2024 Playoffs

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Dan Savage

ORLANDO –&nbsp;There are a lot of ways for teams in the NBA to improve over the course of the offseason.

They can sign free agents, make trades, and add quality pieces through the draft.

They can also make significant process simply through internal growth.

The 2023-24 Orlando Magic were the perfect example of that concept. The franchise only signed one outside free agent, veteran Joe Ingles, and still made a 13-win improvement – the largest in the Eastern Conference – over their prior season.

The only other additions made to that team were two rookies, Anthony Black and Jett Howard.

While their contributions varied over the course of the season, Black and Howard have the ability to play significant roles for the Magic next season. Both players have skillsets that the organization covets, and through hard work and dedication this summer, they can help fill some of the team’s current needs.

“I’m not exactly sure yet how we’ll look to target our needs,” said Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman of the team’s plans this summer. “Sometimes it can be done through trades. It can be done through draft. When I stood here last year and talked about internal growth, if you think about what we’ve done this year, we added Joe Ingles and two rookies, and we went from 34 to 47 (wins).”

Black, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, appeared in 69 games for the Magic this season, including 33 starts. He averaged 4.6 points, 1.3 assists and 0.5 steals per outing. The 6-foot-7, 200-pounder showed that he could be an integral part of a winning unit, serving as a starter during Orlando’s season-long nine-game winning streak that stretched from November into December.

“It was super helpful,” Black explained. “I got to see some parts of my game that I need to work on while also getting to just play, honestly, on a playoff-level team. I think all of it did a lot of good for me. I’ll definitely be going back and watching the film to see what we can get better on, for sure. All the experience – the playing, the not playing – it all helped. It’s all good for character. It’s all good in the long run.”

At the moment, Black’s biggest asset in his defense. He has tremendous size and length, and is tenacious in his approach on that end of the floor. If he were to solidify a role in the Magic’s rotation next season, he would only add to a team that made defense their calling card and finished with the league’s third-best defensive rating in 2023-24.

“(We want) to get better, but not at the expense of the things that cost us our DNA,” Weltman explained. There’s a reason that we were a good team this year, and we don’t want to lose that.”

On the flipside, Black is looking to improve as a shooter. While his outside shot was considered a weakness of his coming into the league, he made noticeable growth over the course of his rookie campaign in his shooting form and in his confidence to take open shots from the outside. After shooting just 26.1 percent from 3-point range over the first two months of the season, Black shot over 44.4 percent from long range in both December and January.

“(Magic shooting coach) Jeremiah (Boswell) and I have been working hard on it since I got here,” Black said. “It was definitely good seeing a little bit of results actually kind of early on. I was definitely feeling a little bit more confident as the season went on. Hopefully, next year, we can just keep building on that.”

Howard, on the other hand, can without a doubt provide a boost to the Magic’s most discussed need&nbsp;–&nbsp;shooting. While he only appeared sparingly for Orlando this season, he spent significant time in Osceola with the organization’s G League affiliate. While in Osceola, Howard, the No. 11 overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft, averaged 18.8 points per game.

“I think that Jett had a great rookie year,” Weltman explained. “Obviously, it’s not going to show up to the fans who come to the Orlando games, but Jett had a great rookie year. He got so much better in a lot of areas that we had targeted when we drafted him. When we talk about the team needs shooting, Jett is a very talented young man. He’s worked really hard. He’s expressed the humility and the drive and the work ethic. It doesn’t matter where (he is, he’s) there to get better. (He’s) there to get better, so that when (he) comes to Orlando, (he’s) ready to help the team. So, I’m really excited about the season that he had (and) the way that the G League was used.”

The 6-foot-8, 215-pound Michigan alum, shot close to 38 percent from distance and knocked down the fifth-most 3-pointers (104) in the entire G League this year.

“It’s something that I’ve always been able to do,” he explained. “Just having them trust in me to take those shots would be great … I think we have a lot of great shooters from me, Caleb (Houstan), Gary (Harris), Joe (Ingles). It’s just a matter of taking them. I feel like everyone can really shoot in that locker room.”

Orlando has a lockstep relationship with its G League squad. Osceola head coach Dylan Murphy and General Manager Kevin Tiller II both spent time with the parent club before taking their current roles. The G League team practices out of the Kia Center, and the team runs some similar concepts to those executed in Orlando.

Murphy worked relentlessly with Howard on all aspects of his game, but with a heavy focus on his defense. An improvement in that area would certainly help him earn a spot in Orlando’s rotation next season.

“This is probably the best defensive team that I’ve ever seen and been around,” Howard explained. “I know I’m biased, but I really feel like that. Everyone can guard one through five. It’s kind of infectious when you’re around that all the time. I think I’ve grown tremendously because Osceola teaches the same exact stuff and has the same exact schemes that we have up here. I think I’ve grown tremendously.”

Both Black and Howard mentioned in their exit interviews that they plan on spending most of their summer in Orlando working closely with the Magic’s coaches.

“It’s a huge summer (for them),” said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “(They were able to) realize and recognize what it means to be a playoff team, to get to a Game 7, (and) to battle throughout the year. (For) them to experience it and be part of it, they (learned) exactly how hard you have to work, how physical it can be, (and) how taxing it can be on your body. So, making sure you’re taking care of your body and your mind throughout the summer, to make sure you’re putting yourself in position to give yourself a chance.”

That formula has worked before for Magic youngsters. Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wagner have all made significant strides year in and year out, and often credit Orlando’s coaches and training staff for their success.

“I’ve definitely heard that recipe before,” Howard explained. “Just staying here (for) pretty much the whole summer. I don’t really plan on going anywhere. I’m just (planning on) learning and being around the coaches all the time. Gaining more knowledge. I think that will play a big part in it.”

And the Magic’s two rookies can play a big part for the team next season if they work diligently this summer with that goal in mind.

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Magic Rookies Anthony Black and Jett Howard Can Provide a Big Boost Next Season

ORLANDO –&nbsp;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:

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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Orlando Magic Exit Interviews' Notable and Quotable

Josh Cohen

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Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Playoff Photos: Game 7

Paolo Banchero spoke to the media after the Orlando Magic's Game 7 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Game 7: Paolo Banchero

Franz Wagner spoke to the media after the Orlando Magic's Game 7 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Game 7: Franz Wagner

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

Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley spoke to the media after Orlando's Game 7 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Game 7: Jamahl Mosley

Watch some of the top plays from the Orlando Magic's Game 7 road matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Game 7 Highlights: Magic at Cavs

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