May 26, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) reacts against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
With the recent news that LeBron James is returning home to the Cleveland Cavaliers it affects the Orlando Magic in a few ways.
Unfortunately however, it doesn’t change much in a positive way for the Magic.
Despite no longer being Southeast Divisional rivals, the Magic will still battle the King and his Cavaliers four times this upcoming season.
In 39 career games against the Magic, James has torched the Magic for 26.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG and 6.7 APG.
Against all Southeast opponents, James’ PPG rises to 27.7.
However, where James’ departure does aid the Magic is that it makes the Southeast Division weaker as a whole.
It was widely assumed that when James left, Chris Bosh would also depart, but after he decided to remain in South Beach, the Heat are still going to be a very good team. This now likely means the Magic may have to remain the No.2 team in Florida for at least another season.
For the Magic, who are hoping to edge into the playoffs this season, the Southeast Division remains tough still, despite James departing. Last season, the Heat, Wizards, Bobcats/Hornets and Hawks all made the postseason and there’s no reason to believe that’ll be any different this season.
It makes the division slightly more wide open now which may give the Magic life as they look to build themselves back into a contender.
Also, the Cavaliers play in the Central Division and last year only the Pacers and Bulls made it into the postseason, as the Cavs, Pistons and Bucks missed out.
With LeBron returning to that division, it makes things a little tougher for those four teams, especially now that the Cavaliers are going to be perennial title contenders for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, the LeBron effect could favour the Magic late in the season when they are jockeying for a playoff spot.