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Rotations by James Borrego Largely to Blame in Magic Loss to Washington

By Brett David Roberts

Feb 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) looks to shoot as Washington Wizards forward Drew Gooden (90) defends during the third quarter at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated Orlando Magic 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) looks to shoot as Washington Wizards forward Drew Gooden (90) defends during the third quarter at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated Orlando Magic 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Orlando Magic head coach James Borrego talks to his team from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Orlando Magic head coach James Borrego talks to his team from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

6) James Borrego, like his predecessor is relying on too many units bereft of decent scoring options.

Dewayne Dedmon is an offensive liability, as was Marble. Kyle O’Quinn should always play more minutes than Dedmon, yet he did not. With Nene and Kevin Seraphin both big bruisers, tonight was a matchup that screamed for the Norfolk State product.

O’Quinn had four points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 14 minutes, stuffing the sheet by trying to do a little of everything. He still feeds guards from the high post better than any other player in the Magic’s frontcourt rotation.

One has to figure Kyle’s ability to spot cutters and open players around the rim only drives his free agency costs upwards.  He is a useful player on any team, and a contending team may pay him mid-level exception type money to come off the bench.  Do the Magic match that?

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That huge digression aside, the rotations are still very dubiously engineered, with Willie Green being the biggest model of inconsistency, other nights he is putting airballs three feet short of the rim as he did emblematically with the team trailing 60-46.

Even with the Wizards erratic play and mass turnovers early on, chalking up its 11th turnover by the 4:26 mark of the second quarter.

Elfrid Payton was an absolute defensive terror and the best thing about the Magic is fielding a strong defensive unit is not difficult with both O’Quinn and Dedmon being solid defenders in their diametrically opposite styles.

Next: Final Notes