In a segment on his podcast, NBA legend Kevin Garnett got real on the state of the Orlando Magic, who have opened the season at 13-5. Despite the talents of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, nobody was expecting the Magic to be this good so early on, and Garnett gave them a rather glowing review when he compared the city to his experience in Toronto.
“Orlando is the new Toronto,” said Garnett. “You thought Toronto was sweet, you went out, had dinner, next thing you know you in a dog fight! Man, you can’t get a win in Orlando right now… Orlando will blow your ass out.”
No more going out in Orlando!
“Orlando is the new Toronto. You thought Toronto was sweet, you went out, had dinner … next think you know, you in a dog fight!… man you can’t get a win in Orlando right now… Orlando will blow your ass out”
– Kevin Garnett
[via @shobasketball… pic.twitter.com/wLPkAQU1pH
— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BASKETBALLonX) December 1, 2023
The Orlando Magic is a franchise that has struggled for years to find success. Even after years of lottery picks, the Magic never really had a breakout moment and instead watched as their roster failed to meet expectations season after season. But when the team drafted Franz Wagner with the eighth pick in 2021, it was the first time they really struck gold since Dwight Howard almost a decade ago. When they followed it up by drafting Paolo Banchero the next summer, it set them up to be one of the league’s top young teams.
The Magic Are For Real
At 13-5 this season, the Magic are the biggest story of the NBA so far. And while the sample size is pretty small, the signs are looking good overall, with a top-rated defense and a total net rating of +6.2 on the season. This is new territory for Orlando, but there’s no reason to think it’s some kind of fluke, given the consistency they’ve shown in the first few weeks. Besides Franz and Paolo, the Magic are deep with talent that includes role-players like Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, and Jonathan Isaac.
The best part about this run is that the Magic aren’t even whole right now. They’ve played without two key role players in Wendell Carter Jr. and Markelle Fultz this season, and their return in the near future could elevate the team to an even greater level. For now, while it’s still too soon to call the Magic legitimate title contenders, it’s obvious that they are on the board as a major player in the East and will be a tough out in the playoffs this season as a top-six seed.
Paolo Banchero Is A Rising Star
Perhaps the biggest catalyst behind Orlando’s blazing hot start so far has been 2022 lottery pick Paolo Banchero, who is proving himself as a star before our very eyes. This season, as one of the NBA’s best young stars, Paolo is averaging 19.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game on 48.1% shooting for the Magic, who currently sit at 2nd in the Eastern Conference at 14-5 overall.
At 6’10” with an insanely physical play style, Paolo is bruising opponents on the court using his strength and speed to overwhelm defenders. With exceptional court vision for his size, he’s able to set up his teammates for easy looks and it has made the perfect pairing next to Franz Wagner, who has emerged as one of the league’s best offensive wing players. If the Magic can keep up this play throughout the season, and into the playoffs, it could position the franchise for a serious run in the near future.
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