBA world was stunned last May when Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird made the decision not to retain Vogel, who had led the team to the playoffs five times in his 5 ½ seasons in Indy. Bird and Vogel remain friends today, and the breakup was merely Bird’s philosophy that teams need a new voice every three-to-four years.

Indiana’s decision proved to be a boon for the Magic. Soon after his departure from the Pacers, Vogel had interviews with five different teams. He ultimately decided on the Magic because of the franchise’s strong ownership, its wealth of talent and the opportunity to live in Central Florida. (Vogel grew up in New Jersey a block from the beach and admitted he was living close to the salt air again.)

Vogel prides himself as a confidence-builder and he’s thrived in large part because of the strong relationships that he’s built with his players. He’ll be more teacher than drill sergeant in Orlando and the hope is that his style will bring out the best in the Magic’s young talent.

That style has allowed Vogel to post a 250-181 career record and a 31-30 playoff ledger that includes two trips to the Eastern Conference playoffs.

4. DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE!: The Magic made strides defensively last season and then they went out and added some major upgrades on that end of the floor that should make them downright dominant defensively.

First, Vogel was brought into the mix and he will submit his impressive abilities as a coach who demands stingy, hard-nosed defense. In Indiana, his last five teams all finished in the NBA’s top-six in field-goal percentage allowed and all six of his teams were top-10 in total defensive efficiency.

Ibaka and Biyombo will give the Magic two elite-level shot blockers to keep the likes of LeBron James, John Wall and Dwyane Wade away from the rim – a major problem in years past. At the end of games, the Magic can potentially put a lineup of Biyombo, Ibaka, Green, Gordon and Payton – five defensive stoppers – on the floor to frustrate foes.

5. Where will the scoring come from? Sure, the Magic are loaded with top-notch defenders, but there are major question marks about whether or not this squad has enough scoring and outside shooting. Another foot injury to Meeks – he is likely out until at least mid-November following surgery – didn’t help matters as they relate to the team’s 3-point shooting.
  Vucevic and Fournier were two of the team’s top three scorers last season and the Magic will need each to take on more of a scoring role now. Fournier shot 40 percent from 3-point range in what was a career year last season, while Vucevic – the NBA’s top shooter from 15-19 feet last season – has worked to expand his shooting range to the 3-point line.

Ibaka said that he is motivated by being in a role where he is looked to more as a scorer instead of the complementary position he had in Oklahoma City where he was asked to play off of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Also, Ibaka has expressed an interest in being more of a pick-and-roll player who crashes to the rim for lobs and offensive boards as opposed to being a pick-and-pop player who settles for 3-point shots.

Where the Magic can make the biggest strides offensively is with more growth from youngsters such as Gordon, Payton and Hezonja. All three worked extremely hard this offseason on their jump shots, their mid-range games and their ability to create plays off the dribble. Gordon and Payton will be dared to shoot by the opposition and if they can knock down perimeter shots at a solid percentage they will make the Magic offense much more diverse and powerful.

Hezonja gained great confidence and improved skill by spending most of the summer playing for a Croatia squad that reached the Olympics. The Magic have such faith in Hezonja that part of the Victor Oladipo trade was centered around freeing up more playing time for the 6-foot-8, 225-pounder. Hezonja proved himself to be an exceptional passer and a plus shooter as a rookie, and the belief is that he will only be better this season now that he is more familiar with the NBA and living in America.

5-magic-things-to-watch-in-2016-17

5 Magic Things to Watch in 2016-17

ORLANDO – Between moving his family to Central Florida, learning everything that there is to know about Orlando, familiarizing himself with his new Orlando Magic players and shuttling his girls to separate soccer practices, Frank Vogel has had a whirlwind offseason.

Highly successful as head coach of the Indiana Pacers for 5 ½ seasons, Vogel surprisingly found himself out of work on May 5. He wasn’t unemployed long as the Magic worked feverishly to hire one of the NBA’s most respected head coaches.

Vogel, 43, had a host of choices, and he opted to become Orlando’s head coach on May 20. Landing Vogel allowed the franchise to score big in the offseason with a head coach who is highly regarded for his teaching abilities, game management and good-natured approach.

Of all the Magic’s offseason acquisitions – and there have been plenty with seven new faces on the roster Vogel might have been the biggest one of all. He brings stability and smarts to the Magic – traits that Pacers superstar forward Paul George raved about as Vogel was leaving Indiana and taking over in Orlando.

The offseason change has forced Vogel to go at warp speed this summer as he’s tried to familiarize himself all things Orlando. Along the way, he’s encountered several Magic fans out in the Central Florida community and he’s already picked up a thing or two from them.

``They’re ready and they’re excited,’’ Vogel said of the Magic fans he’s talked to. ``They’ve been very complimentary of the job that I did in Indiana, they’ve talked about being excited about me being here and they believe in the talent here the same way that I do. They are frustrated that they haven’t been able to get over the hump the last couple of years, but they believe in this team and they are ready to start winning. And I’m right there with them.’’

With his first training camp in Orlando set to open on Tuesday at the Amway Center, OrlandoMagic.com sat down with Vogel to discuss defense, playoff expectations, defense, the talent on the roster, defense, his coaching style and, well, more defense. Without further ado, here’s the question-and-answer session with Orlando’s new head coach:

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: You have said since May that there were so many things that drew you to this job with the Magic, citing ownership, management, the roster and living in Orlando. What is your excitement level heading into the start of training camp in a few days?

COACH VOGEL: ``My excitement level is a 10 out of a 10, especially because I have such belief in this team. There are a lot of things that I want to get incorporated right away. I think our style of play is going to be fun for our guys and for our fans. And I really think that all of these guys are really thirsty to win. The attitudes here are really strong and I’m looking forward to getting to know these guys better.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: With a new coaching staff and so many new players, how much of your first training camp with the Magic going to be about building chemistry and that offensive and defensive togetherness that you have spoken previously about?

COACH VOGEL: ``No question, a lot of our camp is going to be a lot about that (building of chemistry). One of the most important things that you can achieve as a team is positive chemistry. If you don’t achieve that, you’re not going anywhere. So we’ll talk about that all the time. My job is to scheme-wise tie together the parts on the court while letting their individual games find each other. That’s just going to come with time. It’s my job to see to it that all of the guys are working together on both ends.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: You’ve built your reputation in the NBA as one of the game’s best defensive coaches. Considering the talent on the roster, how special of a team can the Magic be on the defensive end of the floor?

COACH VOGEL: ``We do have some really good defensive talent and it’s going to come down to how well they learn, how well they commit and how important (defense) is to them. We’re going to put them in positions to have great defensive success. We’re going to drill the heck out of it in practice and it’s going to be something that’s one of the most important things for us. We want to take pride in being a great, great defensive team.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: The trend all throughout the NBA is playing ``small ball,’’ yet the Magic went out this summer and acquired two big other men to pair with 7-footer Nikola Vucevic. Because both Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo have the lateral quickness to switch out onto perimeter players, how much will that give you the flexibility to play big lineups against smaller teams?

COACH VOGEL: ``I think that (defensive ability of Ibaka and Biyombo) is huge. And, really, I think that’s the way that I would build a team if I was starting from scratch. To have the ability to not have to change your lineup every night – if you’re playing a big team, you don’t have to take your smalls out; and if you are playing a small team, you don’t have to pull your bigs. When you have bigs who are versatile and can play both styles then you can stay true to who you are every night. By not changing every night you are able to strengthen what you do.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: I know that, as a coach, you want to see how the various combinations look on the court playing together before making a final decision, but how do you see the big-man rotation with Vucevic, Ibaka and Biyombo playing out?

COACH VOGEL: ``They’re all going to have to be ready to play big minutes. I don’t think we’ll see a lot of Serge at (center) early on because of Vooch’s and Biz’s abilities. But that is an option if need to go that way and we’d be in a good position to do it because Aaron (Gordon) and Jeff Green can slide into (power forward) some.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: Even though you are coaching most of these players for the first time, you know for the most part what you will be getting from the veteran players on the roster. Conversely, it’s young players such as Aaron Gordon, Mario Hezonja and Elfrid Payton who have the most room to grow. Do you see their ability to improve as major keys to the Magic being able to make a dramatic jump this season?

COACH VOGEL: ``They’ve all got to continue to improve, so that’s big for us. The first couple of years in this league, you’re still trying to figure things out and Mario will still have some of that this year. But he has ability right now. People call it upside and potential, but he has the ability to have on-the-court success right now. With him, it’s really going to be about minimizing mistakes and being in the right spots defensively. When guys are able to be solid in those areas, their minutes go up and then their talent comes out. That’s what we’re looking for from all three of those young guys.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: A recurring theme, it seems, among fans and national media is that while this Magic team will likely be fearsome defensively, there are questions about the offense. Can you score enough and do you have enough perimeter shooting?

COACH VOGEL: ``We’ll see. I have the same question marks. We do definitely have more defensive talent than offensive talent, but we’ve got some guys who can score the ball and know how to play. More importantly, we’ve got guys who can run and we want to be a running team. When we get stops on the defensive end, then it’s going to be a track meet and we’ll be in attack mode.

``Elfrid is one of the best open-court guys in terms of going coast to coast, getting into the paint and making things happen. Aaron Gordon, obviously, is a great runner. (Evan) Fournier can run for threes and Serge is a great runner for a big guy. So we’ve got some great athleticism on the offensive end. But they’ve got to come together, move the basketball, take good shots and honor all of the offensive principals that lead to good basketball.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: Since taking over the job here in Orlando you have stressed repeatedly that you feel this team has the talent to be in the playoffs this spring. However, projections by ESPN and Las Vegas have the win total set at around 36. What has to happen for the Magic to greatly exceed those expectations and get into the playoffs?

COACH VOGEL: ``When you’re making a meal, you have to look at the ingredients that you have. The ingredients that I’m looking at look good. I feel like I have the ingredients here to get the job done. Obviously, things have to go our way and we’ll need a little bit of luck along the way as does every team that is successful. But you’ve got a team here that is going to be great defensively. When you defend and rebound and you trust the pass on the offensive end, you’re going to have the ability to win a lot of games. We have the ability here to do all of that.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: Now, let’s shift gears and go into rapid-fire mode and get your thoughts on a variety of different topics.

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: How would you describe your coaching style?

COACH VOGEL: ``I’d say I have a confidence-building type of approach. I’d say that I teach more than I yell. I partner up with these guys and don’t behave like a drill sergeant. I work together with them to get the job done. This is me using my knowledge and my ability to analyze ourselves and our opponents to put together great plans in terms of building our system and getting our team ready game-to-game. I partner up with these guys to build a winning product.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: What have your conversations been like with Serge Ibaka? What have you learned about him? What are his motivations?

COACH VOGEL: ``He really cares about the defensive end. He likes to play defense, but he’s been very inquisitive about how we’re going to get the job done. He’s been almost challenging me, telling me, `We’ve got to make sure this happens, make sure that happens and make sure the other guys are in the right spots.’ He wants the unit to perform on the defensive end and it’s not just about him stopping his man. He’s very bright and I think he’s going to be a defensive leader.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: Coaching Indiana last spring, you faced Bismack Biyombo for seven games in the playoffs. He went on to play ever better against Miami and Cleveland. Can he play like that for a full season?

COACH VOGEL: ``Absolutely because that’s who he is. He just hasn’t had the opportunity to play those types of minutes before. He’s one of the best offensive rebounders in the game. And, statistically, he was the best rim protector in the game last year. In terms of field goal percentage against, he led the league. So he’s going to be a big-time, big-time presence for us.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: You and GM Rob Hennigan were forced to get to know one another quickly last May before you were hired and then the two of you worked closely during the free-agent courting period. What have you learned about working with him?

COACH VOGEL: ``He’s really bright and it gives me confidence knowing that he’s really smart about this business. In terms of evaluating talent, putting pieces together and understanding the cap, he’s great. Also, in how he reads the organization, he’s a togetherness guy as am I. People like working with him and for him. We all know that he’s going to put the right guys in their spots and let them do their jobs.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: What are the strengths of the coaching staff you have assembled around you?

COACH VOGEL: ``I think we have good experience and intelligence. Chad Forcier is one of the best assistant coaches in the NBA and I don’t care what he was called in San Antonio (as a player development coach). You talk to anyone in the league and he’s one of the most revered, reputable and respected assistant coaches in the league. So he’s going to be great in helping manage us.

``David Adelman is a brilliant Xs and Os guy, as is Corliss (Williamson). Corliss is a great leader and he did a really good job being a head coach in college, so he understands (that role). Having been a head coach, Corliss is going to help me a lot with managing the game and managing the team. And, obviously, Jay Hernandez is a great player development coach.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: In a league where you can never have enough shooting, you need Jodie Meeks’ ability to knock down 3-pointers at a high rate. How long will you be without him as he recovers from the fractured bone in his foot?

COACH VOGEL: ``Probably quite a bit and he’s going to take some time to get back. We probably won’t have him to start the season, but hopefully soon after that.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: You’ve coached against Vucevic for five years and you got to see him deliver a masterful performance last spring against your former Indiana team. How much are you going to need his scoring and perimeter shooting on the floor?

COACH VOGEL: ``He’s going to be one of our most important offensive players and one of our most important players, in general. The versatility that he has, that’s what makes him so special. You can throw it to him down low and ask him to get (a basket) himself. He’s great in the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop game and you can space him out on the floor to allow Bismack, Serge or any of these other guys to roll to the basket. He’ll get our guys spacing because he has a unique skill set. We’re going to need him.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: Which describes you better – loves to win or hates to lose?

COACH VOGEL: ``Hates to lose! But I’m not sure what that says about me.’’

ORLANDOMAGIC.COM: Chemistry leads to winning? Or winning leads to chemistry?

COACH VOGEL: ``I’d say both, but I think chemistry leads to winning first.’’

qa-with-frank-vogel

Q&A with Frank Vogel

ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic had one of their busiest offseasons in franchise history, hiring a new coach and drastically overhauling the roster through trades, free agency and the draft.

Now, with training camp set to open on Tuesday, it’s time to delve deeper into the roster and evaluate the team’s strengths and weaknesses at each position.

The Magic stacked their roster with experience and talent this offseason by trading for Serge Ibaka, Jodie Meeks and C.J. Wilcox, signing Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green and D.J. Augustin and drafting center Stephen Zimmerman. That group, combined with the returning core of Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton, Mario Hezonja and C.J. Watson and new head coach Frank Vogel, gives the Magic the belief that they will be a playoff team this season for the first time since 2012.

Training camp, presented by Chase, opens on Sept. 27 (at the Amway Center), the first preseason game (in Memphis) is Oct. 3 and the regular-season opener (vs. Miami at home) is Oct. 26.

Today, we look at the point guard position, a spot that the Magic need big things from with the expected growth of Payton and the depth provided by Augustin and Watson. And, if needed, Orlando can always use the 6-foot-8 Hezonja at point guard to get more shooting and size onto the floor.

Without further ado, let’s break down how the Magic look at point guard:

PLAYERS: Elfrid Payton (6-4, 185, 2 NBA seasons); D.J. Augustin (6-0, 183, 8 NBA seasons); Watson (6-2, 175, 9 NBA seasons); Mario Hezonja (6-8, 218, 1 NBA season).

PROJECTED STARTER: Payton (2015-16 stats: 73 games, 10.7 ppg., 3.6 rpg., 6.4 apg., 43.6 FG percent, 32.6 3FG percent, 58.9 FT percent).

PROJECTED DEPTH: Augustin (2015-16 stats: 62 games, 7.5 ppg., 1.5 rpg., 3.2 apg., 42.3 FG percent, 40.5 3FG percent, 80.5 FT percent); Watson (2015-16 stats: 33 games, 4.3 ppg., 2.0 rpg., 2.7 apg., 34.3 FG percent, 29.2 3FG percent, 87.2 FT percent); Hezonja (2015-16 stats: 79 games, 6.1 ppg., 2.2 rpg., 1.4 bpg., 43.3 FG percent, 34.9 3FG percent, 90.7 FT percent).

STRENGTHS: In Payton, Augustin and Watson, the Magic have a good mix of playmaking, shooting and experience. Payton improved as a playmaker last season, especially during the stretch when the Magic had Dewayne Dedmon starting at center and rolling directly to the rim for lobs. Now, Payton will have both Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo as big men who can screen and dive to the rim, making him especially dangerous when he gets into the paint. GM Rob Hennigan addressed Orlando’s depth behind Payton by pursuing and landing Augustin, a solid veteran leader who is comfortable as both a starter and a reserve. Orlando needs a big bounce-back season from Watson, who missed most of last season with a calf strain that caused pain to radiate into his knee.

WEAKNESSES: As it has been each of the past two seasons, Payton’s jump shot is still very much a work in progress. He improved between his rookie season and his second season, making 19 more 3-pointers last year. Until he can consistently make midrange shots, wide-open 3-point looks and free throws, Payton will be sagged off of defensively – something that often hinders Orlando’s offense. Augustin is just a 40.4 percent shooter in his career and he occasionally has trouble finishing around the rim because of his lack of size. Watson never found his rhythm last season because of injuries and had career lows in field goal percentage (34.3 percent) and 3-point shooting (29.2 percent).

ANALYSIS: Orlando desperately needs a breakout season from Payton, who is entering the prime of his career and has shown flashes of greatness over his first two NBA seasons. Payton has worked hard this summer on his jump shot and strengthening his body in hopes of becoming a better finisher when left open by defenses.

Payton struggled for long stretches early last season in Scott Skiles’ system that relied more on passing than dribbling. However, the point guard finished the season strong, averaging 9.9 points, 7.5 assists and 1.1 steals a game while shooting 45.8 percent from the floor in the 25 games after the all-star break. If he can duplicate those numbers again this season, the Magic would be delighted.

Augustin has bounced around the NBA, playing for seven teams previously, but he’s long been considered one of the NBA’s best back-up point guards. He thrived in that role late last season, averaging 11.6 points and 4.7 assists while shooting 44.5 percent from the floor and 41.1 percent from the 3-point line in 28 games with the Denver Nuggets.

Augustin has started 169 of his 573 NBA games, so he should be quite comfortable moving into the starting five if Payton slumps again.

Much like with Augustin, the Magic signed Watson as a free agent in the summer of 2015 because of his shot-making abilities and his veteran savvy. However, he was never able to show those qualities last season because of the disjointed nature of his play due to the leg injury. If he can defend and shoot the ball the way that he has throughout his career, he could potentially close games for the Magic.

Hezonja is a nice insurance policy for the Magic to have at the point guard position because of his size and his exceptional court vision. He was arguably Orlando’s best distributor in pick-and-roll plays last season, so he can shift over to the point again this season if needed.

2016-17-magic-position-breakdown-point-guards

2016-17 Magic Position Breakdown: Point Guards

Now, with training camp set to open on Tuesday, it’s time to delve deeper into the roster and evaluate the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

The Magic stacked their roster with experience and talent this offseason by trading for Serge Ibaka, Jodie Meeks and C.J. Wilcox, signing Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green and D.J. Augustine and drafting center Stephen Zimmerman. That group, combined with the returning core of Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton, Mario Hezonja and C.J. Watson, gives the Magic the belief that they will be a playoff team this season.

Today, we look at the shooting guard position, a spot that was made much clearer by the offseason trading of Victor Oladipo to free up more playing time for Fournier and Hezonja. Fournier proved to be one of the NBA’s most efficient and productive shooting guards in the NBA last season and he was rewarded with a long-term contract this summer. Hezonja, the fifth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, is expected to make a big leap this season following a rookie season filled with several flashes of greatness.

Without further ado, let’s break down how the Magic look at shooting guard:

PLAYERS: Evan Fournier (6-7, 205, 4 NBA seasons); Mario Hezonja (6-8, 218, 1 NBA season); C.J. Wilcox (6-5, 195, 2 NBA seasons); Jodie Meeks (6-4, 210, 7 NBA seasons); Nick Johnson (6-3, 202, 1 NBA season); Kevin Murphy (6-6, 185, 1 NBA season).

PROJECTED STARTER: Fournier (2015-16 stats: 79 games, 15.4 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 2.7 apg., 46.2 FG percent, 40.0 3FG percent, 83.6 FT percent).

PROJECTED DEPTH: Hezonja (2015-16 stats: 79 games, 6.1 ppg., 2.2 rpg., 1.4 bpg., 43.3 FG percent, 34.9 3FG percent, 90.7 FT percent); Wilcox (2015-16 stats: 23 NBA games, 3 ppg., 0.5 rpg., 0.4 apg., 39.4 FG percent, 39.1 3FG percent, 75 FT percent); Meeks (2015-16 stats: 3 games, 7.3 ppg., 1.7 rpg., 1.0 apg., 35 FG percent, 44.4 3FG percent, 100 FT percent); Johnson (2015-16 stats: 28 NBA games, 2.6 ppg., 1.4 rpg., 0.4 apg., 34.7 FG percent, 23.8 3FG percent, 68 FT percent); Murphy (2015-16 stats: 17 NBA games, 0.9 ppg., 0.2 rpg., 0.1 apg., 25 FG percent, 20 3FG percent, 0 FT percent).

STRENGTHS: While the Magic don’t have an established all-star at the shooting guard position they do have two rising standouts in Fournier and Hezonja to man the position. Both possess great size, shooting range and a surprising knack for finishing around the rim. Clearly, their best basketball is yet to come and that could mean big things for the Magic considering that Fournier is coming off another career year. The steady improvement of Hezonja – a dynamic player because of his playmaking skills and shooting range – could be a major factor in the Magic’s ability to make the playoffs this season. When healthy, Meeks also gives the Magic another solid shooter from afar. However, he missed most of last season with a fractured foot and he’ll open training camp in a walking boot following a second surgery. Getting him back and knocking down shots from afar could be another big key for the Magic.

WEAKNESSES: An argument could be made that there’s not much proven depth behind Fournier considering that Hezonja, Wilcox, Johnson and Murphy have little experience at the NBA level. Meeks is a proven NBA commodity and he has a track record of being a clutch 3-point shooter, but his recent injury history is a major concern. Quelling the Magic’s fears somewhat is the fact that reserve point guards C.J. Watson and D.J. Augustin can both play shooting guard because of their solid shooting strokes and their basketball smarts. Both could see time there late in games when the Magic are trying to load the floor with shooters for spacing purposes.

ANALYSIS: GM Rob Hennigan faced a difficult dilemma in the offseason: Fournier or Oladipo at shooting guard? Stacked against one another statistically, Fournier won that comparison and the Magic acted accordingly. They turned Oladipo into Ibaka in a trade and they locked up Fournier to a lucrative, long-term contract.

Fournier averaged career highs in scoring, rebounds, assists, steals and minutes last season. He led the team in scoring 19 times, had 24 20-point games and two 30-point nights. He had the game-winning 3-pointer against Minnesota on Nov. 18, the go-ahead basket for a win versus Houston on Dec. 23 and converted a game-tying layup in the final seconds of regulation against Dallas on Feb. 19 – a game that the Magic went on to win. Also, Fournier was one of just eight players in the NBA to shoot at least 45 percent from the floor, 40 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the 3-point line this season, joining Golden State’s Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard, Charlotte’s Marvin Williams, Los Angeles’ J.J. Redick, New York’s Jose Calderon and Sacramento’s Darren Collison.

Hezonja could very well be the most important player on the roster this season because his potential improvement could mean everything to the Magic. If Hezonja can take another big jump with his play – meaning he’s more aggressive offensively and more aware defensively – he could see a big jump in his minutes and his production. Hezonja can play both shooting guard and small forward and his ability to drill the 3-point shot and run the pick-and-roll makes him a very valuable piece to the Magic.

Meeks will miss all of training camp and most likely all of the preseason as he recovers from a fractured bone in his foot. Because they already have a shortage of shooting, the Magic desperately need Meeks to be healthy enough to play the majority of the season. He’s made at least 38 percent of his 3-point shots four times in his career and that reliable shot should earn him minutes as a top reserve.

Wilcox has played only sparingly the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Magic are eager to give him a look because of his intriguing size and shooting stroke. In two NBA seasons, he’s made 16 of 42 3-point shots (38.1 percent).

Johnson, a standout on the Magic’s summer league team, is in a fight for a roster spot, as is Murphy.

2016-17-magic-position-breakdown-shooting-guards

2016-17 Magic Position Breakdown: Shooting Guards

Now, with training camp set to open next week, it’s time to delve deeper into the roster and evaluate the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Training camp opens on Sept. 27 (at the Amway Center), the first preseason game (in Memphis) is Oct. 3 and the regular-season opener (vs. Miami at home) is Oct. 26.

Today, we look at the power forward position, one that was dramatically improved on draft night back in June with the bold acquisition of Ibaka. GM Rob Hennigan made the difficult decision to part with Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and No. 11 pick Domantas Sabonis for the shot-swatting forward who should give the Magic their best defensive presence since the 2011-12 season. The Magic can also go big at power forward with center Nikola Vucevic filling that slot or cat-quick small forwards Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green muscling up to play there.

Without further ado, let’s break down how the Magic look at power forward:

PLAYERS: Serge Ibaka (6-10, 235, 7 NBA seasons); Nikola Vucevic (7-0, 260, 5 NBA seasons); Aaron Gordon (6-9, 220, 2 NBA seasons); Jeff Green (6-9, 235, 8 NBA seasons); Damjan Rudez (6-10, 228, 2 NBA seasons); Cliff Alexander (6-8, 245, 1 NBA season); Arinze Onuaku (6-9, 255, 2 NBA seasons).

PROJECTED STARTER: Ibaka (2015-16 stats: 78 games, 12.6 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 1.9 bpg., 47.9 FG percent, 32.6 3FG percent, 75.2 FT percent).

PROJECTED DEPTH: Vucevic (2015-16 stats: 65 games, 18.2 ppg., 8.9 rpg., 1.1 bpg., 51 FG percent, 75.3 FT percent); Gordon (2015-16 stats: 78 games, 9.2 ppg., 6.5 rpg., 1.6 apg., 47.3 FG percent, 29.6 3FG percent, 66.8 FT percent); Green (2015-16 stats: 80 games, 11.7 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 1.7 bpg., 42.9 FG percent, 31.4 3FG percent, 74.5 FT percent); Rudez (2015-16 stats: 33 games, 2.3 ppg., 0.6 rpg., 0.3 apg., 40.3 FG percent, 34 3FG percent, 100 FT percent); Alexander (2015-16 stats: 8 NBA games, 1.3 ppg., 0.8 rpg., 0.3 bpg., 50 FG percent); Onuaku (2015-16 stats: 17 games in Philippines Basketball League, 18.7 ppg., 17.4 rpg., 1.47 bpg., 65.8 FG percent, 48 FT percent)

STRENGTHS: The Magic have tremendous depth and versatility at the power forward position, something that should give head coach Frank Vogel a host of options on a nightly basis. First and foremost, Ibaka is an all-star level player who can affect the game on both ends of the floor, especially as one of the game’s best shot-blockers. If there is foul trouble or an injury, Vucevic can play at the power forward position alongside of center Bismack Biyombo because of his ability to stretch the floor with his tremendous perimeter shooting. And on the nights when the Magic are in need of matching up with the smaller ``space and pace teams,’’ Gordon and Green give them two dynamic choices as players who can play inside or out and guard multiple positions.

WEAKNESSES: The Magic don’t have any glaring weaknesses here, but if there is one below-the-radar issue it’s that the team doesn’t have a true ``stretch-four’’ because of the subpar 3-point shooting from the group. Ibaka worked to become a solid 3-point shooter, but he is coming off a season where he shot a career-worst 32.6 percent from beyond the arc. Also, he is just a 35.5 percent shooter from 3 for his career. Vucevic was the NBA’s best shooter from 15-19 feet last season and he’s worked this offseason to expand his range. He drilled a handful of 3-point shots from the international line in EuroBasket qualifying while playing for his home country of Montenegro. In his NBA career, Vucevic has made just seven of 26 3-point shots – most of them coming hurriedly at the end of the shot clock or at the end of quarters. Gordon (28.9 percent career 3-point shooter) and Green (33.9 percent career 3-point shooter) also need to show improvement from the 3-point line to give the Magic more offensive weapons.

ANALYSIS: After experimenting with Glen Davis, Channing Frye and Tobias Harris at the power forward position in recent years, the Magic went out and solved their issues at that spot with the bold acquisition of Ibaka. Ibaka, who turned 27 years old on Sunday, was unhappy with his complementary role in Oklahoma City and the Magic believe that he will flourish now that he is given more responsibility on both ends of the floor. Critics point to Ibaka’s scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking production falling each of the past three years, but the Magic’s belief is that he will be reinvigorated with his new team. The veteran has been in Orlando working out with his new teammates and trainers for six weeks and he seems poised to have a career year. Doing that could very well guarantee him the long-term security that he is seeking.

Vogel will be trying to use three players – Ibaka, Vucevic and Biyombo – at two positions and Vucevic’s versatility will allow him to be utilized at two spots. If Vucevic can stretch the floor out to the 3-point line with consistent accuracy, it will help the Magic become a much more diverse offense. Orlando will likely need Vucevic’s scoring and shooting abilities on the floor as much as possible this season.

Gordon and Green give the Magic great flexibility with their abilities to play both inside and out. When they are playing at the power forward position they will be asked to use their quickness to make plays out of the pick-and-roll and their speed to outrun foes down the floor.

Onuaku, a Syracuse product who spent last season playing in Israel and Philippines, is an intriguing player to watch in training camp because of his massive size, rebounding abilities in traffic and his soft touch with his left hand. He was the MVP of the Southwest Airlines Orlando Pro Summer League after leading the Magic’s White squad to a 5-0 record and the league championship. In those five games against mostly D-League and rookie talent, Onuaku averaged 14.8 points and 7.8 rebounds while making 62.5 percent of his shots. His ability to score on gritty post-up plays could land him one of the final spots on the regular-season roster.

2016-17-magic-position-breakdown-power-forwards

2016-17 Magic Position Breakdown: Power Forwards

Now, with training camp set to open in less than two weeks, it’s time to delve deeper into the roster and evaluate the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Today, we look at the small forward position, one that holds great intrigue because of the many options that head coach Frank Vogel will have. GM Rob Hennigan and his staff did a solid job over the summer fortifying the Magic’s wing positions and Vogel should have the positional versatility that he wants at the small forward slot.

Without further ado, let’s break down how the Magic look at small forward:

PLAYERS: Aaron Gordon (6-9, 220, 2 NBA seasons); Jeff Green (6-9, 235, 8 NBA seasons); Mario Hezonja (6-8, 218, 1 NBA season); Evan Fournier (6-7, 205, 4 NBA seasons); Damjan Rudez (6-10, 228, 2 NBA seasons); Branden Dawson (6-6, 225, 1 NBA season).

PROJECTED STARTER: Gordon (2015-16 stats: 78 games, 9.2 ppg., 6.5 rpg., 1.6 apg., 47.3 FG percent, 29.6 3FG percent, 66.8 FT percent).

PROJECTED DEPTH: Green (2015-16 stats: 80 games, 11.7 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 1.7 bpg., 42.9 FG percent, 31.4 3FG percent, 74.5 FT percent); Hezonja (2015-16 stats: 79 games, 6.1 ppg., 2.2 rpg., 1.4 bpg., 43.3 FG percent, 34.9 3FG percent, 90.7 FT percent); Fournier (2015-16 stats: 15.4 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 2.7 apg., 46.2 FG percent, 40.0 3FG percent, 83.6 FT percent); Rudez (2015-16 stats: 33 games, 2.3 ppg., 0.6 rpg., 0.3 apg., 40.3 FG percent, 34 3FG percent, 100 FT percent); Dawson (2015-16 stats: 6 games, 0.8 ppg., 0.7 rpg., 0.0 apg., 40 FG percent, 0.0 3FG percent, 100 FT percent).

STRENGTHS: In Gordon, Green, Hezonja and Fournier, the Magic have a deep cast of talented and versatile wing players. Gordon and Green both have the size, strength and lateral quickness to match up against some of the bigger forwards in the Eastern Conference such as LeBron James, Paul George, Nicolas Batum and Paul Millsap. Hezonja had flashes last season where he showed the potential to be an elite shooter and playmaker, but his defense and physicality need to dramatically improve. Fournier can play either wing slot as evidenced as his success at both shooting guard and small forward. His 6-7 height seems to surprise some and that length allowed him to hold his own against the likes of Dwyane Wade, James Harden and George defensively. Rudez is an intriguing camp invitee because of his familiarity with Vogel when the two of them were together in Indiana and his ability to knock down 3-point shots against collapsing defenses.

WEAKNESSES: Whether Gordon or Green are on the floor, the Magic will likely be at a deficit when it comes to 3-point shooting. That makes the improvement and flexibility of Hezonja – who can play both shooting guard or small forward – all the more important. Orlando is eager to see the progress that Gordon has made on his 3-point shot following another summer of work on his mechanics and stroke. Gordon’s ability to knock down wide-open corner 3-pointers could be one of the major keys to the offense this season because teams are going to dare him to take – and make – perimeter shots. The Magic figure to have Bismack Biyombo, Serge Ibaka and Elfrid Payton on the floor for long stretches, so if Gordon and Green can’t provide steady long-range shooting, the offense could have major issues in spreading the floor properly. Rudez’s ability to shoot the ball as a 6-10 wing player could dramatically help his chances of making the roster out of training camp.

ANALYSIS: The growth of Gordon and Hezonja and the consistency of Green could very well qualify as the biggest factors of the season for the Magic. Orlando pretty much knows what it has in Vucevic, Biyombo, Ibaka, Fournier and Payton, but Gordon and Hezonja are enigmas because of their vast potential, youth and relative lack of experience. Green, meanwhile, has been an enigma much of his career, showing stretches of all-star play and stretches where he is far too passive and indifferent.

Gordon made a major leap from his first season to his second season and the Magic are hopeful that because of his smarts, maturity and off-the-charts athleticism that he is ready for another big jump in terms of production. Gordon benefitted greatly from moving into the Magic’s starting lineup last season, averaging 11.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 37 games with the starting five. He made 29 more 3-point shots last season than he did as a rookie and Orlando hopes he can duplicate that growth this year.

Green spent time with Memphis (53 games) and the L.A. Clippers (27 games) last season, splitting between the starting lineup (41 times) and being a reserve (39 times). Green was at his best against the Magic on Jan. 25 when he converted a dunk, stole the inbounds pass and hit a buzzer-beating jumper to force overtime. In the extra period, Green put the finishing touches on a 30-point, eight-rebound masterpiece. That performance came during a five-game run where he averaged 24 points and 5.4 rebounds while making 11 3-pointers and shooting a robust 60.2 percent from the floor. A week later, however, Green’s production tailed off and he was dealt to the Clippers before the NBA trade deadline. Clearly, the Magic are hoping that they get the player who has the ability to take over games with his rare combination of size, speed and athleticism.

A professional basketball player since he was 13 years old, Hezonja showed the Magic last season that he could handle the enormity of the NBA. At times, he was the team’s best playmaker in pick-and-roll sets and he evolved into being a feared shooter from beyond the 3-point line. Now, the Magic need him to attack the game on the defensive end of the floor with an equal amount of vigor. If Hezonja is stronger, more physical and more aware defensively, he could play big minutes at both shooting guard and small forward this season.

Gordon and Green can also play power forward, potentially opening up more minutes for Hezonja’s shooting and playmaking at small forward.

Again, the Magic have loads of talent and versatility at the small forward position and it will be interesting to see how Vogel gets the best out of each player to make the spot one of great strength. And if Gordon and Hezonja are dramatically better and Green can find a level of consistency, those factors could go a long way in helping the Magic make a major jump this season.

2016-17-magic-position-breakdown-small-forwards

2016-17 Magic Position Breakdown: Small Forwards

ticketmaster

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

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.