Orlando Magic have to earn any recognition, respect

Orlando Magic have been dormant since Dwight Howard left town a decade ago. The team made the playoffs twice in 2019 and 2020. Jeff Weltman's second stage of rebuilding under him has been successful. NBA fans are listing the Magic high on their list of League Pass teams. There is some excitement for this team and eagerness to see what they can do.

Orlando Magic are still searching for respect and notoriety in the NBA scene. Paolo Banchero is the only Magic player to make it to ESPN's #NBARank of the top 100 players in NBA. Every member of All-Rookie First Team made the list except Franz Wagner. The Magic had one of worst records in league last season. They did not have flashy players that got social media buzzing with gaudy stat lines. They dropped to the bottom of standings and remained irrelevant. It was easy to forget the Magic exist. Their last record was one game worse than the previous season's. There were good signs of growth throughout the season, but they did nothing to earn respect.

Orlando Magic have the top pick in the draft and have an early season game on TNT. Banchero is the only Magic player on ESPN's list. Orlando needs to win more to gain more respect. The team needs respect and attention from the NBA. The Magic haven't done much to earn any attention. Winning is all that matters in this league. They need to focus on that. It's the team's focus. If they become a team that everyone believes can make the playoffs and make noise beyond it, then the players will reap the attention too. Wendell Carter, Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony are good players.