Category: Orlando Magic Blog

Magic may be close to firing Jacque Vaughn

The 15-34 Orlando Magic have the fifth worst winning percentage in the NBA so far this season, and have lost seven games in a row. Head coach Jacque Vaughn’s job may be in jeopardy. Yahoo Sports reports:

The Orlando Magic are close to firing coach Jacque Vaughn and a change could come soon, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

As embarrassing losses accumulate, Vaughn is rapidly running out of time to show the progress needed to make it through the next several days – never mind the fourth and final year of his contract in 2015-’16, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

“It isn’t a matter of ‘if,’ anymore, but ‘when,’” a source close to the decision-making process told Yahoo Sports about Vaughn’s fading job security.

Orlando Magic Team Notes

Faster pace of play proving effective for the Magic: Orlando recorded a 121-114 victory on January 12 at Chicago before returning to Amway Center on January 14 where the Magic defeated the Rockets, 120-113. This marked the first time since February 13-16, 1996 that Orlando has scored 120+ points in consecutive outings. During the last four games (January 12-present), the Orlando Magic are averaging 109.0 points per game (436 points).

Payton makes Magic history again: Magic rookie guard Elfrid Payton registered a career-high 22 points and 12 assists against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 16. With this performance, Payton became the youngest player in Orlando Magic history to record at least 20 points and 10 assists in a game.

Vučević and Oladipo both record a pair of 30-point games: Magic center Nikola Vučević posted a career-high 34 points against Portland on January 10 and followed that up with a 33-point effort in Chicago on January 12. Magic guard Victory Oladipo also poured in 33 points in Chicago before scoring 32 against the Houston Rockets on January 14. This marked the first time that each player has scored 30 or more points in back-to-back games in their respective careers.

Magic among the NBA’s best in takeaways: The Orlando Magic recorded a season-high 14 steals in their win over the Houston Rockets on January 14. The Magic have notched at least five steals in 38 games this season, which is tied for the third most in the NBA.

Frye has found his touch from 3-point range: Magic forward Channing Frye connected on five 3-pointers against the Rockets on January 14 and four 3-pointers against the Grizzlies on January 16. This was the 12th time in his career that Frye made four or more 3-pointers in back-to-back contests and it marked the second time he has accomplished the feat in a Magic uniform. Frye is shooting 39.3 percent (81-of-219) from long range during the 2014-15 campaign.

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting on Magic rookie forward Aaron Gordon, who is ready to return to action whenever the team decides to use him:

Gordon has been cleared for all basketball activities, including playing in games, but he remained on the inactive list for the Orlando Magic’s game Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Magic coach Jacque Vaughn noted that Gordon hasn’t played any five-on-five yet, and he wants to ensure Gordon is fully prepared to play when he does eventually return to action.

“He’s played some one-on-one, a little bit of two-on-two, shooting, individual workouts but no other nine guys on the floor at the same time with him,” Vaughn said.

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting some relatively good news about a key member of the Magic:

In the midst of a three-game losing streak, the Orlando Magic needed some good news.

That welcome news arrived when X-rays of Channing Frye’s injured right elbow were examined.

The X-rays revealed no fractures, a team official said Sunday. Frye’s availability to practice and play in games will be determined on a day-to-day basis.

Frye, a 31-year-old power forward, sat out the entire second half of the Magic’s 98-90 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night because of the injury, which was labeled as a strain.

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting on some Magic-related hard work:

Dewayne Dedmon has plenty to be thankful for when he looks over the last year.

On Jan. 1, 2014, he was a member of the NBA Development League’s Santa Cruz Warriors, hoping an NBA team would just give him a chance.

On Thursday, exactly one year later, Dedmon spent New Year’s Day in a far different situation: as a member of the Orlando Magic. Not only is he on an NBA roster, but lately he’s carved out consistent minutes in the Magic’s playing rotation.

“It’s definitely gratifying,” Dedmon said. “It definitely shows that in 2014 I really put in a lot of work and hard work does actually pay off. It means a lot. If you look back at what 2014 had in store for me and to be where I am right now, it’s definitely gratifying.”

This week, the Orlando Magic will play a pair of back-to-backs sets this week, beginning tonight, December 29, in Miami where they will take on the Heat (7:30 p.m. EST). The team will return to Orlando for three consecutive contests at Amway Center as they host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, December 30 (7 p.m. EST). The Magic will start the New Year with back-to-back home games against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, January 2 (7 p.m. EST), and the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, January 3 (7 p.m. EST).

Orlando showing improvement on the road: With their victory over the Charlotte Hornets on December 27, the Magic secured their eighth win away from Amway Center this season. Orlando has won twice as many games on the road in 2014-15 than they did during the 2013-14 season.

Magic start strong on the defensive end against Boston: On December 23, the Orlando Magic held the Celtics to only nine points during the first quarter, which is tied for the second-fewest in any first quarter in franchise history. The fewest points ever allowed during a first quarter is eight, set back on Nov. 23, 1994 vs. Houston and again on Apr. 22, 1999 vs. Miami.

Orlando’s marksmen among the best in the NBA: The Orlando Magic are shooting .377 (232-615 3FG) from three-point range in 2014-15, which ranks fourth in the NBA as of December 28.

Harris providing a consistent source of offense for the Magic in 2014-15: Magic forward Tobias Harris has scored in double figures in all 31 games that he has played this season (Oct. 28-present). This marks the longest streak of scoring 10+ points in his career. When Harris scores at least 20 points, the Magic are 7-5.

Vucevic gets his teammates involved: Magic center Nikola Vučević registered a career-high seven assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 26 to go along with his 12 points and eight rebounds. Vučević’s seven assists ties him for the second-most in a single game by a center in franchise history.

O’Quinn turns in stellar performance against the Celtics: Magic forward Kyle O’Quinn registered 18 points and 13 rebounds on 6-of-12 shooting in Orlando’s win over the Boston Celtics on December 23. O’Quinn’s 18 points are the fourth-most he has scored in a game, while his 13 rebounds are tied for the third-most he has grabbed in a game in his career.

— Orlando Magic notes

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting some happy news for Magic guard Victor Oladipo:

The best Christmas present Victor Oladipo received this year came from a doctor.

A physician gave the Orlando Magic guard permission to jettison the clear, protective mask that he had been wearing to protect the surgically repaired bones on the right side of his face.

Oladipo played without the mask during the Magic’s 98-89 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

“I don’t have to wear it anymore,” Oladipo said. “That was my Christmas gift. So Merry Christmas.”

Orlando Magic guard Devyn Marble has been assigned to the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Marble (6’6”, 200, 9/21/92) has appeared in five games during his rookie season with Orlando, averaging 0.8 ppg. in 1.0 minpg. Originally selected in the second round (56th overall) by Denver, his draft rights, along with Evan Fournier, were acquired by Orlando in exchange for Arron Afflalo on June 26.

Marble played in 136 career games during four years at the University of Iowa, averaging 12.5 ppg., 3.4 rpg., 2.9 apg. and 1.29 stlpg. in 27.6 minpg. He ranks second on the school’s all-time games played list with 136. Marble also ranks in Hawkeyes’ history in scoring (fifth, 1,694 points), assists (sixth, 397) and steals (seventh, 176).

Orlando Magic forward Kyle O’Quinn has been fined $15,000 for making excessive contact above the shoulders with Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The foul on O’Quinn, for which he was assessed a Flagrant 2 and ejected, occurred with 5:54 remaining in the second quarter of the Clippers’ 114-86 win over the Magic on Dec. 3, at Staples Center.

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting on talented young Magic guard Victor Oladipo, who is still on the rise as he develops, and as his team learns how best to utilize him:

During Tuesday night’s 98-97 heartbreaking loss to the same Warriors who decimated the Magic a week earlier, Oladipo markedly improved his decision-making. In one of the most efficient performances of his brief pro career, Oladipo sank 10 of his 14 shot attempts and scored 27 points.

“He’ll continue to work on his game and continue to play with these guys,” coach Jacque Vaughn said. “He’ll continue to learn how to play with that mask on, and things will become more comfortable with him.”

Oladipo has struggled at times to adapt to the point guard spot since the Magic selected him second overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. A natural shooting guard, he had never played the point before, and his first regular season felt like on-the-job training.