Toronto Raptors Roundtable: Orlando Magic preview
Who on the Magic worries you the most offensively other than Vucevic?
Mark Birdsell:
The player that worries me the most is Aaron Gordon. The Magic have a log jam in the frontcourt, which leaves either Gordon or Isaac to play out of position. Gordon is essentially Blake Griffin lite.
The Magic tried to turn Gordon into Paul George, but Gordon could really thrive if he was allowed to play at the four full-time. Gordon also has good size to match up with Kawhi Leonard. No one on the Magic is capable of shutting Leonard down, but Gordon should at least make him work.
Mike Bossetti:
The Magic have many third and fourth options other than Vucevic, but no real second option.
However, their only consistent scoring threat from the perimeter is Evan Fournier, so stopping him will be important. Fournier can shoot, create off the dribble, and even run the pick-and-roll. He’s not an elite offensive player, but he’s solid in every area the Magic desperately need him to be.
Jordan Skuse:
Raptor fans are familiar with what a hot Terrence Ross looks like. Evan Fournier is no slouch and can always heat up in a hurry. Then there’s D.J. Augustin, who in 37 career games versus Toronto, has shot a scorching 48 percent from beyond the arc.
As prolific as the Magic’s other offensive weapons can be, I don’t think they have what it takes to defeat this Raptors team four times. I do believe Orlando’s guns will go off LOUDLY in one game — either Game 3 or 4 –, briefly rocking Toronto’s boat.
Raju Byfield:
The player that worries me the most on the Orlando Magic is one of the more inconsistent, but familiar players, Terrence Ross.
Ross has arguably been the Magic’s second-best player in their two wins against the Toronto Raptors. He averaged 21 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 three-pointers per game on .483 shooting in those contests.
Ross may not even be top five on the Magic in terms of talent, but he has certainly been the X-factor for the Magic in their regular season wins against the Raps. In their losses he averaged 5.5 points on 10 shots per game, good for a .200 shooting line.