Devyn Marble returns from Erie after ‘fair’ stint

Devyn Marble returned from his stint with the Erie Bayhawks on Wednesday. The trip was a “fair” one for him as he struggled with efficiency.

Devyn Marble was recalled from the Erie Bayhawks on Wednesday and rejoined the Orlando Magic for their game against the Houston Rockets.

Marble averaged 13.9 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game 32.2 minutes per game during eight appearances for the Bayhawks. He shot 35.6 percent from the floor and 35.0 percent from beyond the arc.

It was a bit of a mixed bag for the Magic’s second round pick from the 2014 NBA Draft.

“[His play was] fair,” Magic coach Scott Skiles said when asked to assess his play. “We had the plan all along to send him there and bring him back now regardless of how he played. We’ve got some days to practice, we’ll try to get him back into it and see where he’s at.”

Marble was sent down to Erie on Dec. 1, just before the Magic left Orlando for a West Coast road trip. It was somewhat surprising he did not rejoining the team after they returned home. Instead he stayed and played those extra games.

This was always the plan, according to Skiles. And it does not mean Marble is going to see any minutes. He said before Wednesday’s game he intends to keep Mario Hezonja as the backup point guard. Marble had worked as a point guard during the preseason.

With the Magic, Marble has played in only 12 minutes over five games. He has not done a ton for the Magic so far.

The trip to Erie was a chance to get him some more playing time and an opportunity to play. He got plenty of that but was hardly efficient in the time he played. His best game came Dec. 19 where he scored 23 points on 5-for-14 shooting. Hardly the efficiency and dominance you would expect from a potential NBA rotation player.

“I got a chance to play,” Marble said. “I got a chance to work on some things, get my confidence going so when I come back I am caught up and can perform. I think coach [Bill] Peterson did a good job with me down there and got me ready. I’m just staying ready.”

Marble said the team sent him down with points of emphasis they wanted him to focus on while he was there. Communication too with the coaching staff in Erie and Orlando also help keep players on track.

The Magic had Marble focus on getting to the free throw line and his defense while in Erie. So his scoring numbers are not likely too much of a concern to the team.

Marble averaged 3.8 free throw attempts per game in his eight-game stint in Erie. That is getting closer to his college average (he averaged 4.0 free throw attempts per game as a sophomore with it increasing as his role increased). Defensively, the Bayhawks posted a 106.8 defensive rating with Marble on the floor.

Marble did plenty good filling up a box score though. He was able to get rebounds and assists. Is that enough to get him in the rotation?

Not likely. His stint in Erie was exactly what Skiles said it was, “Fair.” He got his experience and playing time but did not make too much of an impact. Probably not enough to get into the rotation.

One thing Marble is always good at is providing energy, particularly on the defensive end. That is the main thing the Magic will want him to provide now that he is back on the main roster.

Getting the playing time was important for him considering the Magic’s incredibly crowded backcourt and wing positions. It is hard to figure when and where Marble might play again.

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“You just got to do what you do,” Marble said. “You can’t try to do anything special. You bring what you bring to the game. I think that’s where guys get confused and lost is when they start trying to do stuff they aren’t able to do or not asked to do. I just do what I’m asked to do. When he needs me and calls on me, I’ll be ready.”