Dewayne Dedmon’s return signals Orlando Magic’s return to defense

Mar 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Pero Antic (6) shoots over Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) during the second half at Amway Center. Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Pero Antic (6) shoots over Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) during the second half at Amway Center. Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic want to be about defense. To be at their best defensively, they need the rim protection that comes from Dewayne Dedmon.

James Borrego has long said he wants his team’s mentality and identity to be based on defense. And largely it has.

In the last three games, though, it was easy to see a slip. The numbers show that too as the Magic averaged a defensive rating of 115.1, including an other-worldly 114.0 in the win against the Trail Blazers and a 123.4 in the loss to the Nuggets. Orlando’s defense has struggled a bit of late overall, with the team playing above its average defensive rating in six of the last 10 games.

That defensive transformation has not quite taken over, even if the attention and effort is there.

Adding one player directly to the mix seemed to change things Wednesday against the East-leading Atlanta Hawks. Unlike any other player on the roster, Dewayne Dedmon can literally change how the Magic play defense.

“It allows us wing players to push up on our guys and get over screens,” Magic guard Willie Green said. We’re really not worried about guys getting to the basket because he is there to block shots and alter shots. It was important to get him back. I think everyone can see how important he is to this team, especially on defense.”

That intensity and that pressure was clear to see as the Magic built a 13-point lead in the second quarter against the Hawks and seemed in control of the game. It was mostly built on defense and the Magic protecting the paint, forcing the Hawks to kick out and then closing out on 3-point shooters.

The Magic were not at their best at that all night and the Hawks eventually started making those 3-pointers, but Orlando had to build a lead somehow. The team forced Atlanta into difficult shots and contested shots in the rim. There was a seeming rise in intensity level with Dedmon as a backstop.

“I feel like that’s my job,” Dedmon said. “When I come out there, that’s what I’m supposed to do — lockdown. And it’s contagious. Once I’m out there playing defense, everyone else starts playing defense.”

“I feel like that’s my job. When I come out there, that’s what I’m supposed to do — lockdown.” –Dewayne Dedmon

While Dedmon was on the floor Wednesday night, Dedmon was a -10 with -6 coming in the final 2:34. Dedmon’s numbers are still a bit of a roller coaster with his inability to contribute much on the offensive end. He failed to score while grabbing seven rebounds.

But consider how things started for Dedmon — 11 points in 16 possessions. The supposedly stellar Hawks offense managed just a 68.8 offensive rating to open the game, allowing the Magic to take a six-point lead early.

It happened again throughout Dedmon’s night. In all, the Hawks scored 57 points in 53 possessions (107.5 points allowed per 100 possesions). Those numbers are below Orlando’s season average of 105.7. And the Magic ended up giving up a 98.5 defensive rating this evening.

Dedmon is still a pretty raw player. He is prone to foul trouble and will swing his arms wildly occasionally as his form of defense. It makes it more difficult to recover and respond after the initial stop.

Yet, it also stands to reason that the team generally plays defense better with him on the floor.

Mar 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) shoots as Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) and forward Paul Millsap (4) defends during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) shoots as Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) and forward Paul Millsap (4) defends during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

According to Basketball-Reference, the Magic are 10.8 points per 100 possessions better on defense with Dedmon on the floor. Wednesday’s stats seem to be the outlier on his season. And the Magic seemed to find themselves defensively with him back on the floor.

“I liked our defense with Dewayne again,” James Borrego said of his first unit. “We were swarming. I thought they were very active. We were getting hurt on the offensive boards, but I liked our defense. That’s our group. That’s our idenityt. That’s our defense that we need consistently. Through that, we were able to score off our defense. We were getting stops and getting out in transition. That was our best offense tonight.”

Do the Magic still have a long way to go? Yes.

Jan 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Amway Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 115-100.Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Amway Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 115-100.Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

There is no hiding behind the fact the Magic lost the game and Dedmon’s mere presence did not lift the defense. It may have risen the defensive intensity at the beginning of the game, but the Hawks picked up their intensity and the Magic could not match, whether Dedmon was on the floor or not.

James Borrego opted to go with Andrew Nicholson for much of the fourth quarter. While he scored 11 points and was playing better defense than most would probably consider him playing, Nicholson cannot and does not change the game like Dedmon does.

That is why despite the offensive shortcomings from Dedmon, Borrego has Dedmon in with his starting unit.

“He gives us energy,” Borrego said. “He gives us an edge. He gives us toughness. He challenges shots, passes. And then we have another big guy right next to him there to clog the paint and challenge shots. The length of those two, the size, is a good combination for us defensively.”

Dedmon said he felt fine physically after his first game back from the sprained ankle. It would seem Dedmon is in with little restriction for the final nine games. He has more than likely earned his final year of his contract — according to Basketball Insiders next year, his contract is fully unguaranteed, there is no reason to think the Magic would let him go at this point.

And unbelievably, Dedmon has ascended into a critical role in the Magic. One that quite possibly inspires the team to better defense.

Time will tell how the Magic perform these final games with Dedmon a clear part of the rotation.

Next: Magic fall apart in 4th quarter against Hawks