The things we saw from the Magic’s 101-84 opening night loss to the New Orleans Hornets Pelicans.
1. This was definitely opening night.
With 18 turnovers and 25 fouls, you could tell this was an early season NBA game. The Hornets Pelicans also did not shoot particularly well. Things will clean up as we go along.
2. There will be no contract hangover for Nikola Vucevic.
With 15 points and 23 rebounds, Vooch looked like a beast in this one, despite routinely going against the NBA’s next big thing, Anthony Davis. I expect this to be his best season yet by a long shot and he should get heavy all-star consideration.
3. The moment was not too big for Elfrid Payton.
The scoring is not there for Payton, but that is not a sign that he was in over his head. Physically, the rookie is ready to go and flashed his ability to be an able rebounder from his position as well as an adept passer.
4. The Magic will be light years better when Victor Oladipo returns.
Ben Gordon is no longer capable of providing a team the kind of minutes Orlando is requiring in the early going. A shaky preseason that carried into opening night reiterated the long-term project status of Evan Fournier.
5. Davis and Omer Asik create a unique problem for teams that will help fuel a playoff run.
Coming off a breakout year, everyone is talking about how season three is the year the former Kentucky Wildcat ascends to superstar status. It also appears he might be the unique type of talent that Asik can gel with in the post. Both players racked up 17 boards. Expect New Orleans to be a playoff team.
