NBA Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic GM Rob Hennigan is Right to Expect Improvement in 2014-15

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Rob Henningan, Orlando Magic

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The Orlando Magic officially opened the 2014-15 season by giving the media a preview of what was to come.

Magic GM Rob Hennigan did not pull any punches on media day today. There was no hint of “rebuilding” in his voice. Right from the start, Hennigan believes that the roster he has assembled can make some noise in the East this season. He uttered these words:

“This is an important year to see growth and progress for us. We expect to see growth.”

In translation, Hennigan said:

“We have a team that can make the playoffs this year. We expect to make the playoffs.”

I don’t blame Hennigan for expecting the Magic to be good this season. If you are a follower of my work — and I recommend it – you will know that I believe the roster Hennigan has assembled is good enough to make the playoffs in an Eastern Conference that is still watered down.

Victor Oladipo should take his game to the next level. Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic are ready to be All-Stars. Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon will be better than a lot of people think they will, and Channing Frye and Ben Gordon will provide the Magic with offense and veteran leadership, plus the bench is far more talented than the previous three seasons.

So I agree with Hennigan on expecting the Magic to finally turn the corner after two years of rebuilding. Orlando cannot use the “we’re rebuilding” excuse this season, and Jacque Vaughn is going to have to prove to Hennigan and the Magic’s fanbase that he can get this team to the playoffs.

We’re not asking the Magic to win 50 games; they’re not a 50-win team. But 40-44 wins and a seventh or eighth seed is obtainable, and Hennigan is largely responsible for putting together a roster capable of doing so. It’s now time for the Magic to make their move.

Rebuilding is over.

Kareem Gantt is an NBA featured writer and covers the Orlando Magic for Rant Sports. For more from this author, ‘follow’ him on Twitter, ‘like’ him on Facebook, and ‘add’ him to your network on Google. 

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