8 points, 9 seconds
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Early season trends for the Pacers and the Eastern Conference

By Jonathan Matthes

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 3: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 3, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 3: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 3, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Frank Vogel of the Orlando Magic
Frank Vogel of the Orlando Magic /

Who has more staying power the Detroit Pistons or the Orlando Fighting Frank Vogels?

For starters did you notice Frank’s rocking a beard? I didn’t until just now.

Anyway, both Detroit and Orlando have burst out of the gate, in a good way. Orlando is playing the second best defense in the East and plays offense at actually a faster pace than Indiana. The Pistons have ridden Andre Drummond double-doubles and Tobias Harris’ 20-pointers to the best record in the Central. The semi-tantalizing question is who has staying power?

The less sexy answer is maybe neither of them. But that’s no fun.

Orlando. The Magic have the better chance of actually being something. Detroit’s problem is that they are a fine ball-club, but they don’t have much star-power or much depth. They are only really playing eight players regular minutes, and none of their bench players average more than 20 minutes a game. This formula can work: being a decently talented team + putting up decent numbers + playing a small bench = playoff run — but if they get an injury, even one, it will really hurt them.

Orlando doesn’t have that problem. Besides playing defense, the Magic are more balanced in the scoring department (seven with 8 points or more), they’ve got a couple good rebounders (Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic each are over 7), they shoot well, share well, rebound at the average.

Plus they’re in the right division. Atlanta isn’t a threat. Miami can’t score. Look up “average” in the dictionary and you’ll see the Charlotte Hornets logo. Washington should still be the favorite, and the Wizards have a decisive edge in the talent department, but the Magic have the look and feel of a playoff team.

Playoff projections

Way too early.

But you have to figure Cleveland and Milwaukee will right the ship, there’s two. Boston’s a sure thing, there’s three. The experience of Toronto and Washington will carry them, there’s five.

Next: Darren Collison’s surprising second act

Then I think the other three spots will be from the group of teams with a net positive rating (Charlotte, Detroit, Indiana, Orlando and Philadelphia). New York is a “no” because they don’t have enough talent to balance their dependence on Porzingis.

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