The Orlando Magic have been one of the best teams in the league this season.
It’s not common to see a team going from not even making the Play-In Tournament to having the second-best record in the Eastern Conference in just one year, especially considering they didn’t make any big-name signings in the offseason.
When asked about that, Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley talked about how the young players realized that they could be much better than they were last season and how they’ve been putting in the work to prove it (via Run It Back).
"I think our guys recognized how good they could be, but then it was just putting in the work to get there." 👏
Jamahl Mosely on this season with the Orlando Magic versus the last.
📺: https://t.co/wdT8I0ST8g pic.twitter.com/FtIG3CWunw
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 13, 2023
This isn’t much of a surprise, as the Magic showed glimpses of great play in the final third of last season, having one of the best records in the league during that span.
Even so, it’s nice to see such a young team holding on so nicely, as most inexperienced teams often hit a wall and start regressing once it seems like the rest of the league has them figured out.
Paolo Banchero looks like a generational talent in the making, and Franz Wagner has been a perfect complement to him.
The point guard situation is still far from ideal, but they have big hopes for Anthony Black’s development, and Jalen Suggs continues to make strides as a defender.
The Magic trail the Boston Celtics by just one game this season, boasting a long rotation and plenty of energy on both ends of the floor.
And while they might not be ready to compete for an NBA championship now, it’s just a matter of time before they make some noise in the playoffs.
NEXT: Magic HC Has A Message For Fans Amid Hot Streak