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Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Kyle O’Quinn

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Kyle O'Quinn (2) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 109-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Kyle O'Quinn (2) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 109-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyle O'Quinn, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Greg Monroe
Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Kyle O’Quinn (2) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 109-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle O’Quinn started the year hoping to be an established part of the rotation and cement his place in the NBA. He accomplished neither at the end.

Kyle O’Quinn is close to gaining mythic status for Orlando Magic fans.

Every team has those folk heroes of the common folk. The guy who is the glue guy and just hustles and outworks everyone. He probably was a second round pick. He probably has some strange quirk (or facial hair). He probably is woefully underpaid.

After two seasons playing the “character hustle guy,” O’Quinn seemed to have his place in the rotation set. He was the backup center or power forward. He could step out and hit a jumper and provided some of the rim protection and shot blocking Nikola Vucevic could not.

All that hustle and all that hard work seemed to have rewarded him.

O’Quinn sprained his ankle in the first game of the season. Dewayne Dedmon emerged as a better defensive option. O’Quinn quasi-developed a 3-point shot that was incredibly inconsistent.

He, in other words, did not seem to get any better and saw others on the depth chart pass him. He did not seize the new role that had been lobbed up for him at the beginning of the season. It was hard to tell if there was even a place for him on the team anymore.

O’Quinn was once again relegated to towel-waving bench warmer at the end of the season. It was odd, because O’Quinn certainly played well when he was in the game and deserved the opportunity. Especially with his impending restricted free agency.

He seemed to go from a player sure to make a lot of money this summer to someone who does not even have a sure place on this team anymore.

This is in line with the season a lot of Magic players had and the team had as a whole.

O’Quinn did a lot of the same things he did last year. Just not as well. And without making the kind of improvement you would expect from a third year player. He stayed positive and stayed engaged even as his minutes and role began to dwindle, seemingly inexplicably.

Next: The Good and The Bad