2024 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Jalen Suggs was the heart and soul
Jalen Suggs proved to be the heart and soul of the Orlando Magic this season. His growth defensively dramatically changed his and the Magic's outlook.
What does it take to build an identity? What is the thing that takes a team over the top and to the next level? What is the difference?
Superstars are a big part of that. The Orlando Magic's success begins and ends with Paolo Banchero's development and the tone he sets for the entire operation. Everyone learned quickly how special he is and everyone is more willing to tolerate mistakes from him because of what he gives to the team elsewhere.
But that is not enough. That might be the engine that keeps the train running. But what makes a team truly transcendent is a heart and a soul. It is someone who elevates players with his energy and effort and sets the tone for everything they do.
True, there is no Orlando Magic then without Banchero. But there is no success without Jalen Suggs.
Everything that made the team special and helped the team exceed all expectations started with the transformation in Suggs individually. But more importantly, it started with how Suggs transformed the team.