If you are booking a flight to play the Orlando Magic this season, you might want to pack an ice bath.
It’s still early in the season, but the Magic have already shown the NBA that they don’t care about playing flashy basketball. While most teams focus on fast breaks and shooting lots of three-pointers, Jamahl Mosley is building something different in Central Florida. He’s building a tough, physical team.
There’s no flashy style at the Kia Center. This team wants to play tough, physical basketball for the entire game.
It starts with their defense. Jalen Suggs is relentless on the perimeter, breaking up screens, fighting through traffic, and making things difficult for opposing guards. In the paint, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner play a physical style, using their strength and looking for contact. They want their opponents to feel every possession.
Tonight, they bring that tough style to Scotiabank Arena as they start their NBA Cup group stage against the Toronto Raptors. Don’t expect a lot of flashy plays. The Raptors will quickly see that Orlando wants to make this a slow, physical game. The Magic will challenge every pass and make Toronto fight for every bit of space.
But the real test comes on Sunday. The Boston Celtics will visit for a big Eastern Conference matchup. Boston is a strong offensive team, built to spread the floor and score quickly. Sunday will show how good Orlando can be. If their tough defense can slow down the defending champs and make it a physical game, it could change how people see this team.
The Magic are no longer just a young team waiting for their chance. They are now one of the toughest teams in the Eastern Conference. If you’re not ready for a physical game, they will outplay you.
Cody Queen is the lead columnist for the Queen Media Sports Report, bringing you the hard hitting facts, the deep dives, and the unapologetic truth about the teams you love. Queen Media Sports Report is brought to you by Backwater Royalty.
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