by Tracy Weissenberg / @basketballista
After six straight playoff appearances from 2007-12, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2009, Orlando is trying to climb back into contention. Last season, the first without Dwight Howard, the Magic won 20 games, ranking second fewest in franchise history.
With the second pick in the Draft, the Magic selected guard Victor Oladipo, who is already showing glimpses of unique versatility and strong defense. While the 21-year-old out of Indiana is currently coming off the bench, he is averaging about 25 minutes per game and doing a little bit of everything on the floor.
This season, the Magic’s future is looking a bit brighter, with the combination of a young, active core and veterans like Arron Afflalo, who continues to add different facets to his game. This November, the team notched impressive wins against the Nets and Clippers.
While Oladipo is growing on the court, Magic fans will enjoy getting to know him on a personal level as well. A video featuring Oladipo singing a duet at a showcase in college recently made the rounds on the internet. Regardless of the stage, it seems the spotlight will continue to shine on the multi-talented rookie.
