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Hezonja not in the top 10 of the Magic rotation in this preseason game, apparently. Even though we're shooting like 2 for 20 from 3-point range. Vogel must feel he's too much of a defensive liability.

Isaac and Simmons bringing some life to the Magic. Gordon also looking good offensively

We were essentially playing a development level team on Thursday. Dallas kept their top 7 players out.

Our starting five looks like the same crappy bunch this third quarter. Three turnovers and a three point air ball from Elfrid.

I'm pretty sure that we have one too. I don't think they're a good idea for anyone

Well, we don't want to draw too many conclusions from the first preseason game where the Magic played 16 players and almost no one got more than 20 minutes. That being said, at some point there needs to be some 3-point shooting or it will be another long season.

So I looked at the schedule and counted 13 back to backs, not including one in the preseason. I could be off by one or two, wasn't being super careful, but I thought the idea was to get rid of most of them for this season?

The starting line-up is virtually identical to last year post all-star break, so I think it's an open question how big a step forward we take. I realize that in principle we should have a better bench. My main questions at this point: What can this team accomplish in terms of a won-loss record? And Regardless of the record, will they start to develop some identity and at least be fun to watch? Last year they were very hard to watch.

Yes, we have a deep lineup but it's full of role players. I know hope springs eternal, especially at this time of year, but I suggest everyone keep their expectations under control. Whether Vuch or Biyombo is the starting center, that is still at best a mediocre lineup. Yes, it could be better than that if certain players take major steps forward, and that could happen, but I wouldn't count on it.

Agree. Lots of moving pieces. Probably best (as a fan) to have low expectations going in given the past few years, but can certainly hope for pleasant surprises. Unknowable how or if it will all come together this season.

I agree with your take which is similar to what most other people have also said. It's definitely a risk that goes along with a team being bad for a long time. Players start to believe that they can't win. Call it a losing culture, or whatever you want, but it's real.

Back in time for training camp :)

You can't take a random isolated stat with a team that's been this bad the past five years and try to make a statement like that. This team has to prove itself in the win/loss column. Until/unless they do that, they're every bit as bad as people think, if not worse.

+1 from me. I completely agree with this analysis, despite some rather far-fetched predictions in here about some of our current players becoming stars next season.

Over the past 36 or so hours, though, the model shifts in aggregate have moved the storm much further west (even though each individual shift was rather small). I'm feeling a lot better about my situation in Daytona Beach for the time being.

Will it turn north a bit sooner and miss us entirely?

And what's your pessimistic prediction?

34-48. Team remains difficult to watch.

I think Michael Jordan and Kareem will also be coming out of retirement to create the super dream team here in Orlando with LeBron. Pair them with Payton and Gordon and we can probably win 4-5 championships. With Biyombo anchoring the second unit we might win all 82 games.

Being positive for our strategy these past five years would have been counterproductive. Now we have to dig out of the hole we've made for ourselves. The only way to solve problems is to recognize they exist in the first place. Burying your head in the sand and yelling "rah,rah" won't get you anywhere. Do you really want to count on Payton becoming a good three point shooter as a factor in the Magic improving? That's what I mean by ignoring a problem and hoping it will go away.

Can't translate that to the pros, where you have much better defenders. I very much doubt he'll ever become a good 3-point shooter in the NBA.

Not all 27%, but perhaps half of it. Sample size of meaningful basketball with that group of players is too small, in my opinion, to draw major conclusions going into this season. What's that (in another post) about Gordon being a good shooter? And I don't recall Ross shooting that well either except in a very few games.

I agree. Spacing will be terrible. Sample size and garbage games at end of last season make those results suspect as far as I'm concerned.

The problem is that other teams have tall players also.

Just remember that once guys get used to losing, it's not as easy to turn it around as you might think.