ORLANDO – If media day is like the first day of school, then exit interviews are like the final day of class.
Each player has one-on-one meetings with the front office and coaching staff to review the year and what’s expected of them over the summer.
As members of the Orlando Magic completed their sit-down sessions, they all spoke to the media one final time before departing for the offseason.
It was clear that, to-a-man, members of the Magic were proud of their 47-win season, which earned them a playoff berth. However, it was equally evident that they were not satisfied and that they enter the offseason hungry to improve in order to be ready for the 2024-25 campaign.
Let’s take a closer look at the themes that emerged from the Magic’s exit interview sessions on Monday:
THE MAGIC ACHIEVED MANY OF THEIR GOALS
When the Magic arrived for training camp at the AdventHealth Training Center in September, they were determined to become a top-10 defensive team, execute their offense with a by-committee approach, and embrace the expectations of becoming a playoff team.
Over the course of the season, Orlando was able to do all of that and more.
The Magic were able to make a 13-win improvement over their prior campaign and claimed the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
After setting out to make defense its calling card, Orlando finished the regular season with the NBA’s third-best defensive rating (110.8). The Magic were also a stellar 21-2 over that span when holding teams under 100 points.
Orlando’s staunch defense carried over into the postseason, as it was able to hold the Cleveland Cavaliers under 100 points in five of their seven meetings. The Magic limited the Cavs to just 44.0 percent shooting from the floor (fifth-worst in the NBA in the playoffs) and 28.7 percent shooting from deep (lowest mark in the East).
Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley: “We accomplished a lot. We did a great job of handling the highs and the lows of the season. What we wanted to accomplish defensively as our calling card, I thought was great. Our young guys learned how to win in this league, which is what we’ve talked about from the beginning of the year. You talk about the support that we had from our fans, from the city. Those are things that you’ll look back on and say that you got better, you grew, and you built something very special for the years to come.”
Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman: “Exceptionally (proud). I’m not a big predictor or goal setter. We want to practice (and) play the right way at all times. Treat each other the right way. And we always believe that the results will follow. So, the way that these guys conducted themselves through adversity, the way that they held themselves accountable to one another, for such a young group of players, I thought was really impressive. I could not be more proud of them. Not just for the wins and losses, but just who they are as people. The way they propped each other up. They really came through the season showing everybody who they are.”
Wendell Carter Jr.: “It just shows how good of a group we have. We’re a fairly young team and we set goals that we achieved this year. Of course, we wanted to go further in the playoffs – I think that’s what everyone wanted – but if you take a step back and actually look at the season, you would have to say it’s good. We weren’t satisfied at all, but you have to say it’s a hell of a season for us, for sure.”
MAGIC BUILT A SPECIAL HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE
One of the lessons that many of the Magic players learned through their first playoff experience is how much home court matters.
Even in the regular season, that was evident for Orlando. The Magic closed out their 2023-24 campaign with the East’s third-best home record (29-12), went a perfect 17-0 at the Kia Center against sub-.500 competition, and did not lose a single playoff game on their home floor.
The Magic hosted four of the top five crowds in franchise history, and had 30 sellouts over the course of the season.
Their fans played a huge role in creating a hostile environment for opposing squads, and that has the team determined to secure a home-court advantage in a playoff series next season.
Weltman: “I hope (the fans) are proud of us. I really hope that they are proud of our players. I can tell you that our players are so appreciative of our fans. I don’t think we would have had this season without them. We don’t ever take that for granted. We have the best fans in the league, and they really showed who they are in the playoffs, man. I hope they had fun, and I hope that they are excited about the ride that we are all about to go. But it doesn’t happen without them. So, I say a big shoutout, a big thanks to the fans.”
Paolo Banchero: “It was special this year – just from the beginning. We started off really well and the fans really bought in during that time … and stuck with us the whole season. In the playoffs, they took it to another level and really got behind us. It elevated us – our play, our mentality. We knew we had them behind us every time we stepped foot on our home court. It was super exciting, and it just makes me even more excited for next year. I know the fans are going to be super excited (and) anticipating us to be back to where we are. It’s a new era, it’s a new day, and I’m sure the fans are happy.”
Jalen Suggs: “It’s apparent (with) all the love that was given. All the cheering, the positive words, the positive messages. Every day that we had a home game, just getting to walk through the tunnel and give hugs, receive love and have conversations … People who’ve lived here, people who have been Magic fans for a while, who’ve just recently become Magic fans, just anybody who came into that building and experienced the energy, the joy, the connectiveness that we have as a team, and that the team has with the fans is special. It’s something that I love being around and I want to continue to be around.”
Moe Wagner: “Home court matters. A nine-point deficit on the road feels a lot bigger than a nine-point deficit at home. It’s a lot harder to make up. I think that’s something that you have to keep in mind when you play in January and February. Those games matter because you want to set yourself up for a successful playoff run. Certain things you don’t know until you experience them. I think that’s one of those things.”
PAOLO BANCHERO PUT UP HISTORIC NUMBERS
After earning Rookie of the Year honors, Banchero took another leap forward in his sophomore season. Not only did he make his first NBA All-Star appearance, but the 21-year-old became the youngest player in NBA history to lead his team in scoring, rebounding and assists in a single season.
Those jaw-dropping numbers carried over into postseason play, as Banchero became the second youngest player in league history to have three 30-plus scoring performances in the same series. In a do-or-die Game 7 against the Cavs, the 6-foot-10 forward erupted for 38 points with 24 of them coming in the first half. That total was the most ever by an NBA player in the first half of a Game 7 by a player who is 21 years old or younger.
Weltman: “How can you not be wildly impressed with Paolo, man? To be able to lock in and process through the season, within a game as quickly and as efficiently as he does at age 21 is just – I don’t know what to say – it's uncommon. You just haven’t seen that happen that often in this league. So, coupled with his physical abilities and gifts, he’s got a tremendous potential, a tremendous future in front of him. Most importantly, he is 100 percent motivated by winning and lifting up others – whatever that takes. We’re extremely excited about Paolo. We’re thrilled to have him on the team. His growth and potential speak for themselves. There’s nothing really that I can add.”
Franz Wagner: “It’s super fun playing with Paolo. I think the coolest part is that he’s a great player, but he’s an even better human. He’s super normal, super humble, (and) I think that sets the tone for the whole group. I’m super excited for the future (and) I think we can keep getting better.”
Carter: “I don’t think words can really describe how talented he is. On top of all of that, he’s just a good person. He’s also of that crew (that’s all about) whatever it takes to win. He does all the little things. Of course, he’s a phenomenal scorer, but he does all of the things that are necessary to win. He’s a phenomenal leader. He (speaks) up. For him to be doing that at such a young age – barely 21 – the sky is the limit for him. I’m just glad to be able to share a court with him. His trajectory, he’s going to be a Hall-of-Famer, for sure.”
PENDING FREE AGENTS WANT TO RETURN
Since Mosley’s arrival, there’s been an emphasis on building a family-like environment in Orlando. That’s been evident on the court with the group’s by-committee approach on offense and with the way players celebrate each other’s success. It’s also clear off the court. Between the locker room dynamic and players appearing at each other's events, it's evident that members of the team genuinely like each other.
It's become a place that players do not want to leave. That was made clear by all of the Magic’s pending free agents, who each expressed their desire to remain in Orlando.
Markelle Fultz: “I definitely want to be a part of it. They’ve (received) me with open arms here. They’ve been very supportive of me through all the ups and downs I’ve had on and off the court. Of course, you want to be a part of a young group who is doing great things. Just the culture here. They have a lot of good people. I’ve built a lot of great relationships here, not only with the staff, but with the organization. I’m just excited for what the future holds. I’m very open for everything. I’m super excited.”
Gary Harris: “I’ve enjoyed my time here ever since I stepped foot in Orlando. It’s been great. I love it. I’ve got nothing but great things to say about it. I don’t know what free agency holds. I’m just taking it one day at a time. I love my time here. I love my teammates. I feel like we’ve built something very special. So, we’ll just see where it goes.”
Goga Bitadze: “Yeah, (I want to come back), 100 percent. (On) this team, I talk with everybody. I got waived. These guys picked me up off of waivers. I didn’t even know if I was going to stay in the league. I was already thinking about going back to Europe, and these guys took me in with open arms. This is the first place (that felt) like home. (It’s where) I want to be. If it comes down to that and I am still here, I will be really, really happy.”
ORLANDO IS NOW A DESTINATION
Along those same lines, the Magic have created a place that other players see as extremely desirable. Between the family-like atmosphere, a high-end coach, a first-class arena and training facility, and a young playoff-bound club – not to mention sensational weather and no state tax – Orlando is now viewed as a top-notch destination.
Weltman: “I think we’re growing. We have a lot of momentum. A lot of people that I run into over the course of the season and especially as we head into the playoffs – and even in the last couple of days – have really expressed an enthusiasm for what we’re doing here. The one thing that excites me is I know that everybody here emanates that outwardly – even the building that we’re standing in right now (AdventHealth Training Center). It all brings us together, and I feel like we are definitely becoming a place (where) players want to play. (We’re) a team with a locker room and a coaching staff that guys want to be a part of. One thing I do believe, I always believe that NBA players want to be part of something bigger than themselves. They work really hard. It’s a team sport. They all know they need everything to prop them up to be successful. I believe that we will attract those sorts of people. I think we are on our way. We have a lot of work to do.”
PLAYERS ARE EAGER TO GET BACK TO THE PLAYOFFS AND BE EVEN BETTER
While a tough Game 7 loss left a bitter taste in many players’ mouths, it also motivated them to be even better next season.
After getting to experience the highs and lows of the playoffs, the Magic are determined to return to the postseason and will make every effort to improve this offseason.
Banchero: “I think this group really has no ceiling. We have the ultimate belief in each other and what we can do. It took us this far this year. (With) another summer of working, improving, and everybody having that hunger and motivation, I think we can take it even farther. This was just the very start of something special.”
Franz: “That’s going to stick with me all summer. Hopefully, I can use it as motivation and fuel (in) the right way. Obviously, it was super frustrating.”
Suggs: “(We’re hungry to take another step), very much so. All of us are so young. We’re competitive. We're driven by that and the joy of playing with each other. We want to keep this unit together as long as possible. I think that’s the part that hurts so much about losing. All of us will continue to work (and) continue to get back in the lab. We don’t want to feel this again. Not at this stage. Not at this point in the year. It will definitely be a motivating factor. We're all so close that we’ll continue to work together, to talk and grow individually, as a unit, basketball players, and as humans.”
Jonathan Isaac: “We’ll come into training camp ready to work. I think the heartbeat of this organization is togetherness and (doing it) by committee anyways. So, no matter who is here, they’ll be integrated properly, and they’ll be ready to play.”
Carter: “Everyone wants to be (in the playoffs). Now I see why. For me, it’s nothing less than that. For this team, I want to (do) whatever I can to help this team get back there (and) to go further. That’s all my mind is on going into the summer. Be as healthy as possible, be in the best shape, so that we can be that top-four seed in the playoffs next year.”
Cole Anthony: “We were so close to getting to that next round. Obviously, that’s going to motivate everyone on this team. We’ll keep that in the back of our heads for a long time. It was such a dope experience (to play in the playoffs). We were all so blessed to be in that position. I just can’t wait until next year.”