ORLANDO — The annual NBA General Manager survey was released on Thursday, putting the Orlando Magic atop the list for who they believe will be the most improved team.
In the eyes of Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, it does not matter.
“I look at it as everybody's undefeated right now,” said Mosley after Thursday’s practice. “Statistics can say one thing; opinions can say one thing. We've got to get on the floor.”
“And that's why our job is just to get better every day and not think about the outside voices of what they say and their opinions of what we're doing.”
After finishing outside of the top 3 in the same category last season, Orlando finished with 47 percent of the votes, indicating a significant shift in league-wide perception after a big offseason that saw the acquisition of Desmond Bane and the extension of Paolo Banchero.
The Magic lead the Atlanta Hawks and the San Antonio Spurs (20 percent), Philadelphia 76ers (10 percent) and the New Orleans Pelicans (3 percent). Last season, the Memphis Grizzlies won the most votes with 67 percent.
Mosley is not opposed to the ranking, but he is placing greater emphasis on the team’s ability to produce the best possible results.
“You know, great that they think that,” Mosley said. “But now the other side of it is we've got to go out and put a product on the floor that we can be proud of every night.”
Right now, Mosley is focused on making sure the team is game ready, a process with two key words at its core: Conditioning and ownership
“Conditioning,” he said. "You've got to be able to play both sides of the basketball. We talk about being able to run, but us being on the defensive team, that's what we're hanging our hat. You've got to be able to do both.”
After winning their first preseason game, the Magic will have an opportunity to demonstrate their physical capabilities and accountability for themselves and one another against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
“I think this upcoming game will be able to tell us a little bit more,” Mosley said. “I think eight or nine days into training camp, our ability to see that against a different opponent. Having subs, knowing how long guys can go, I'll be able to evaluate it a little bit more as we get into this next game.”
“Them being able to take ownership of what's right, what's wrong, what they feel, what they see, being able to communicate it to one another. I say it time and time again; great teams are based on how well the guys communicate with one another and how they're holding each other back. and that's what this group is really moving towards.”