Magic 'Ascending' Into Top of Eastern Conference?
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic may not make it to the mountaintop of the NBA this year as the team sits outside of the playoff picture with just a quarter left in the season.
But that doesn't mean the team isn't improving.
Bleacher Report labeled all 30 teams with one word to describe them, and the Magic's word was "ascending."
"Teams with bottom-five records aren't finished products," Bleacher Report writes. "The Magic are no exception. But their core is showing signs of appreciable growth and staying power, and they're about to add another high-end lottery pick, Chicago's first-rounder (top-four protected) and oodles of cap space to their offseason armory. There is almost no limit to the kind of leap Orlando can make next year."
This year's leap has been small, but noticeable. The team has already surpassed its win total from a year ago (24) and likely rosters the Rookie of the Year in Paolo Banchero.
Since starting the season 5-20, the Magic has played above .500 ever since and is even making an outside run at the play-in if a bunch goes right for the team in the final month of the season.
But next year? Orlando has a shot to ascend to brand new heights.
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