Magic 'Ascending' Into Top of Eastern Conference?

The Orlando Magic has shown a ton of growth this season. But will that carry into next year?

Jeremy Brener | Feb 24, 2023

Magic 'Ascending' Into Top of Eastern Conference? /

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic may not make it to the mountaintop of the NBA this year as the team sits outside of the playoff picture with just a quarter left in the season.

But that doesn't mean the team isn't improving.

Bleacher Report labeled all 30 teams with one word to describe them, and the Magic's word was "ascending."

"Teams with bottom-five records aren't finished products," Bleacher Report writes. "The Magic are no exception. But their core is showing signs of appreciable growth and staying power, and they're about to add another high-end lottery pick, Chicago's first-rounder (top-four protected) and oodles of cap space to their offseason armory. There is almost no limit to the kind of leap Orlando can make next year."

This year's leap has been small, but noticeable. The team has already surpassed its win total from a year ago (24) and likely rosters the Rookie of the Year in Paolo Banchero.

Since starting the season 5-20, the Magic has played above .500 ever since and is even making an outside run at the play-in if a bunch goes right for the team in the final month of the season.

But next year? Orlando has a shot to ascend to brand new heights.

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Published Feb 24, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.