Rebuild a ‘roster renaissance’
I consider the Orlando Magic marketing, promotions and PR department to be among the best in professional sports, but I believe they need my help today.
It’s no secret that in today’s business world, it’s not always so much about how you do something; it’s about how you brand something. Sort of like when “Burbn” changed its name to “Instagram.”
Or when “Brad’s Drink” changed its name to “Pepsi.” Or when “Jerry and David’s Guide to the World Wide Web” changed Turn to Roster,
“This league is all about wins. Good wins, ugly wins, great win, it’s all about getting wins. That definitely is a confidence-booster going against one of the best teams in the Western Conference, getting a win, especially on the road,” Carter said.
Okeke scored nine points in the third quarter to help jump-start a Magic offense that produced just 37 firsthalf points. In the last 5:06 of the game, Okeke sank a 15-foot jumper and converted an offensive rebound into a three-point play.
Okeke moved into the starting rotation March 26 and has averaged 18 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 56.8% overall and 53.3% from 3 in 31.7 minutes in those three games.
And that doesn’t include his 7-for-7 shooting performance in the 112-111 win March 24 over the Suns.
The next day, the Magic revamped their roster with three trades that moved Okeke into a more prominent position. He’s handled the expanded role well — as expected — but said he’s far from satisfied with a few good games.
“My confidence is definitely building up, but I’ve just got to keep on doing it from here,” Okeke said. “I can’t dwell on this game. I can’ t dwell on the losses or the wins. I’ve just got to see what I did good, see what I did bad and just build from that and just continue to get better.”
Carter delivered two assists, three blocked shots and a key offensive putback as he played the final 9:11 of the fourth quarter. His block on a Terance Mann layup attempt with 34.5 seconds to play led to freethrow attempts for the Magic.
Third-year center Mo Bamba also stands to develop his game as he gets more playing time while he and Carter continue to share minutes at center.
The Magic drafted Bamba with the idea that he could stretch the floor and create scoring opportunities with his 3-point shooting. He showed some of what those perimeter skills can give the Magic during Sunday’s game against the Lakers.
Midway through the first quarter, Bamba set a screen for Ennis, then flared to the 3-point line and caught a pass from Carter-Williams. Bamba squared his shoulders and quickly sized up his counterpart, Lakers center Marc Gasol.
Bamba’s quick shot-fake forced Gasol, wanting to contest a 3-point try, to close out. Bamba used the fake beautifully as he drove past Gasol and into the paint. Bamba took one more dribble and when no defensive help came he elevated for a two-handed dunk.
On Tuesday, Bamba knocked down both of his 3-point attempts on his way to a 12-point, eight-rebound performance. He’s averaged 11.6 points and 6.8 rebounds his past three games.
Bamba recognizes the opportunity in front of him now that he’s no longer playing behind Nikola Vucevic.
“There’s the elephant in the room playing behind an All-Star. Not even All-Star caliber, an All-Star in Vooch. You know your minutes are limited,” Bamba said. “Now I think I get an opportunity to go out there and not necessarily improve but just go out there and grow and get well acclimated with just how the game goes.”
Next game: The Magic (16-31) continue their fivegame road trip in New Orleans Thursday night. The game tips off at 8 p.m. from Smoothie King Center and will be broadcast on Bally Sports Sun.
The Pelicans (21-25) have won four of their past five and are coming off a 115-109 win Monday in Boston. The other three victories in that stretch came against the Nuggets, Lakers and Mavericks.
Zion Williamson has been nearly unstoppable lately, averaging 32.4 points on 66.7% shooting in the past five games.
Brandon Ingram, meanwhile, has averaged 24.6 points in that stretch. He and Williamson also have shown some increased playmaking in the past five games, averaging a combined 9.5 assists.
Bally Sports Sun will begin its Magic broadcast immediately following its coverage of the MLB season opener between the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays. That game starts at 4 p.m., with a postgame show to follow at 7.