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Orlando Magic’s culture passes its latest test
Dec 8, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) celebrates a three pointer with Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images | Jeremy Reper/Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
Culture is easy when everything is going well.
A culture looks good when starts are rolling and the team is winning. It seems second nature because everything is aligned how everyone always imagined. That is the peak of joy.
That is not culture though. That is not what measures how strong a team is.
Culture is more difficult when things are hard, when players are absent with injuries and when adversity hits. This is when a team begins to understand its culture. This is when a culture is made.
The Orlando Magic have been working on building a culture of togetherness and good vibes for four years. The team has progressively improved as their young players improved and came into their own.
Orlando has had a few hiccups on the road. Maybe a few minor injuries here and there. But their growth was inevitable and proven. They made the Playoffs for the first time and were on track for an even better season because of the culture they had carefully cultivated.
The Magic believed they were building a culture that could last and could lead them to a title. But it has not been tested. Not truly. Not until now.
Saturday, the team learned Franz Wagner had torn his right oblique, the same rare basketball injury that All-Star Paolo Banchero suffered a little more than a month ago. If there was a test of just how good this Magic team and its culture is, it is here now with the season at a critical inflection point.
How are the Magic supposed to survive without their top two stars? That is what culture is about. A team with a good culture fills in and steps up. Their style does not change dramatically. It does enough to keep winning.
The Magic will find out just how ingrained their culture is.
After one game, the results are promising.
Orlando defeated Phoenix 115-110 in the team’s first game since Wagner’s injury. And what was astounding about the game was how little it felt the Magic were different.
They still defended and forced turnovers – 21 for 23 points. They still attacked the paint (48 points in the paint) and got to the foul line (30 free throw attempts). They still were opportunistic with their 3-point shooting. They still quieted their opponent in the fourth quarter (23 points allowed).
Jalen Suggs scored 22 of his 26 points in the second half and 14 in the fourth quarter, hitting big shots to put the game away and bring the Magic into the lead. Goga Bitadze had a season-high 21 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, including nine offensive rebounds.
The Magic did not do anything special. Suggs said his breakthrough did not come until he stopped trying to do too much as he was in the first half.
That is what it will take to win while both Wagner and Banchero is out. The margin for error might be smaller, but the Magic can still be a pest and put themselves in a position to win.
They can still play Magic basketball.
Orlando went 13-7 in the 20 games since Banchero’s injury. Wagner stepped up into a starring role and put himself in a position to make the All-Star team.
Orlando, in other words, filled in and stepped up. The team’s culture was not just words or a nice tagline to describe a team that was winning. The Magic’s culture was something real. And it is the reason the season is not over despite the bad news of another star forward down to injury.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks on from the bench against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth period at Chase Center. | David Gonzales/David Gonzales-Imagn Images
For all its advancements, from athlete autonomy down to the way the game itself gets played, the NBA hasn’t managed to solve one of its most nagging longevity problems: that all dynasties are destined to fall apart.
Maybe it’s their inherent weight. That a handful of stars stuck together force an unstable gravity not meant to last. Maybe it’s the strain that every relationship faces — but sped up in the NBA uniquely accelerated time signature — as time goes by and people, their circumstance, change. It could be egos, or the financial practicalities of keeping an expensive roster together; it might be because of duelling timelines and the reality that no matter how good, no team at this level can put off development of future rosters forever.
Whatever it was for dynasties of the past, now dusted, it’s a combination of everything for these current Warriors.
Whether you viewed it as a culture loss or reset, Klay Thompson’s departure to the Mavericks was the first chip in this Golden State dynasty’s foundation. Certainly, Thompson’s absence meant more room for next-gen talent of Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski to flourish on the floor. It also forced a twosome in leadership between Steph Curry and Draymond Green, versus the triangular model the former Splash Brother lent, though Curry’s shouldered more of the directional responsibilities this season and the strain is beginning to show.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Jonathan Kuminga makes his case with a career-best night of 33 points. (Defector)
Biz NBA Trade Deadline eligibility: These 85 players can be traded as of December 15. (ESPN)
Milestones Chris Paul surpasses Jason Kidd for 2nd in career NBA assists. (NBA.com)
Injury Franz Wagner suffers a torn right oblique and is out indefinitely, dealing a significant blow to the Orlando Magic’s lineup. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner continue to affect the Orlando Magic. (Orlando Sentinel)
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Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Joel Embiid Returns Sunday - All The Fantasy Basketball Impact
Dec 8, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) smiles during the second half of a basketball game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski/Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Joel Embiid’s Return and Fantasy Implications
As the NBA season unfolds, Joel Embiid’s return to the court has been a focal point for fantasy basketball enthusiasts. Embiid, despite being on a minutes restriction, delivered an impressive performance with 31 points and 12 rebounds. However, his recurring knee issues remain a concern for fantasy managers. The potential for swelling and soreness could lead to more missed games, making him a risky asset. While his numbers are undeniably strong, the uncertainty surrounding his health suggests a cautious approach for those considering him in trades or drafts.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Chicago Bulls: Key Performances
The Philadelphia 76ers’ clash with the Chicago Bulls highlighted several noteworthy performances. Tyrese Maxey stepped up significantly, posting 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists. His ability to thrive alongside Embiid is crucial for the 76ers’ success and offers a promising outlook for fantasy managers. On the Bulls’ side, Zach LaVine’s resurgence with 30 points and six triples was a standout, especially after a dip in usage in previous games. However, Nikola Vučević's recent struggles, with only 13 points in consecutive games, raise questions about his role and effectiveness moving forward.
The game also shed light on the fluctuating roles within the Bulls’ lineup. Ayo Dosunmu, who recently had a breakout game, saw his production dip with the return of key players. This pattern of inconsistency is a reminder of the volatility in fantasy basketball, where player value can shift rapidly based on team dynamics and injuries.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
- Analysis of Tyrese Maxey’s performance and future potential
- Zach LaVine’s resurgence and its impact on the Bulls
- The role of Ayo Dosunmu in the Bulls’ lineup
- Injury updates and their implications for fantasy rosters
- Strategies for managing player rotations and streaming options
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Magic podcasts.
Why Jalen Suggs is key to Orlando Magic’s offensive revival The Orlando Magic’s extreme shooting woes showed up again in their loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. While fatigue from the team’s road-heavy early schedule played a factor, the Magic’s weaknesses continue to be apparent.
Orlando Magic in the Second Quarter: Re-integrating Paolo Banchero, solidifying their spot The Orlando Magic did their work to start the season and put them in position to achieve their goals and attain homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The next 20 games will see new changes and challenges.
Franz Wagner’s not-so-secret weapon to cement All-Star status Franz Wagner dazzled as the Orlando Magic secured a thrilling victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. With Wagner’s star-making 35-point performance, he continued to carry the Magic by doing what he does best.
