Orlando, FL - Winning is becoming a routine for the new and improved Orlando Magic. Cruising towards 4th quarter runs in the last few minutes has never been easier for this group, and it’s nearly entirely credited to one half of the court: defense. When watching these games, you see a certain ferocity from the current 3-seed that’s reminiscent of the '90s-style grit-and-grind NBA. Guys dive for loose balls and make countless bell-ringing plays strictly out of force of habit. Most people attribute NBA basketball’s “watchability” to shooting like Steph or dunking like LeBron. I’d argue the Orlando Magic are putting up nightly defensive efforts that are nothing short of an art form. 

So how did the Magic suddenly rise to defensive stardom in this league? Did it happen overnight? Many forget the 2022-2023 Orlando Magic, fresh off of a bottom-of-the-league season, managed to earn the league’s 16th-best defensive rating under 2nd-year coach Jamahl Mosley. This was no surprise to those who were paying attention. The defensive pride that this Magic team takes in every game has been present for a long time, the difference is it only is now translating into success at a *very* high level. Today, we’re going to break down the unsung hero of the Magic’s winning identity – hint: he was drafted 5th overall not too long ago.

Jalen Suggs has been the focal point of Magic's social media controversy for the better part of his tenure in Orlando. Some called for him to be traded, others gave up entirely on the young prospect. The value Suggs brought on the defensive end alone was being so heavily undersold that many believed he didn’t deserve a starting spot heading into the season. This much has been debunked, as anybody who’s tuned into a single home win can tell you his defense is at the heart of this well-oiled Magic machine. 

“There’s no doubt that Suggs will enter the season as Orlando’s best perimeter defender, so it’s truly up to Jalen to see whether he will emerge as one of the league’s best.”

• Orlando Magic HQ (2023-24 Orlando Magic Team Award Predictions Article)

Even without considering Suggs's improvements in the offensive column (improved 3-point % from 32.7 to 37.1), the 3rd-year guard has taken a noticeable leap on the defensive end. As mentioned in the pre-season HQ article, the Magic diehards have been high on Suggs’ defensive abilities for a long time, as he was ranked the Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner for the team-specific awards race. However, most did not expect a defensive leap to be taken from the near-elite status he has displayed in seasons past, as he’s been placed in mock awards as an All-Defensive 1st team selection and currently leading the league in D-EPM.

Fun Fact: Magic center Goga Bitadze ranks 3rd place in the league in this same stat, which measures the estimated plus-minus of the player while on the defensive end of the floor. Check out an HQ-exclusive story on Bitadze’s unique career path here. 

The best part about this uber-successful start to the Magic’s season has been the synergy the team shares. Guys with previously perceived “poor defender” reputations such as Cole Anthony or Paolo Banchero have shown up and proven more than capable on that end of the floor. Everybody that suits up for the Orlando Magic seems to be ready to defend at any moment, putting in that 150% effort simply because you know the next guy up is going to do the same. 

From the outside looking in, the Magic’s root of success lies in the home court advantages as well. On the season Orlando is 11-2 at home (truthfully, 11-1. Mexico City is certainly no Amway Center). Patrons of any home game are certain to tell you that Suggs’ contagious energy isn’t just a party trick– it often single-handedly yanks the Magic back into games. Fans of opposing teams often call his effort “unnecessary”-- we just call it “something the Magic have needed for decades”. It’s no question his ability to get the crowd involved as the true 6th man goes a long way, as every game you attend in Orlando this year is no walk in the park. 

November 9, 2023: Suggs recorded 21 points, 7/10 from the field and 4/5 from three-point range with a career-high 7 steals in a win against the Atlanta Hawks. 

As noted by former Magic forward Aaron Gordon in a podcast with the Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr., players in Orlando were often just showing up to work and playing for the check. This is no day job for these guys, it’s clear they believe in what’s being built by Coach Mosley. Had it not been for a few speed bumps in Brooklyn and Cleveland, the team’s defensive rating could’ve easily stayed atop the league up until this point (they currently rank 3rd). Orlando is also currently tied for the most games holding their opponents under 100 points this season, showing some of their strongest suit even against the league-best offense in the Indiana Pacers.

The Magic will soon face their most challenging stretch of games of the season so far, as a back-to-back against Boston followed by three straight games against teams over .500 will cap off Orlando’s holiday season. Sitting comfortably amongst the contenders of the league, we’ll be able to see just how postseason-built this team really is in the coming weeks. The playoffs are calling our name, Magic fans, so keep showing up, filling the stands, and being the secret weapon for the Magic’s greatness! 

All stats and rankings as of 12/14/2023.