The Magic team in the Eastern Conference will quietly compete for the championship.

After the first round of the NBA regular season, the Lakers, Clippers, and Rockets, all of the big traffic teams in the Western Conference, ended up losing. Only the Warriors defended the glory of the wealthy teams and got off to a good start in the first game. As Curry said in the offseason, he believes that the Warriors have a good chance of winning the championship next year.

Even though the attention in the Eastern Conference is far less than that of the Western Conference, the competition is still very fierce, and there is basically a chance to hit the playoffs. The Atlanta Hawks, who made drastic changes in the offseason and performed impressive operations, were defeated by 20 points by the Raptors, who had very average financial strength. In Trae Young's words: "We haven't gotten along yet, and the tacit understanding is not enough." This summer, the Eagles have introduced many high-quality players such as Boshen, Alexander Walker, and Kennard as reinforcements. The team has the assists king + steals king. Logically speaking, its strength should not be underestimated.

The Hawks' integration is not as good as expected. So, which other team in the East can surprise everyone? Here I would like to nominate a super unpopular team-the Orlando Magic.

In the past two years, the Magic's regular season winning rate has exceeded 50%, and they have entered the playoffs. Although they have been eliminated in the first round in a row, their overall performance has been much better than in the weak period of previous years, and the team as a whole is very young and full of potential. Their offensive rhythm is not fast, but their positional warfare is very solid and their defense is quite strong. It's hard to imagine that last season, the Magic ranked last in the league in many statistics, ranking third from the bottom in points per game (105.4), fourth from the bottom in rebounds (41.8 per game), first in assists per game (23.0), and ranking first in three-point shooting percentage and content.

However, the Magic can still squeeze into the playoffs with a 50% winning rate, thanks to the team's excellent physical talent and strong defense. They have a majority of forward players, and the lineup is as tall and long as the Rockets. Last season, the Magic were last in the league in so many statistics, but they were outstanding in blocks and defense. Among them, they ranked first in the league with an average of 6.0 blocks per game, and their defensive efficiency was 109.1, ranking second in the league, second only to the defending champion Thunder.

Such advantages and disadvantages are very clear. It is difficult for the Magic to achieve further breakthroughs in the playoffs based on last season's lineup alone. However, the new season is different. The Magic completed a blockbuster trade in the offseason, sending away Cole Anthony, Caldwell-Pope, 4 first-rounders and a first-round swap to acquire Desmond Bane from the Grizzlies.

At the time, this deal was not worth it to the Magic. How could Bane, who had never been selected as an All-Star, be worth so many chips? Bane was even just the third player in charge of the Grizzlies, but he actually got 4 first-round picks. Durant was traded from the Suns to the Rockets and only got one first-round pick. However, the Magic obviously consider more than just this immediate bargaining chip. They see Bane's deeper value, which is his suitability with the team; Bane is simply the perfect piece of reinforcement for the Magic. He is one of the best three-point shooters in the league.

Since entering the league in 2020, he is one of only three players in the NBA who has made 800 three-pointers and achieved a three-point shooting rate of 40%. In the past five seasons, his catch-and-shoot three-point shooting rate has been as high as 43.2%.

In addition, Bane can also play a certain role in organizing and linking the Magic. The Magic originally lacked a No. 1 guard who could organize. In the first game of the NBA regular season, the Magic faced the Heat. Bane made a stunning debut, shooting 7 of 18 from the field and 3 of 7 three-pointers, scoring 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. At the same time, No. 1 pick Banchero made 7 of 17 shots and scored 24 points, 11 rebounds and 1 assist; Wagner Jr. made 9 of 17 shots and scored 24 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists. The three of them scored 71 points together, helping the Magic get a good start.

Don't mention it, the Big Three of the Magic really have something to say. Banchero's personal ability has steadily improved in recent years. Although his aura of No. 1 pick is not as good as that of Ben Yama, Zion and others, he has a solid grasp of basic skills, a mature and practical style of play, and a stable All-Star level. Wagner Jr. is the top leader of the German men's basketball team and has gone through many experiences in the international arena.

One of the three strongest giants in the East may emerge! Indeed, most of the league's Big Three are now in the West. It's hard to find anyone in the Eastern Division who is more powerful than the Magic trio.

The Knicks have Brunson + Towns, but Bridges' ability is not that good, so it makes no sense to force his way into the Big Three; the Celtics' Tatum will not return until the end of the regular season, and the team's early record cannot be guaranteed; last season's Eastern Conference champion Pacers, boss Haliburton will be reimbursed for the season, and the team will most likely fall down. The Cavaliers rely too much on Mitchell. Mobley is okay, but Allen and Garland are a bit soft. If they have to force themselves, the Cavaliers should be considered the Big Four instead of the Big Three. The 76ers' Embiid + George + Maxi were really good in previous years, but this season, Maxi may be the only one who can play.

Looking at it this way, the Magic really have a good chance of standing out in the Eastern Conference next year. What do you think?