The Eastern Conference is wide open, and the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and Atlanta Hawks all made offseason moves to climb up the ladder. With Mike Brown in town, added depth, and a star-studded roster, New York is expected to rival the Cleveland Cavaliers.
However, the Magic adressed their biggest concern: shooting. They broke the bank for Desmond Bane. He is expected to stuff the stat sheet and space the floor for Orlando’s forwards, solving some key issues.
Of course, the Magic remain young and inexperienced. They lost a big chunk of last season to injuries to Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, and Paolo Banchero. However, they don’t have to learn a new coach’s system and don’t have as much pressure as some of their rivals.
As a result, Orlando is expected to run the East.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 03: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic drives against OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 03, 2024 in New York City. User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Orland Magic Expected to Beat New York Knicks
Mike Brown is preparing for his first season in New York. He has been fired by all four of the other teams he has coached in the past. Jamahl Mosley, meanwhile, has only four seasons under his belt, although the Magic have vastly improved during his tenure.
Without the challenge of learning a new head coach’s system, the Magic can hit the ground running this season.
“I’m going Orlando Magic, number one seed in the East,” declared The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie on the Game Theory podcast. “I think this team wins well over 50 games this year and looks terrific.”
Last season, Banchero got injured after the fifth game of the season and did not return until January. This season, the roster is entering the campaign healthy and with a lot of continuity, minus the major addition of Bane.
Of course, the Magic finished with the seventh-best record in the East last season. In addition to the Knicks, they have to pass the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Detroit Pistons.
How Magic Can Topple Knicks and Cavaliers
Boston and Indiana are dealing with major injuries to their best players. The Bucks lost Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez, with Myles Turner being the only major addition. On top of that, a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade seems likely with each passing day.
The Pistons, meanwhile, lost depth pieces Dennis Schroder and Malik Beasley. They are yet to add a major scoring punch next to Cade Cunningham. That leaves Cleveland and New York as the Magic’s two biggest roadblocks.
“The Cavs deal with some injuries,” Vecenie explained. “The Knicks, with a new coach, kind of deal with some growing pains early in the year, trying to adjust to that and adjusting to have Mitchell Robinson back in the lineup, which is largely good. But that could involve some growing pains with a new coach, right?”
Not only is Kenny Atkinson under pressure to take a leap forward in Cleveland, but the Cavs could make a midseason trade. On top of that, Darius Garland and Max Strus are expected to miss significant time to start the season.
With a clean bill of health, Orlando can get out to an early lead in the standings before New York and Cleveland know what hit them.
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