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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 6: More Tournament thoughts

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 10, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Orlando Magic stand at attention for the playing of the National Anthem before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Orlando Magic stand at attention for the playing of the National Anthem before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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More than any positional need, I think the Magic need more depth. They just have to continue building the roster with quality backups, possibly even one that can create some offense on his own off the bench. Tobias Harris would make some sense in this role, but, as I have noted previously, Harris does not seem to work well off the bench.

The Magic do not need a dominant blocker, but they need someone that can rotate and move next to Nikola Vucevic to cover his mistakes and then get back to his man to protect the rim, or someone who can hedge and recover on the pick and roll. A better defensive scheme would fix things in this department well too.

Feb 20, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) dunks against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 95-84. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) dunks against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 95-84. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

And Dewayne Dedmon still has potential to fill this role (although, I think ultimately he is not a starter because of his poor offensive ability).

Orlando also needs shooters. The Magic are extremely bereft of shooters with just Channing Frye and (maybe) Evan Fournier gaining defenses’ respect. Victor Oladipo can continue to improve his 3-point shot and gain that defense’s respect.

But entering Sunday’s game, Orlando is 22nd in the league in 3-point attempts and 10th in the league in 3-point field goal percentage. It seems like the Magic are a team that shoots a high percentage because they do not take many from beyond the arc.

It will help open the paint if they can spread the floor with 3-point shooters.

So, I would not say that there is a specific position the Magic need to fill. They are more skills the team needs to click all the pieces into place. The team has to start looking like a team rather than a collection of talent.

Next: Can the Magic be an elite defense with Vucevic at center?