The good, the bad, and the ugly from the Orlando Magic’s 114-90 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
End Project Oladipo Point Guard
Especially on a night where Evan Fournier was unavailable, why stick to Victor Oladipo running the point while providing scant early minutes for rookie Elfrid Payton? If this is to be the Orlando backcourt of the future, then Magic coach Jacque Vaughn should be giving them more opportunity to grow together. Through the first three quarters, Payton played just over seven minutes. Letting Willie Green get major run just does not help anyone accomplish anything.
Fournier’s Shooting Was Missed
Key to the Magic’s surprising shooting success early in the season has been Evan Fournier. Fournier, nursing a left heel contusion, should not be out long, but his absence was notable tonight. Orlando missed the spacing he provides and did not have his clutch shot making ability to keep pace with the Clippers.
Magic Buzz Building Back
Even with the off night on the court, everyone around the Magic organization has something to celebrate. Wednesday’s crowd early on was one of the largest, loudest, and most engaged groups I have seen on a weekday at the Amway in recent memory. People are starting to buy back into an exciting young team with several intriguing pieces. There is more water cooler talk about the team that at any point in the Hennigan/Vaughn era and that can only be a good thing.
The Clippers Aren’t Who They Should Be
This is not the same Clippers team that was perhaps the league’s best offensive group last year. LA has struggled and sits at just 5-5 at this juncture with some bad losses mixed in. CBS Sports’ NBA writer Matt Moore had a great look today at what might be wrong with the Clippers and how to fix it. They rode a hot third quarter like many teams have against the Magic onto respectable numbers on the final box score, but they still seem out of sync.
