The Orlando Magic Just Put the NBA on Notice | HHT 66
On the 66th episode of Hot Hand Theory, Geoff and XJ explain why everyone wrote off the Orlando Magic way too early—and why this team is about to prove the doubters wrong.
After a bumpy 5-6 start with Desmond Bane struggling and close losses piling up, the media buried the Magic. But here’s what the panic merchants missed: this team has championship-level talent, a starting lineup that’s +19.1 per 100 possessions, and is experiencing cold shooting variance that won’t last. The fundamentals are elite. The pieces are all there. And everyone who wrote them off is about to look foolish.
Despite all this, there’s one thing holding them back: coaching deployment. We break down why Jamahl Mosley needs to unleash Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero as the primary initiators, why having three elite additive players (Bane, Suggs, Carter) around your two stars is a contender formula, and what tactical adjustments need to happen for Orlando to reach their ceiling.
We also explain why the Desmond Bane trade was brilliant even while he’s shooting poorly, how his gravity is already elevating Franz and Paolo, why the bench will bounce back, and what the game-winner symbolizes for this team’s trajectory.
We cover:
🔹 Why Desmond Bane’s shooting slump is variance, not a talent problem—and why it won’t last
🔹 The starting lineup’s dominance: +19.1 per 100 despite cold shooting
🔹 How Bane’s gravity is already improving Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero’s efficiency
🔹 The real problem: Jamal Mosley’s tactical deployment and why Franz needs the ball more
🔹 How the Magic compare to the East contenders and what they need to do to compete with New York and Cleveland
💬 Let us know in the comments: Will Desmond Bane turn it around? And is Jamal Mosley’s coaching holding this team back?
If you value analytical depth over hot takes and want NBA breakdown that explains WHY variance matters and HOW teams should deploy talent, subscribe and catch every episode.
#OrlandoMagic #Magic #DesmondBane #PaoloBanchero #FranzWagner #JalenSuggs #HotHandTheory #NBAPodcast #NBAAnalysis #MagicBasketball #EasternConference #NBASeason #NBA #GameWinner #BuzzerBeater #JamahlMosley
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Timestamps:
0:00 | Preview
0:58 | Intro: the Orlando Magic
3:41 | The Magic’s Bizarro Start
7:10 | Positive regression is coming
9:31 | Desmond Bane’s shooting+additive impact
13:55 | What could prevent Orlando from hitting its ceiling?
16:48 | Jamahl Mosley needs to give Paolo & Franz the keys
18:30 | Franz and Paolo’s synergy
24:26 | What if it doesn’t turn around?
27:30 | Following the Cavs and Knicks?
29:08 | Please Comment & SUBSCRIBE
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39 Comments
I had Orlando 1 and Knicks 2 before season prediction. But just as Orlando will play better so will the Knicks and some other teams. Looking forward to rest of the season. Knicks unlocked with Brown! Boo Thibs 👎
Not an impressive win for the magic IMO. Feels like bane is not getting enough 3 point opportunities and their defense has been lackluster. I don’t see them on the level of Cleveland, NYC, or Detroit thus far
Do you still think the Magic are cooked? Or do you think this is a temporary bump? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 👇🏾
I also think looking at lineup +- this early is not accurately reflecting the performance of lineups. Orlando has feasted against bad teams
Damn guys! Y’all are talking about the poor bench play without even mentioning the absence of the Magic’s 4th best scorer from last year!! What’s his name again??
That’s right! Mo Wagner!!
He was playing 19 MPG while averaging 13 PPG and 36% from 3 before his ACL injury on game #30. Hopefully he returns next month and playing like his old self by the end of January. We are also waiting for Suggs to play full games again.
I believe the Magic will be just fine.
I am wary of Paolo. Last night's missed FT seemed like an obvious conclusion because of his performance variance
Hey fellas, I just happen to stumble on your channel and watched this video. As a long time Magic fan I completely agree with your assessment of the Magic, pretty spot on the only thing I disagree with is Mosley is not the coach to bring the best out of these players I don’t think he will be the coach to take this team to the top. His rotations, his offensive strategies, and his coaching ability is what has limited this team. Many times already this season I’ve seen Franz go minutes without touching the ball and that cannot happen. I like AB but I don’t want him with in pick n roll situations or have a higher usage rate than Franz and I just don’t think Mosley has the creativity to get the best out of these players
I agree .., they trying to figure it out they’re going to be great playoffs time
Absolutely great content you explained everything that’s going on with Orlando Magic. I think during playoff time there’s not going to be one team that wants to play the Orlando Magic. They’re going to be really good once they figure it out and I think they have a really good coach also, he just needs tomake better adjustments offensively stop having his players just run to the three-point line and stand there that’s bananas what you guys did a good job and explained everything correctly
Finally some rational people talking about my team. It really feels like the team is getting better each game and the chemistry is building. Once Suggs is off that minutes restriction, Mo Wagner is back in the lineup, and the rotations are solidified, I see the Magic going on a run.
Tired of the negativity involving the Magic rn. The negativity seems to be dominating discussions on the Magic. Appreciate that you guys are able to see and discuss the improvements and indicators that this team IS moving in a positive direction
carter is playing like a madman. i'd like to take this opportunity to thank Angel Reese for putting him in a perpetual state of "gotta impress my lady" 🤣
I have been a Magic fan since 1989, lm trying to drink the KoolAid but it’s been 37 years waiting for a championship, so I’m just trying not to get too excited about your thoughts on my team! Fan 4 Life!
I don’t think y’all watch the games. Respectful Which is understandable, people can’t watch every game. But there all some structural flaws in this team. Talent is there but they are aimless. Mose gotta go
Great take on the Magic 💯
The credentialed media we have now is very skewed and honestly a little star struck imo 🤩
But they love the Magic like all us die hard Magic fans do and do a great job at what they do
Great take on what’s happening in Orlando yall 🔥
They’re struggling because they’re learning how to play like a contender, not because they lack the tools.
This isn’t a bad team losing. it’s a good young team learning how to win consistently.
Youtube put you guys on my homepage as a recommended video – this is my first time seeing you guys and I agree with everything you said. I think a key thing a lot of Magic fans don't consider is that 11 games in we've already had 3 back-to-backs. That's 6 games of inconsistent line ups because Jalen Suggs isn't playing 2nd nights yet. We've also definitely not seen the best of the starting 5 yet and they're already putting up great numbers as a unit. A lot of us probably just think about Bane slotting into the starting line up, but we forget that those other starting 4 players played together as a unit last season. I think I heard somewhere that Paolo, Franz and Jalen only played something like 90 minutes together all of last season. It's not just Bane getting used to them, but it's all of them getting used to each other.
Your comments about Moseley are spot on. There's already a lot of unhappiness from the fans but the real indicator will be if and when he ever loses the players. The roster is too good to let bad coaching hold it back. I really like Mose and hope he does get us playing to the level we expect, but I won't be entirely surprised if it doesn't happen and we're sitting here with a new head coach in 12 months time
I appreciated this take.
In regards to Suggs, injuries and the drafting Paolo have slowed down his development as the lead ballhandler. I think they should lean more into developing Suggs as a PG, so that the game becomes easier for Paolo. As was mentioned, running a PnR with Franz and Paolo is borderline pointless unless one of them becomes a 40% 3PT shooter. But a PnR with Suggs and Paolo? That makes sense. Same with Bane and Paolo. Get him some easy dunks, layups, etc.
This was always going to be a clarifying year for Mose. I like him. But if the Magic don't make the 2nd round, unfortunately for him you would have to make a change. Last 6 games the Magic are playing like a contender though. Top 10 offense and Top 10 defense in that span. 54 win pace. Paolo shooting over 50% from the field. A lot of the in house Magic players are having their best season or good seasons. Bane and Tyus only ones struggling. On paper…there is a dominant team in there.
Helluva analysis. Magic fan here! Thanks for calming me Down! 😂❤️🔥
Geoff sed the biggest truth:
1st- Orlando Magic problem is Jamahal Mosley.
He don't know how to teach Paolo Banchero.
He can't play with out the ball on hand, he pass the ball to late, the yo-yo ball handle don't allow the rest of the team free to abuse thanks to their individual talent. Paolo have to bo be more unselfish, he has to play better defense. Mosley coach every Night the same way, he take out Wagner out in the 1st quarter when he have a hot hands, always sid him first before he sid down Banchero. He kneed to play more pick and rolls plays with D. Banes. Sugs kneed to shoot more when Banchero is off. Wagner don't get the respect from the referies. Onother problem they draft 2 rookies and they don't get playing time when is others rookies playing minutes every Night. Tyus Jones was a Bad sign when Russell Westbrook was a free agent. DaSilva kneed more minutes when Banchero is not producing. Better give to Jase Richardson minutes now he is going to be a better player better than Jones. Mosley is going to Lost his job if he don't do better with the bench players ans use more the rookies. Tarde Goga and Howard.
This Knicks Magic game will be interesting Geoff and XJ, who do you guys have winning tonight?
Also keep in mind we haven't played good teams. WCJ's shooting will regress. So while I agree with things you've said, I also think there won't be as much of regression to the positive due to playing better teams and WCJ regressing to the negative. Mos has to go. He's playing checkers, while other coaches are playing chess. His offense is rudimentary at best. These dudes need to go to the next level. Anything less than a 4th seed means Mos has to go.
Play Tha Song!!!
As a long time Magic fan, I appreciate your perspective and agree with everything you’ve laid out. I believe the team is starting to come together. My biggest concern coming into the season was Coach Moseley’s ability to maximize our guys potential. He has proven excellent at developing a team, but is he really the one who will push our team over the top. I also wonder how long a leash the front office gives him. All interesting things to watch as the season unfolds. I’ve learned not to put too much weight into preseason “expectations”……. Being a lifelong Jags fan cured me of that 😂 But I do believe if utilized properly, this team will be special and achieve great things.
As a Magic fan I do feel like this was an accurate representation of our team issues right now. I think among Magic fans it’s pretty spot on to expect this year to be a make or break year for Mose. My only issue with some is that people are already willing to bury Mose 11 games into the season. I’m willing to at least give him till mid-late Dec to turn things around. I think they’ll turn it around in all honesty but if it doesn’t change by the half-way point of the season then I do agree that this will be Mose’s last year. Just disagree with immediately tryna can him now
Mosley is the worst coach in the nba right now
Do not typically see such good coverage from non Magic exclusive content makers. Bravo and thank you.
There are a lot of frustrating things but the most frustrating thing for me is them not utilizing Jonathan Isaac optimally or TDS or Bane. There are a lot of hiccups but not successfully incorporating those guys is infuriating MOST TO ME. There's no way Jonathan Isaac should be playing less than 25 minutes. Basketball is about more than scoring it's about how impactful you are…whether you score or not. Every time JI on the floor he is IMPACTFUL. Even if he can only hit 3 pointers in one spot
I'm one of those Magic fans who've seen your recommendations. Solid takes. Subscribed,
Start calling Franz The boogie Man instead of just Boogie
Because he's a nightmare for opponents
28:35 KNICKS transformed their deployment and still got cooked lmao
The Magic beating the knicks was a statement win last night!!! Shout out to Franz x Desmond x AB x Suggs x WCJ and the crew leading the way LFG!!! 🪄✨️
and they just blew out new york in new york with paolo out the 2nd half, they got their mojo back
The follow up game vs the Knicks without Paolo made them look really poised
Once the Magic fully click they are gonna be a absolute monstrosity of a team! 💪🏻🏁🔥🏀🏆
Hey guys youtube sent me your way as a magic fan. Enjoyed the conversation and pretty accurate assessment. I would dispute that Mose is utilising Suggs or Black as traditional PG at the expense of Paolo or Franz. Franz and Paolo handle the ball plenty, they are increasingly using Bane / Paolo actions, Bane seems to be initiating more than Suggs. Think they are slowly working out how to work together. Looking forward to watching it come together
Bring in mark jackson!
Well, this take aged well.
I try not to get too high when the Knicks are winning, not too low when they are losing. The ongoing giant unanswered question remains: Can the Knicks continue to thrive against teams stacked with athletic longbois who are a̶l̶l̶o̶w̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶f̶o̶u̶l̶ ̶r̶e̶p̶e̶a̶t̶e̶d̶l̶y̶ ̶renowned for their defensive prowess? We don’t have new answers after last night.