josh cohen

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Josh Cohen

ORLANDO - Not that long ago, it was a foreign concept for frontcourt players to be primary or secondary playmakers. This was assumed to be the exclusive function of the point guard, with exceptions here and there.&nbsp;

That has significantly changed in recent years. Some of the NBA’s best playmakers occupy frontcourt positions such as Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Miami’s Bam Adebayo, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, L.A.’s LeBron James, Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Toronto’s Scottie Barnes and Orlando’s Paolo Banchero.&nbsp;

The Magic, in fact, have two high-end frontcourt playmakers, with Franz Wagner possessing that skill as well. If they opt to add another playmaker – someone who can orchestrate the offense from any position, backcourt or frontcourt – there could be several quality choices in this year’s draft at pick No. 18, or even No. 47.

Among the better ones in this draft class are Matas Buzelis, who played for the now defunct G League Ignite last season, Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham, Serbian Nikola Topić, Pittsburgh’s Carlton Carrington, USC’s Isaiah Collier, Marquette’s Tyler Kolek, Colorado’s Tristan da Silva, and Weber State’s Dillon Jones.

While Buzelis and Dillingham are widely projected to be lottery picks, most, if not all of the others, should be available when the Magic are on the clock.&nbsp;

Topić has been a hot topic lately after partially tearing his left ACL in a finals game for Crvena zvezda against Partizan Belgrade in Serbia’s Adriatic League. Before the injury, many thought he was a lock to be selected in the top 10 in the draft. Now, because of his medical situation, that’s no longer a certainty.&nbsp;

Playmaking is his greatest strength. During his stint last season with Mega Basket, which landed him as part of a loan agreement with Crvena zvezda, the 6-foot-6 guard averaged 6.9 assists across 13 games.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, back in the U.S. in the college ranks, Carrington dished out 136 assists, seventh most in the ACC. In his very first college game at Pitt, he recorded a triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against North Carolina A&T.&nbsp;

“Understanding the game just at a different perspective,” he said at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago about his growth over the last year. “Coming from a high school league where I didn’t have to think that much – I just get the ball and score, whatever the case may be. Really thinking the game – I got a 25-year-old that can really shoot the ball, I got a 21-year-old that can catch all these (lobs). Understanding different roles, how to maneuver with an older team. Obviously, that’s what I have to get used to trying to get to the next level.”

While it was Bronny James that got most of the attention at USC this past season, the best player on the Trojans was Collier, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound guard from Atlanta. In 27 college games, he averaged 4.3 assists, fourth most in the Pac-12, to go along with 16.3 points.&nbsp;

As a senior at Wheeler High School, the school in Marietta, Georgia that Jaylen Brown attended years earlier, he was named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and the McDonald’s All-American Game MVP.

Kolek, a 6-foot-1, 197-pound point guard, had a great senior season at Marquette, where in 31 games he averaged 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists. His 239 total assists were second most in the Big East and seventh most in the country. In each of the Golden Eagles’ first two games of the 2024 NCAA Tournament – against Western Kentucky and Colorado – he dished out 11 assists. He also had an 18-assist game on Feb. 21 against DePaul.&nbsp;

He feels that all his college experience will help him make an immediate impact at the next level.

“I’m more mature than a fresh 18-year-old that just had one year of college or came from the G League Ignite,” said the 23-year-old from Cumberland, Rhode Island. “Definitely feel I’m more prepared, more ready to impact winning right away, the second I step on the floor. Everything in life is experiences, and I feel I’ve had a lot of them leading up to this point.”

In addition to being a very good perimeter shooter, da Silva has a high basketball IQ, which translates into him making excellent decisions from the forward spot. That was glaring during a game against Miami on Dec. 10, when he flirted with a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Jones out of Weber State is similar in that way. The 2023-24 Big Sky Player of the Year, who has drawn comparisons to Josh Hart for his versatility, toughness and hustle, averaged a conference-best 5.2 assists to go along with 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals. The 6-foot-6, 235-pounder from Columbia, South Carolina posted one of NCAA’s most impressive stat lines last year when he racked up 30 points, 23 rebounds, nine assists and three steals against Northern Colorado on Feb. 29.

“I fit into (the NBA) in multiple ways,” he said at the combine. “When you take how I improved this year at Weber (State) in an on-the-ball role and things like that, I continued to establish myself as one of the best players in the country on a college level…I think I improved in a lot of things.”&nbsp;

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

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Playmaking A Skill Several Of This Year’s Draft Prospects Excel At

ORLANDO - One of the Orlando Magic’s main weaknesses during the 2023-24 season was 3-point shooting. They ranked 24th in 3-point percentage and made a league-low 11 threes per contest. 

In their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, there was a stark difference in their shooting at home versus on the road. In the three games combined at Kia Center – all victories – the Magic shot 36.4 percent from downtown, while in the four games in Cleveland combined, they shot just 26.9 percent.&nbsp;

If they want to add a shooter or two in this year’s draft, there will likely be some quality options at picks 18 and/or 47.&nbsp;

Some of the better outside shooters in the class include Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham and Antonio Reeves, Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht, Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter, Colorado’s KJ Simpson and Tristan Da Silva, Duke’s Jared McCain, UConn’s Cam Spencer, Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman, Washington State’s Jaylen Wells and Miami’s Kyshawn George.

Sheppard, Dillingham and Knecht will almost certainly be off the board before the Magic select at No. 18, but the others could be in play at either that slot or even possibly at No. 47.&nbsp;

Reeves, who played two years at Kentucky after three at Illinois State, shot an SEC-best 44.7 percent from beyond the arc on 188 attempts last season. The 6-foot-4 guard from Chicago scored in double figures in all but one of his 33 games in 2023-24, including against in-state rival Louisville on Dec. 21 when he dropped in a season-best 30 points. Although it came in a shocking loss, he racked up 27 points and made five triples against Oakland in the Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament.&nbsp;

Even though he wasn’t very efficient, making 34.1 percent of his 220 3-point attempts as a freshman at Baylor this past season, Walter has the ability to shoot from long range off the dribble and after off-ball movement. He has a quick release and good balance when he squares up to the basket. His best collegiate scoring game came in Baylor’s first contest of the season on Nov. 7 when he erupted for 28 points against Auburn.&nbsp;

Since the college season ended, the 19-year-old has been training with Phil Beckner, a prominent development coach who also works out with Damian Lillard and other NBA players. &nbsp;

“He’s really just been helping me,” Walter said at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. “Dame is one of his strongest people mentally in the league. He’s just been giving me a bunch of books, a lot of videos…I just don’t think anybody in this draft class has the same mindset as me.”

Arguably, the most improved 3-point shooter in college basketball last season was Simpson, who went from shooting 27.6 percent from beyond the arc as a sophomore to shooting 43.4 percent as a junior. His 79 made triples in 2023-24 were sixth-most in the Pac-12. The 6-foot-2 point guard, one of three draft prospects out of Colorado this year, drilled six 3-pointers during his 30-point game against USC on Feb. 17.&nbsp;

Known for making big plays in clutch moments, Simpson connected on a game-winning jumper from the right baseline with 1.7 seconds left against Florida in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.&nbsp;

His college teammate Da Silva, who’s from Germany, was one of the best stretch fours in the country last year. The 6-foot-8, 217-pounder buried 39.5 percent of his 162 3-point attempts with the Buffaloes in his senior campaign. He was scorching from distance in the NCAA Tournament, going 9-of-16 in Colorado’s three games combined. Perimeter shooting is probably his second primary strength, though, with playmaking topping that list.&nbsp;

“My basketball IQ is one of my strengths – making the right reads, making the right passes. Obviously, my shooting as well,” he said at the combine. “And then my versatility. I can guard multiple positions. I can switch onto multiple positions. That’s all they do in the NBA, is switch is around. I feel comfortable out there guarding a lot of people.”

McCain was very erratic in his one year at Duke, but when he was on, there weren’t many players in the country more prolific than him. Twice, he knocked down eight triples – first against Florida State on Feb. 17 and then again in the Blue Devils’ Round of 32 NCAA Tournament game against James Madison on March 24.&nbsp;

Spencer played a big part in UConn’s national title run this past season. After three years at Loyola in Maryland and one at Rutgers, the 6-foot-4 sharpshooter transferred to UConn for his final college season, where he drilled 44 percent of his 225 3-point attempts. His 99 made triples were third-most in the Big East.&nbsp;

The Spencer family has quite an interesting sports background. Cam’s brother Pat, who was a two-way contract player for the Golden State Warriors in 2023-24, was one of the best lacrosse players in NCAA history. Cam was also a lacrosse player growing up, which he says helps him in basketball.

“I think a lot of footwork. The two-man game is a little different between lacrosse and basketball, but the pick-and-roll is a lot of two-man game in lacrosse,” he said at the combine. “Between the footwork, the vision and passing ability that you can take from both sports really translates into lacrosse as well.”&nbsp;

Another Big East star last season was Scheierman, who knocked down 38.1 percent of his 289 3-point attempts last season at Creighton. His 110 made threes were most in the conference in 2023-24. Before transferring to Creighton in 2022, he played three seasons at South Dakota State, where as a sophomore he shot 43.8 percent from downtown and 46.9 percent as a junior.&nbsp;

Wells, formerly a Division II college player at Sonoma State before transferring to Washington State, shot 41.7 percent from 3-point distance on 168 attempts in his one season for the Cougars. Twice, the 6-foot-8 forward connected on six threes in a game – first on Feb. 8 against Oregon State and then against on Feb. 22 against Arizona.&nbsp;

Originally from Switzerland, George has been one of the biggest mock draft risers the last couple months. For the Hurricanes last season as a freshman, the 6-foot-8 swingman sank 40.8 percent of his 130 3-point attempts. His best game in college came on Jan. 6 when he poured in 21 points and hit five threes against Wake Forest.&nbsp;

“I think I’m very versatile, so I try to pick up from different (players),” he said at the combine. “Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) handling the ball, Klay (Thompson) shooting, (Luka) Doncic pace…People often look at me like a 3-and-D guy. He just shoots the ball. But I think I can do way more than that.”

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2024 NBA Draft Class Filled With Quality Outside Shooters

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic won 13 more games in 2023-24 than the prior year, mostly because of their defense. They had the league’s third-best defensive rating and held their opponent to under 100 points 23 times, tied with Minnesota and New York for most.&nbsp;

If the Magic want to add another defensive ace to their roster in this year’s draft, there could be an assortment of options to choose from at pick No. 18 and/or No. 47, depending on who is still on the board.&nbsp;

Backcourt-wise, some of the better defenders in this year’s draft include UConn’s Stephon Castle, Providence’s Devin Carter, Virginia’s Ryan Dunn, Houston’s Jamal Shead, Kansas’ Kevin McCullar Jr., and Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman.

Castle, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound combo guard, helped the Huskies as a freshman win their second consecutive NCAA championship last season and sixth in school history. The Covington, Georgia native had a terrific final four, posting 21 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal in the semifinals against Alabama and 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal in the final against Purdue.

“I feel like it’s an advantage if you are (as) good (of a) two-way player as you can (be),” he said at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. “I feel like the past year I had, I had a great defensive year and I am trying to build on that.”

Carter, the son of former NBA player and current Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach Anthony Carter, is a 6-foot-5, 195-pounder who had a breakout season at Providence last season as a junior. He started his collegiate career at South Carolina before transferring to Providence after his freshman campaign. In 2023-24 for the Friars, the 22-year-old from Miami ranked fourth in the Big East in steals per game with 1.8 of them to go along with averaging 19.7 points, a whopping 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and one block.

Twice during his sophomore year, he collected five steals, including on Jan. 1, 2023 against DePaul when he also recorded 22 points and four blocks.

“I think defense is going to get you on the court, whether you are making shots or not,” he said at the combine. “I take pride in playing defense. I especially don’t like my man to score. If we can get stops as a team, I think that’s the easiest way to score – in transition.”

Dunn, whose brother Justin Dunn played professional baseball for the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds, is a complete defender. Most unique about him is that at 6-foot-8, 208 pounds, he’s an exceptionally good shot blocker. Last season at Virginia, he led the ACC with 77 blocks, which also ranked 11th&nbsp;in the entire nation.&nbsp;

On Feb. 17, he blocked seven shots against Wake Forest. On the game’s final possession, with the Cavaliers up two, he forced the Demon Deacons’ Cameron Hildreth into a tough fadeaway jumper at the buzzer that rimmed off. He also had a six-block game against eventual Final Four participant NC State on Jan. 24.

Shead, a 6-foot-1 guard out of the University of Houston, ranked second in the Big 12 in total steals last season with 80 of them. He also was second in the conference in assists with 233 of them. In 2023-24, the Manor, Texas native was named both the Big 12 Player of the Year and the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, which goes to the nation’s most outstanding defender.&nbsp;

“That’s my forte,” he said during an ESPN special on him during the season. “I don’t get buckets like a lot of guys, but a lot of guys can’t get buckets on me. That’s my calling card.”&nbsp;

Another Big 12 standout this past season was McCullar out of Kansas.&nbsp; The 6-foot-7, 212-pounder had a breakout season for the Jayhawks, averaging 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.4 blocks. Like Shead, McCullar was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team.&nbsp;

While best known for his outside shooting, Scheierman out of Creighton is as tough and gritty as they come. He’s one of the best rebounding guards in NCAA history. This past season, the Aurora, Nebraska native averaged 9.0 rebounds per contest, second most in the Big East. His 289 defensive rebounds were fourth-most in the entire country. In 2023-24, he had 17 double-digit rebounding games, including on March 2 against Marquette when he pulled down 16 of them.&nbsp;

As far as frontline defenders, some of the better ones in this draft include Alexandre Sarr out of France, UConn’s Donovan Clingan, Baylor’s Yves Missi, Indiana’s Kel’el Ware, and Dayton’s DaRon Holmes II.

While Sarr and Clingan are widely expected to be top five selections, Missi, Ware and Holmes are each projected to be mid to late first round picks.&nbsp;

Named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team as a freshman last season, Missi averaged 1.5 blocks for the Bears. Born in Belgium and raised in Cameroon, the 6-foot-11, 229-pounder moved to the United States in 2021 and ended up playing at two high schools – West Nottingham Academy in Colora, Maryland and then Prolific Prep in Napa, California.&nbsp;

Twice at Baylor, he rejected five shots, including on Dec. 20 against Duke. His 51 total blocks were third-most in the Big 12 last season.

Ware, meanwhile, is one of the better switch defenders in this draft. At 7 feet, 230 pounds, he’s capable of guarding all five positions with his ability to stay connected to players on the perimeter. An Indiana transfer from Oregon, he was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team last season.

“I’m able to move my feet,” he said at the combine. “Able to defend the perimeter, defending guards. I’ve been working on it this whole (pre-draft).”&nbsp;

All three years he was at Dayton, Holmes earned a spot on the All-Atlantic 10 Defensive Team. This past season, he was both the conference’s co-Player of the Year with Richmond’s Jordan King and the Defensive Player of the Year. He had 13 double-doubles in 2023-24, including against Arizona in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament when he posted 23 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block.

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There Are Plenty of Talented Defensive Prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft

The Orlando Magic made 25 shots during the 2023-24 regular season in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime with the score differential within three points. Paolo Banchero made 14 of them, the third-most in the league this season. Only Steph Curry (22) and DeMar DeRozan (19) made more.&nbsp;

Here were Banchero’s most memorable ones:

After Lauri Markkanen put Utah up one with a 3-pointer with 20.1 seconds remaining, Banchero countered with a go-ahead left-handing driving layup with 14.0 seconds left. The Magic would get a stop on the Jazz’s ensuing possession to help secure a 115-113 victory.

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Paolo Banchero Game Winner vs. Jazz (11/2/23)

The score knotted up at 94 after Zach LaVine hit a second consecutive 3-pointer, Banchero backed down Alex Caruso in the post and connected on a turnaround jumper in the lane with 1.4 seconds left to lift the Magic to a 96-94 win in Chicago. 

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Paolo Banchero Game Winner vs. Bulls (11/15/23)

Four of those 14 clutch shots from Banchero came in this game, ultimately won by the Kings in double overtime. Among them was a tying layup with 1.1 seconds left in the first OT off an inbounds pass from Chuma Okeke. 

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Paolo Banchero Game-Tying Shot vs. Kings (1/2/24)

Down the stretch of a thriller in Miami, Banchero knocked down two straight mid-range jumpers – the first pulling Orlando within one with 1:10 left and the second giving them the lead with 39 seconds remaining. The Heat, however, would go on to win after Bam Adebayo hit a mid-range jumper of his own with 18.1 seconds left. 

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Paolo Banchero Clutch Shots vs. Heat (1/12/24)

Needing a three to tie it, Banchero delivered with a triple over the reach of both Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu with 8.4 seconds left. Dejounte Murray responded, however, on the game’s final possession with a game-winning jumper at the buzzer. 

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Paolo Banchero Game-Tying 3-Pointer vs. Hawks (1/17/24)

Despite feeling under the weather, Banchero stepped up in the final seconds with a game-winning AND-1 jumper over Jalen Duren with eight-tenths of a seconds left to propel the Magic to a thrilling 112-109 win in Detroit. 

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Paolo Banchero Game Winner vs. Pistons (2/24/24)

Franz Wagner made three of those 25 shots, including a go-ahead AND-1 driving layup with 20.6 seconds left in Chicago on Nov. 17. He also connected on a go-ahead floater with 45 seconds remaining against the Hawks in Mexico City on Nov. 9.&nbsp;

Jonathan Isaac had two of them – both putbacks off offensive rebounds (at Timberwolves with 1:17 left on Feb. 2 and vs. Bulls with 1:06 left in OT on Feb. 10). Cole Anthony also had two – a reverse layup with 1:47 left at Denver on Jan. 5 and a go-ahead driving layup with 27 seconds remaining vs. Kings on March 23. Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz and Caleb Houstan each made one.

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Paolo Banchero Was One of NBA’s Most Clutch Performers in 2023-24

ORLANDO - A couple weeks ago, the Orlando Magic and AdventHealth held a basketball clinic for a few dozen youth from the Levy-Hughes Boys & Girls Club in Parramore. Afterwards, the teenagers that attended were surprised with tickets to Game 4 of the Magic’s first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.&nbsp;

On Friday, another Central Florida Boys & Girls Club got a big surprise. This time, it was at the Universal Orlando Branch Foundation on Raleigh Street, where representatives from the Magic, including Community Ambassador Bo Outlaw, and AdventHealth came by to renovate the teen room with a new television, study tables, gaming chairs, pop-a-shot, a foosball table, gaming consoles, an NBA Jam Arcade system, video games and board games.

There were also updates added to the club’s “quiet room,” including new furniture and mental health resources for youth. In addition, the Magic and AdventHealth provided the entire club with Papa Johns pizza.

“We are really excited to be able to offer this opportunity to the Boys and Girls Clubs, which has been a long-standing partner of the Orlando Magic and OMYF (Orlando Magic Youth Foundation),” Magic Executive Vice President of Marketing and Social Responsibility Shelly Wilkes said. “Through our partnership with AdventHealth and our run in the playoffs, we wanted to really give back and find a project and opportunity to really support the kids in our community.

“I think it’s really important for the Magic to be engaged with the youth of our community in a multitude of ways. And this is just one of those ways where we can provide a safe space for them, provide excitement, provide engagement, and provide a place that they want to come to every day – so that they can enrich their lives and be positive influences on their peers as well.”

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida is to “inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.”

Every day after school, as well as all summer long, the clubs provide a safe and caring experience for children between the ages of 6 and 18 from Central Florida’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods, at no or little cost to their families. By providing academic support, extracurricular opportunities and guidance from positive adult role models, the clubs aim to break the cycle of poverty for future generations.&nbsp;

Having organizations such as the Magic and AdventHealth do all they do for the community is a game changer – not only for the resources they provide, but also for the spirit and compassion that the kids feel when they come around. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I think it’s incredible,” said Charlene Cypress, service director at the Universal Orlando Branch Foundation Boys & Girls Club. “I think that the kids see role models such as the Magic, and they see those figures as someone that they want to be like. But to have the two bridge the gap between the Magic and Boys and Girls Club provides them with the opportunity to say, ‘the same that they did, I can do too.’”&nbsp;

As partners for 30 years, the Magic and AdventHealth are committed to enhancing the healthy, active lives of players, fans and the Central Florida community. Together, they’ve gone above and beyond throughout these years to help youth reach their full potential.

“For us as the Orlando Magic, one of the key elements of who we are as an organization is to support the community and really be that fabric for Central Florida,” Wilkes said. “When we have partners like AdventHealth that can come alongside us and do that, it’s extremely important. We always say that every day in the community is gameday. That is truly what we believe. It’s how we operate as an organization, and we are so thankful that AdventHealth is that partner that can come alongside us and do that – and to be able to support the Boys and Girls Clubs, which do amazing work.” 

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Orlando Magic and AdventHealth Team Up for Local Boys & Girls Club Teen Room Renovation

Off the court, on an annual basis, the Magic give more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 7,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, the OMYF, which serves at-risk youth, has distributed more than $29 million to local nonprofit community organizations over the last 34 years.

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Orlando Magic, AdventHealth Surprise Local Boys & Girls Club With Teen Room Renovation 

1. Paolo Banchero Has a Chance to Be One of the All-Time Greats

There are many reasons why this is. Most obvious, he’s doing things statistically only all-time greats do. For example, by averaging 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 2023-24, he became just the fourth player 21 years old or younger to average 22-plus points, six-plus rebounds and five-plus assists with 40-plus games played. The others were Michael Jordan, LeBron James (twice) and Luka Doncic (twice).&nbsp;

Banchero also scored over 30 points three times in Orlando’s first-round playoff series against Cleveland. Only LeBron was younger when he accomplished that (did it five times in 2006 first-round series against Wizards and scored at least 30 three times in following series against Pistons). Banchero’s 38 points in Game 7 were the most ever by a player 21 or younger in a Game 7.&nbsp;

Other things going for him are his poise, maturity, work ethic, and love of the game.&nbsp;

2. Magic’s Defense Was Great And Should Continue to Be

Magic players said over and over again at media day, and even more so throughout training camp, that defense would be what they hang their hat on. That proved to be legit. Orlando finished with the league’s third-best defense (No. 1 after All-Star break) and held its opponent under 100 points 23 times, tied with Minnesota and New York for most.&nbsp;

While everyone did their part, the two that went above and beyond defensively were Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac. Opponents shot just 39.1 percent with Isaac contesting, per Second Spectrum. That was third best among players who contested at least 300 shots and best among non-guards. Suggs did his best work following the All-Star break, when opponents shot just 37.9 percent with him contesting, fifth best among those during that time frame with 200-plus contests.&nbsp;

3. Kia Center Has Turned Into One of Best Home Courts

Overall, in the regular season, the Magic went 29-11 in their home arena. The only Eastern Conference teams with better home records than Orlando were Boston and Milwaukee.&nbsp;

Also, the Magic went a perfect 17-0 against sub-.500 teams at Kia Center. Boston, OKC and Denver also didn’t lose at home against those teams, but with fewer opportunities. The Celtics were 16-0, while the Thunder and Nuggets were each 15-0.&nbsp;

The Magic then went on to win all three of their home playoff games against the Cavs, including in Games 3 and 4 by a combined 61 points. They were the first team ever in a playoff series to win Games 3 and 4 by a combined 60-plus points after losing the first two games.&nbsp;

4. No Surprise, But the Regular Season Matters (A lot)

One of the biggest fallacies in the NBA is that it’s fine to coast in the regular season. Just make the playoffs, and then you’ll turn it on when the stakes are higher, many have in the past said.&nbsp;

History, however, tells a much, much different story. Rarely do lower-seeded playoff teams advance far in the postseason. Yes, the Heat made the Finals last year as a No. 8 seed. The Knicks were also a No. 8 seed when they reached the Finals in 1999, which was a lockout-shortened season. Those are exceptions. The reality is, most of the time, teams seeded between one and four in their respective conferences are the ones who are in position to go on deep playoff runs, no matter how close the final regular season standings were.&nbsp;

Just look at this year’s first-round results. In the West, the No. 1, 2, 3 and 5 seeds advanced. The No. 4-seeded Clippers didn’t have Kawhi Leonard most of their series against the Mavs. In the East, the No. 1, 2, 4 and 6 seeds advanced. The No. 3-seeded Bucks didn’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo in their series against the Pacers, and Damian Lillard missed two of those games.&nbsp;

The bottom line for the Magic going forward is they must take every regular season game seriously because one game could be the difference between going on a deep playoff run versus being ousted in the first round. If they were at home in Game 7 against the Cavs rather than in Cleveland, just think about how different things might be right now.&nbsp;

5. Magic Have An Amazing Coaching/Training Staff

Making a 25-win jump across a two-year span is not common, especially for a young team. But that’s precisely what the Magic accomplished, going from 22 wins in 2021-22, to 34 wins in 2022-23, to 47 wins in 2023-24. Head coach Jamahl Mosley, who finished second behind OKC’s Mark Daigneault for the Coach of the Year award this season, and his entire coaching staff have done an incredible job steering this group in the right direction.&nbsp;

All year, the Magic stuck to their principles and didn’t change who they were. They understand what their strengths were. They knew it had to be done by committee. That’s the buy-in that’s necessary to make major strides.

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2023-24 Exit Interviews: Paolo Banchero

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2023-24 Exit Interviews: Franz Wagner

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2023-24 Exit Interviews: Jeff Weltman

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2023-24 Exit Interviews: Jamahl Mosley

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5 Things Learned About the Orlando Magic During the 2023-24 Season

CLEVELAND - A tale of two outstanding home-court advantages and a tale of two halves in Game 7. 

They are the narratives that defined the first-round playoff series between the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and fifth-seeded Orlando Magic.&nbsp;

The home team won all seven games and the Cavs, behind another Herculean performance from Donovan Mitchell, erased an 18-point first-half deficit to win the series finale 106-94 and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they will take on the top-seeded Boston Celtics.&nbsp;

Mitchell, a five-time NBA All-Star, was just 3-of-13 from the field prior to intermission, and then like a flip of a switch, he transformed into “Spida,” a nickname given to him by a former teammate’s father for his Spider-man-like attributes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 6-foot-1, long-armed guard ended up scoring 39 points, 17 coming in the tide-turning third quarter when the Cavs outscored the Magic by 18.&nbsp;

Immediately following the game, he acknowledged just how tough it was to play against the Magic and, after going toe-to-toe against them for seven games, can see why they are widely thought of as one of the best young teams in the league.&nbsp;

“First of all, I want to give to the credit to the Magic, man,” he told ABC’s Lisa Salters. “They’ve got some dawgs over there. Jamahl Mosley is a phenomenal coach. They’ve got some guys (that are really good). Paolo Banchero is going to be a monster. Much respect to them. This wasn’t easy.”&nbsp;

For most of the first half, the Magic were outmuscling and outhustling the Cavs. Their defense, which is their calling card, was smothering, and they were forcing Cleveland into an abundance of heavily-contested shots – both in the paint and on the perimeter.

The other big component of Orlando’s early-game success was the dominant play of Banchero, scored 24 of his 38 points prior to the break. He also finished with 16 rebounds, giving him a pair of double-doubles in the series and three performances of over 30 points.

“Special,” Mosley said of the 21-year-old second-year sensation. “There’s a reason why he’s an All-Star. There’s a reason why he’ll be All-NBA. Big moments, he never shies away from them. Never backed down. (He) wanted every ounce of whatever they were throwing at him…All the things that you’ve asked him to do in these big moments, he did.”&nbsp;

As was the case in each of the other three games in Cleveland, the Magic struggled mightily from 3-point range, going 10-for-31 (32.3 percent) in Sunday’s Game 7. Overall, Orlando shot 33.7 percent from the floor.

The Magic’s supporting cast, which was superb at home but limited on the road throughout the series, didn’t collectively do enough offensively. Franz Wagner, uncharacteristically, went 1-for-15 from the field and finished with just six points. Jalen Suggs, who scored 10, went 2-for-13, with eight of those misses coming from downtown. Orlando’s bench, meanwhile, totaled just 21 points.&nbsp;

The Cavs were without center Jarrett Allen for a third straight game with a right rib contusion. Caris LeVert, who’s been bothered by knee pain, came up big and had 15 points. Evan Mobley’s defense played a huge factor as well.

The Magic are now 2-2 all time in Game 7s. It’s also the third time they’ve been part of a playoff series where the home team won all the games. The others were in the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers and in the first round against the Heat in 1997, which was a best-of-five.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Although the loss is fresh, Mosley, Banchero and the rest of the team realize how much progress they made this season, and believe this playoff series against the Cavs will make them even stronger in the long run.

“After those first two games, everyone was looking at us like, oh I don’t know if they are ready and whatever. For us to take this to seven and then have a great first half (in Game 7), and then have them have to fight for every inch to get back in and beat us,” Banchero said. “It shows where we are headed. It shows what we were able to do this year by itself. It’s really encouraging for everybody – players, coaches, whole organization. We are really going to build off this.”

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Paolo Banchero's 38-Point Effort in Game 7

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Orlando Magic’s Season Ends With Game 7 Loss in Cleveland

ORLANDO - What’s made this Orlando Magic team so good all year is their willingness to do things by committee. Never is it just one guy, or even two guys dictating the outcome.&nbsp;

Sure, some nights the scoring has been carried by the team’s dynamic duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. But even in those games, others stepped up in other ways – like making a huge defensive stop, pulling down a critical rebound, or dishing out a key assist.&nbsp;

That collective approach was on full display down the stretch of Friday’s 103-96 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Kia Center that evened up their best-of-seven first-round playoff series.&nbsp;

With the score knotted up at 86 with under five minutes to play, we saw each and every Magic player that was on the floor deliver in one way or another. Jalen Suggs started it off with one of his six 3-pointers after the ball ricocheted his way following a missed shot. Banchero, following a Donovan Mitchell triple, nailed a three of his own to give the Magic the lead back. The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Magic forward would go on to subsequently score another six of his team-high 27 points.&nbsp;

Also in that time, Wendell Carter Jr. had a huge block on Mitchell, Cole Anthony converted on a putback layup off a missed 3-pointer, and Jonathan Isaac, shortly after subbing in for Anthony, grabbed an offensive rebound with 33 seconds left that essentially sealed the win.&nbsp;

“I loved it. I loved our energy. I loved our poise,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “We handled the runs. Our ability to stay the course, to stick with the gameplan, and not be discouraged – for a group that continues to gain experience, this is up there with it. To be able to force a Game 7 in this situation.”&nbsp;

What Orlando also did was overcome a Herculean performance from Mitchell, who exploded for 50 points on 22-of-36 floor shooting. It was only the 12th&nbsp;time in NBA history that a player scored 50-plus in a playoff loss. It was the second time for Mitchell, who scored 57 while playing for Utah in an overtime defeat to Denver in Game 1 of their first-round postseason series in the Disney bubble.&nbsp;

As they’ve done all series, the Magic did an excellent job defending perimeter shots. The Cavs made only seven of their 28 3-point attempts (25 percent).&nbsp;

Banchero, who has scored at least 20 in five of the six games this series, including erupting for over 30 twice, was one of four Magic players who scored in double figures in Friday’s victory. The others were Franz (26 points), Suggs (22 points) and Carter (11 points).

“All series long, we’ve done a great job of staying so poised,” Suggs said. “Anything they’ve done to try to throw us off our game and knock us off balance, we’ve responded to it, we’ve acknowledged it and we’ve faced it. We’ve stayed center and together. I think tonight was another example of that.”

With Gary Harris sidelined due to a right hamstring strain, Isaac got the start. Although he didn’t score, he compiled nine rebounds and a block.&nbsp;

For the second straight game, Cleveland was without Jarrett Allen (right rib contusion).&nbsp;

Darius Garland finished with 21 points for the Cavs, who led by nine in the third quarter. Max Strus had 10 points. 

Each team now with three wins in the series, a decisive Game 7 will take place in Cleveland on Sunday at 1 p.m. on ABC. The home team has won all six games. The Magic hope to change that narrative in Game 7.

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Game 6: Jamahl Mosley

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Orlando Magic Come Up Clutch Down the Stretch to Force Game 7

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