In just his second season with the Orlando Magic, Franz Wagner plays with the poise of a 10-year veteran. Dripping with confidence, the eighth pick in the 2021 NBA Draft gets a favorable matchup in isolation and takes care of the rest, hitting Thaddeus Young with a couple of between-the-legs dribbles before pulling up and draining a three-pointer from way downtown. A vital piece of Orlando’s present and future, Wagner connected on 12 of 15 field goals for a team-high 34 points in the Magic’s 113-109 victory over the Toronto Raptors on December 9, 2022. 

Franz Wagner

Franz Wagner sizes up defender to bury deep triple at end of quarter

Post up class is in session! Big man Nikola Vučević of the Orlando Magic shows us how it’s done by spinning off his defender and dropping the sweet left-handed jumper against the Milwaukee Bucks on August 18, 2020.

Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vučević spins into push shot in 2020 Playoffs

A veteran of 10 years, Orlando Magic swingman Terrence Ross knows what to do when met with multiple defenders. Ross takes a couple bounces on the wing, draws the defense towards him and whips a laser of a dime to Mo Bamba for the reverse flush. T-Ross got loose for 18 points and eight rebounds in a January 5, 2022 contest with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Terrence Ross

Terrence Ross whips no-look dime into the post for dunk

Passing out of the post is a skill Orlando Magic center Robin Lopez has excelled at over the course of his long NBA career. Lopez catches an entry feed from Admiral Schofield, holds the ball out with one hand and quickly fires a return hook pass to Schofield for the finish plus the foul — a perfectly executed give and go. Lopez stepped up big time in his starting role against the Atlanta Hawks on December 22, 2021, tallying an unconventional double-double for a center with 10 points, 11 dimes and five rebounds en route to a 104-98 victory for Orlando.

Robin Lopez

Robin Lopez hits backdoor cutter with overhead pass out of post up

Why go for the simple right-handed layup when you have the athleticism to go across the rim for a reverse finish in traffic? Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris puts that acrobatic grace on display in a tough finish over the Miami Heat. Harris led all scorers with an efficient 20-point performance on December 26, 2021.

Gary Harris

Gary Harris flashes ball on right side, rotates in air for reverse layup on left

Pity whoever finds themselves wedged between Mo Bamba and the basket. Bamba collects a beautiful behind-the-back pass from point guard Cole Anthony before attacking the rim with authority. The Magic center notched up 13 points and nine rebounds in a dominant win over the Portland Trail Blazers on February 8, 2022. 

Mo Bamba

Mo Bamba trails in transition, throws down power slam through contact

It didn’t take long for Markelle Fultz to get back to making an impression after nearly 14 months on the sidelines. In his first taste of official action since a knee injury ended his 2020-21 campaign, the Orlando Magic guard explodes into the paint against the Indiana Pacers then leaps through the air for an acrobatic up-and-under layup. Fultz racked up 10 points and six dimes on five-of-seven shooting in a cautiously limited 16-minute stint on February 28, 2022.

Markelle Fultz

Markelle Fultz pulls off acrobatic layup in first game after 14-month absence

If you get the ball stripped from you on one end, you’d better be ready to bring the effort right back on the other. After getting his pocket picked against the Detroit Pistons, Chuma Okeke shows how it’s done, hustling back in transition and adjusting in mid-air to block a shot from across his body. The Orlando Magic forward showed off his potential, with 17 points, six rebounds, three triples and three blocks in a 119-103 win on January 28, 2022.

Chuma Okeke

Chuma Okeke chases down transition effort, turns mid-air to block shot

Fake left, go right. Orlando Magic big man Moritz Wagner abides by this rule of thumb and freezes his defender in the post before attacking the rack and finishing with a ferocious slam. This dunk was two of Wagner's eight points off the bench that helped the Magic grab a road win in the October 24, 2021 contest.

Moritz Wagner

Moritz Wagner attacks defender for poster dunk in the paint

At 6-foot-10, 270 pounds, Wendell Carter Jr. isn’t a fun sight to see for the defense when he gets a head of steam. Here, the Orlando Magic get a numbers advantage on the fast break against the Milwaukee Bucks, allowing Carter Jr. to take flight for a contact slam. Carter Jr. stuffed the stat sheet on December 30, 2021, with 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Wendell Carter Jr.

Wendell Carter Jr. charges through paint for dunk in traffic

You can bang away in the paint all you want but unless you can stop that fallaway scoop shot, you’re not slowing down Nikola Vucevic. The Orlando Magic center shows off his soft touch against Thomas Bryant and the Washington Wizards on December 27, 2020.

Nikola Vučević battles for soft-touch bucket in the post

Lose sight of the inside threat and he’ll make you pay for it. Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba calls for the rock wide open in the paint then unleashes a two-handed slam on the Milwaukee Bucks on January 11, 2021.

Mo Bamba slides past defense and throws down in the paint

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Franz Wagner

Nikola Vučević

Terrence Ross

Robin Lopez

Gary Harris

Mo Bamba

Markelle Fultz

Chuma Okeke

Moritz Wagner

Wendell Carter Jr.

Nikola Vučević

Mo Bamba