Apparently you can have too much of a good thing if you are a power ranker.
The Magic’s impressive 3-3 road trip is only impressive because of the low expectations everyone had for this team. That does not make the accomplishment any worse for it getting done. It was a big step forward for the Magic. Just no one is quite ready to take them too seriously yet.
Part of that reason is who the Magic have beaten. Orlando is not exactly defeating the best the NBA has to offer. In fact, the Magic have defeated only one team that made the Playoffs last year — the struggling Charlotte Hornets.
As Channing Frye said, at some point the Magic have to defeat a Playoff team. They nearly did so against the Warriors last week, but fell 2.2 seconds short in the end.
There is still something to defeating the teams you are supposed to. That is a sign of growth. The way the Magic eventually took care of business in Utah and Sacramento were great signs as the team heads home for a more normal schedule before getting a glut of home games around the holidays.
For now, the Magic hold steady in most power rankings in the high 20s or low teens. Probably exactly where everyone would expect the Magic to be . . . until they prove otherwise.
Marc Stein, ESPN.com: No. 19 (Up 2)
First it was Tobias Harris failing to realize that you let Steph Curry shoot any shot he wants in that situation as long as it’s not a 3-pointer. Then it was Elfrid Payton airballing back-to-back free throws. What probably escaped your attention: Orlando just went 3-3 on a long trip out West.
Matt Moore, CBS Sports: No. 16 (Up 9)
They went 3-3 on their West trip, and lost to the Warriors when Steph Curry hit a step-back. They’re competitive. Tough to say if that’s the same as good. But they have various pieces which work together: Channing Frye, Tobias Harris, Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton. There’s something there, but getting it to work on a nightly basis is more fortune than execution.
Matt Dollinger, Sports Illustrated: No. 21 (Same)
Victor Oladipo has been downright feathery of late, averaging 18.5 points and 4.3 assists in four December games. Most impressive, he’s shooting 55.1 percent, including 5-of-9 from three-point range.
John Schumann, NBA.com: No. 20 (Up 1)
They let one get away at Golden State, but the Magic are 7-9 on the road (they were 4-37 last season) and 4-5 against the West (6-24 last season) after picking up wins in Phoenix, Utah and Sacramento on a six-game trip. Ben Gordon and Victor Oladipo combined to shoot 60 percent on the trip and Kyle O’Quinn has filled in nicely for Nikola Vucevic at center.
Marc J. Spears, Yahoo! Sports: No. 21 (Same)
Rookie Aaron Gordon was encouraged by Kevin Durant’s quick return because both had foot surgery performed by the same doctor, a source said.
Kurt Helin, Pro Basketball Talk: No. 22 (Up 1)
Of all teams to tip the historic imbalance between the West and East this season (the West has won 70 percent of the games between conferences so far), the Magic are 4-5. And it could have been 5-4 if they had held on against Golden State. Problem this week is they take on Washington and Atlanta of the East.
USA TODAY: No. 23 (Up 1)
Kyle O’Quinn has been a revelation with Nikola Vucevic’s back injury.
Drew Garrison, SB Nation: No. 22 (Down 1)
Orlando went 2-2, losing the games they should have (Clippers, Warriors) and winning the games they should have (Jazz, Cousins-less Kings). They’ve been consistent all season, but the mark their hitting is a below-average one.
The Magic get back to work Tuesday for practice before Wednesday’s game against the Wizards. They then face the Hawks back to back in Atlanta on Friday and Orlando on Saturday.
