https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X1xiV7UOLA
It has been the common refrain from the Orlando Magic throughout the summer — both from management and from the players. This is the year the Magic need to turn the corner and start winning. A sub-30-win season would be viewed as an extreme disappointment and not being in at least the Playoff conversation would be a failed season.
The Magic have spent three years collecting assets and building a group of young players. They know a fan base’s patience only runs so thin before apathy or anger set in (you hope it is the latter or that the latter does not turn into the former).
The 2016 season will be a very big one. The whole organization has set their sights high and have promised the team will be competitive — flirting with the Playoffs at the very least. They have to make up it seems for a lost season in 2015.
The good news is the players are not hiding from this responsibility either.
During Summer League just about every player spoke about the need to turn the corner and start winning. They all recognize the failures they had in 2015 and what needs to change in 2016.
Victor Oladipo is the latest to do so. At a charity event he told John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com the only goal for the team is winning. There are no more excuses for another failed season:
“I’m looking forward to (the season) because we have a lot of young talent. I feel like we have a lot of the pieces to be successful.
“We’ve been together for awhile, for a couple of years now and we’re tired of using the ‘we’re too young’ excuse. It’s just time to win.”
Oladipo is going to be one of the key players for the team this year. He said both he and Tobias Harris, another key player who has to grow into a leadership role, spoke extensively while they were in Las Vegas for Team USA training camp earlier this year about what they need to do to push the team forward. There is a fair amount of responsibility and ownership these guys are trying to take on.
It is easy to say but much harder to put into action though. The Magic will need a lot more internal improvement for them to achieve their goals — both to become competitive and to compete for a Playoff spot.
At least the Magic players are taking ownership and understand how important a stage they are at.
Training camp opens September 26.
