THE MAGIC’S
growing pains continue — they’re 26-46 so far — as they face the Pistons tonight.
The final countdown nears, as the Orlando Magic play out the last 10 games of the season, starting tonight against the Detroit Pistons at Amway Center.
At 26-46, the Magic obviously aren’t playoff bound, much less improving. They were 35-47 a year ago under then-coach Scott Skiles. The regression can be frustrating, including a missed opportunity to push a modest winning streak to three games against the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday night. The Magic botched a six-point lead early in the fourth quarter, losing 109-102.
They’ve lost all four of their games this season against the Hornets.
“I thought we were fully engaged,” said first-year coach Frank Vogel. “We wanted that W and the fact that it hurt our guys is a good thing.”
So what’s the short-term game plan for Vogel and his team?
“Every day is a chance to improve, especially with these guys,” he said after Thursday’s practice. “We have a lot of young guys; guys who are new to our system. Our system is in Year One. Defensive schemes,
“Our system is in Year One. Defensive schemes, all that stuff, takes time to develop.” Magic coach Frank Vogel
all that stuff, takes time to develop.
“All these practices and games are an opportunity to improve and build a winning atmosphere. We have to treat every practice like it’s our last. Every game like it’s our last.”
Ten more to go. Measuring Mario
Mario Hezonja is trying to find his niche in the NBA, this time as a power forward.
Orlando’s philosophical switch to smallball, coupled with back spasms keeping Jeff
Green out of the lineup, has allowed Hezonja to carve out more playing time. He played 23 minutes against Charlotte on Wednesday night, although he did not shoot well, making only 3 of 12 shots and finishing with eight points.
“I thought he looked really good,” Vogel said. “He missed a couple of bunnies last night with some open looks but did some really good things. We’ll see how it plays out, but it could be really good for him.”
If he falters, it won’t be because lack of effort. Hezonja said Thursday that he routinely spends extra time after practice taking shots, based on his competitive drive to improve in his second NBA season.
“Keep shooting,” Hezonja said when asked how he will find his shot. “As I said in Summer League, it’s going to go in. I’m too good of a shooter to keep missing. I don’t know what the reason I missed so many [Wednesday night].”
Vogel said it’s all part of the learning curve for young players in the league. “It’s not the worst thing for a young player to play too hard,” he said. “It’s part of young players growing.”
The upside to Hezonja playing power forward?
“He’s got good size and he does a good job making pocket passes,” Vogel said. “You have to honor his shot.”
Green may not be available again against the Pistons. He has missed only three games all season, although he has dealt with back spasms intermittently.
Hospital visit
Nikola Vucevic and Elfrid Payton, along with Magic Community Ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw, visited pediatric patients at Florida Hospital for Children on Thursday afternoon.
They handed dozens of “get well” teddy bears to each child. All of the teddy bears included handwritten, encouraging notes from Orlando Magic fans.