From the very beginning of the season, the Orlando Magic’s bet to make the Playoffs was very clear.
They loaded up on defensive talent and believed this was their ticket to the postseason: Become elite on one end of the floor and they would find success. Everything the team built was based on this gamble.
And that was what the Magic’s season really was — a series of gambles.
They believed their defense would be among the league’s best, buoying a struggling offense and providing a path to some success. They believed Aaron Gordon could shift to small forward, his versatility on defense would allow for versatility on offense.