Orlando Magic Q&A With Zach Oliver
By Adam McGee
Jan 16, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5), guard Elfrid Payton (4), forward Channing Frye (8) and guard Devyn Marble (11) talk during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Adam: Obviously this is an incredibly young team with a lot of raw talent, but did you expect the Magic to be this far out of the Playoffs before the season started, or has it come as a bit of a surprise?
Zach: Going into the season, I had them pegged for about 32 wins, which I didn’t think would get them into the playoffs. I thought the East would be better, and while there have been plenty of disappointments, I think we’re seeing the conference slowly start to even out some. I thought they would be about the 10 or 11 seed, but they have been disappointing to this point.
They’re over halfway into the season and are still desperately searching for an identity, which is a huge issue. Back during training camp, I wrote that they were trying to pin their ears back and be a stout defensive team, which just hasn’t happened. I think there’s been some surprise there, but for the most part, it’s status quo.
Next: Have The Magic Got A Long-Term Core Coming Together?