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Is it time Orlando Magic should change frontcourt starters?

By Brett David Roberts

Jan 26, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) holds the ball as Orlando Magic centers Nikola Vucevic (9) and Dwayne Dedmon (3) defend during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) holds the ball as Orlando Magic centers Nikola Vucevic (9) and Dwayne Dedmon (3) defend during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; New York Knicks center Andrea Bargnani (77) and Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. try to hold back Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. The Magic won 89-83. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; New York Knicks center Andrea Bargnani (77) and Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. try to hold back Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. The Magic won 89-83. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando’s reserves are shining

The call for change is echoing very audibly, but as to what these changes should be, it is less easy to discern.

Outside of Vucevic (and even inclusive of him at times), the best Orlando big on the court has been 25-year-old Dewayne Dedmon. He has been getting calls early in the first quarter to come in at the 4-spot, and then remaining on at center when Vucevic heads for his breather.

While Dedmon lacks offensive refinement, he is good at choosing his spots and doing what he does do well — finish at the rim. After checking in to the Charlotte contest, he quickly found a cutting lane and was rewarded with a perfectly executed lob from Luke Ridnour.

Early in the second quarter he snatched an offensive rebound to create a second shot, deflected a loose rebound to create a third, and the Magic’s Andrew Nicholson finally capitalized by knocking down a jumper. At the half, Dedmon had been credited with four rebounds, two of which were on the offensive end, as well as having come up with a couple of steals.

Dedmon, Maurice Harkless and backup point guard Luke Ridnour finished the half +5, though the Magic trailed by a point. Harkless made the most of his new-found playing time, and Dedmon has been working hard all season.

Next: Is the effort there?