The NBA Season is back! Just like your favorite superhero story, the NBA brings fun, entertainment, and a lot of uncanny subplots to unpack. That’s why NBA.com Philippines decided to preview the new season comic-book style. We pick out fantastic characters that will take the stage and new amazing arcs to watch out for. Bang! Pow! Boom! Let’s go!
What’s their superpower?
The Orlando Magic made quite a leap last year, winning 34 games following consecutive 20-plus win seasons. They are slowly making their way out of the doldrums and into becoming a Play-In team or possibly even a playoff contender. They still have a long way to go but their potential lies in their young roster.
What’s their kryptonite?
Looking ahead, the Magic will have 12 players set to become free agents by 2024, including Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, and Mo Wagner. The talent on the squad is raw and still developing. Eventually, they will have to make decisions regarding what their team will look like in the future. Which guards can carry them to the next level? Who can best complement their rising stars, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner? There are questions that this season can answer.
Who is their biggest hero?
It’s a toss-up between Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Banchero was last year’s Rookie of the Year with an average of 20.0 points per game. He’s a do-it-all forward who made strides during the offseason particularly on the defensive end as part of Team USA. The spotlight will be on him and how’ll deliver in his second year.
Wagner, meanwhile, didn’t experience any sophomore slump last year. He upped his scoring, shooting, and playmaking. He was also a central piece of Germany’s FIBA Basketball World Cup gold medal squad and he will carry that momentum into the new NBA season.
Who is their biggest villain?
At 36, Joe Ingles is the oldest player on Orlando’s roster. No one else is even 30 years old as the Magic are one of the youngest teams in the league. Ingles is a villain in the sense that he will bring his experience and leadership to a group that’s still figuring out how to win. He’s a good kind of villain. Think Gru from Despicable Me - a good-hearted fellow with lofty ambitions. He’s been on winning teams with the Utah Jazz and most recently with the Milwaukee Bucks and he’ll be a key figure in righting the ship on this roster.
How does their story (season) play out?
The Magic can certainly make waves with their budding roster. Banchero and Wagner are on the cusp of stardom and this team’s success relies on how far they can carry them. Increasing their win total from the year before is an ideal goal. They have all the makings of a playoff team and it’s just a matter of putting all the pieces together.
