Can you’re feeling it?
There’s one thing electrical within the air in Central Florida — and, no, it’s not one other afternoon thunderstorm. It’s the thrill. The hum. The joy. The sheer anticipation of an Orlando Magic season that feels, lastly, actual.
For greater than a decade, hardcore Magic followers have been the quiet fixed, believing within the course of lengthy after the remainder of the league stopped paying consideration. Now, although, the remainder of the league is trying over its shoulder.
Since Dwight Howard’s departure greater than a dozen years in the past, the franchise has rebuilt, retooled, reimagined and reinvented itself so many occasions it’s exhausting to maintain observe. However this 12 months, it feels completely different.
After years of improvement, endurance and an limitless array of “subsequent years,” the Orlando Magic should not simply able to compete. They’re one of many stylish picks to make noise in a wide-open Jap Convention. With Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton each sidelined with ruptured Achilles tendons, the door has swung open. And guess who’s standing there, able to stroll via it?
Your Orlando Magic.
This isn’t hype for hype’s sake. This isn’t wishful considering. That is the true factor — a younger, homegrown, cohesive, assured crew led by two younger stars in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, a coach in Jamahl Mosley who preaches grit and development, and a entrance workplace that has been affected person sufficient to construct it the fitting method.
So right here’s the message, Magic followers: on this fast-paced, TikTok, hot-take, transfer-portal world that we dwell in, let’s simply pause. Take a deep breath. Go searching. And luxuriate in this Magic carpet trip we’re about to embark on.
As a result of the lengthy and winding highway appears to lastly have a vacation spot.
When the Magic drafted Banchero No. 1 general in 2022, it wasn’t the “consensus” choose. It wasn’t the “secure” choose. However it was the fitting choose.
“Orlando took an opportunity on me once they drafted me, and I’m perpetually grateful for that,” Banchero stated on the time. “They put their belief in me to take that probability and take me No. 1. After that, I felt prefer it was my job to assist them attain heights that haven’t been reached in a very long time.”
And now, at simply 22 years previous — with a Rookie of the Yr award, an All-Star look and a max extension in his pocket — he feels it’s time to start out repaying the Magic in wins and playoff success.
From 22 wins in Mosley’s first season to 34 the subsequent to a leap to 47 earlier than accidents derailed the momentum final season — this crew’s development has been natural and regular. No shortcuts. No panic trades. No superstars forcing their method out.
Simply work. Sweat. Religion.
Magic president Jeff Weltman summed it up finest: “This crew is rising up and the fantastic thing about it’s that the followers have been via this journey and rising course of with us. The message we wish to ship out is we’re prepared to show the web page on the rebuild. That is about successful now. Hopefully, we’re about to go on a enjoyable trip.”
Banchero. Wagner. Jalen Suggs. And now, Desmond Bane. 4 younger stars. All below contract for the foreseeable future. All have purchased into Orlando’s imaginative and prescient.
This isn’t a group of mercenaries on short-term offers. This isn’t a “let’s see if this works for a 12 months” experiment. That is your crew, Orlando — constructed principally via the draft and constructed with endurance and function. In a transfer-portal world the place loyalty is uncommon and dedication is fleeting, the Magic have assembled one thing that feels rooted.
After all, with increased expectations comes increased scrutiny and accountability. Mosley is aware of this. He is aware of that when followers begin caring extra; they begin judging extra. And he welcomes it.
“Strain is a privilege,” Mosley likes to say.
And this season, the Magic lastly have some.
For the primary time in a very long time, stress is one thing to embrace, not worry.
“That is the primary time since I acquired right here the place it feels critical when it comes to expectations,” Banchero stated. “I like that as a result of now it’s time to win. When the expectation and commonplace is to win, that’s what brings the very best out of individuals.”
Weltman has preached endurance from the beginning. He’s constructed a roster brick by brick, by no means panicking, by no means dashing the timeline. However now, with the DeVos household investing closely on this roster and the crew giving up 4 first-round picks to accumulate Bane, the group has formally shifted into win-now mode.
“I used to be speaking with my agent at the beginning went down after final season,” Bane stated after the commerce. “If there was ever an opportunity I’d get traded, the place are the spots you wish to go? And I imply, I promise you, Orlando was proper on the prime of the checklist. So it’s an ideal match.”
Learn that once more.
Gamers truly wish to come to Orlando.
When was the final time you would say that?
So right here we’re preparing for probably the most extremely anticipated season in additional than a decade.
The Orlando Magic aren’t enjoying for tomorrow any longer. They’re enjoying for at this time.
And possibly, simply possibly, that is the beginning of one thing particular.
So Magic followers, that is your reminder: don’t miss the fantastic thing about this second.
The Orlando Magic are younger, hungry, homegrown and at last — FINALLY — prepared for prime time.
This isn’t only a season. It’s a press release.
The Magic carpet is ready.
Let’s trip.
E mail me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on social media @BianchiWrites and hearken to my new radio present “Sport On” each weekday from 3 to six p.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/hear
