The Orlando Magic picked up two solid scorers with their two NBA Draft picks. That helped them secure glowing reviews from NBA observers.
The Orlando Magic made two offensive-minded picks with their two selections in the NBA Draft, selecting Croatian swingman Mario Hezonja with the fifth overall pick and the NCAA’s leading scorer in Tyler Harvey with the 51st overall pick.
Both players really address a key need for the Magic. They desperately needed some shooting to add to a lineup of growing offensive players who have more accomplishments and gravitas on the defensive end at this point. Regardless of how they fit into the depth chart — yes, there is a bit of a logjam at the guard position now — these are the kinds of player the Magic needed to move forward. Scott Skiles will find a way to fit them all in.
That is the resounding sentiment following Thursday’s NBA Draft. The Magic not only picked two of the best players available while they were selecting, but also filled one of their vital needs.
A survey across the Web for reactions shows there is a lot of favor for how the Magic spent their Thursday evening:
"Finally, some shooting! For Orlando’s sake, let’s hope Hezonja is more like Brandon Jennings than Joe Alexander. New head coach Scott Skiles coached both former top-10 picks in Milwaukee and the Magic are desperate to get some return on their roster full of prospects. Considering the logjam at point guard, grabbing the Croatian wing, who shot 38 percent from deep last season, was an easy pick for general manager Rob Hennigan, who could have gone with point guard Emmanuel Mudiay. Their second-round pick, 2-guard Tyler Harvey, has parking-lot range and is worth a flier. Thumbs Up"
"Grade: AThere’s a tinge of disappointment that Porzingis didn’t fall here. He was a better fit in Orlando than New York. For him and the Magic, it was a bit of a tough blow that the Knicks took him. But the consolation prize should have everyone in Orlando excited. The Magic have been loading up on elite defenders the last two drafts. Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon are all great athletes who can lock you down. What they’ve needed, badly, was some offense. Boy did they get it. Hezonja is a fearless scorer with deep range on his jumper. Harvey is one of the other best shooters in the draft and, surprisingly, one of the most efficient. Neither of these guys are afraid to let it fly and both can play multiple positions. In a league that is emphasizing shooting, they scored big this year."
Sam Vecenie, CBS Sports
"Hezonja is exactly what the Magic needed: a perimeter scorer who can really shoot the ball and space the floor. He’ll be able to play with Victor Oladipo, who can take on the tougher defensive assignments, while he does his thing as a 6-8 basketball savant. If Hezonja is an all-star caliber player like many think he is, the Magic’s ceiling goes through the roof. The Magic immediately become one of the most fun, must-watch young teams in the NBA this season. In the second round, they took another shooter in Harvey, the NCAA’s leading scorer this season. I’m less sold on Harvey as an NBA player. He’s not much of a playmaker, and he really can’t defend anyone. It’s hard to make it in the NBA if shooting is your only skill, even if you can do it in basically every situation. Maybe Harvey proves me wrong, and he fills a need for the Magic, but I’m skeptical on that one working out.Draft Grades: B+"
"The Magic have been miserable to watch on the offensive end for two years now, and the defense-first club won’t figure to change that under defense-defense-defense-first new coach Scott Skiles. Even when he’s missing shots, however, Hezonja will make the team worth clicking over to. He’s a floor spacer and slasher who the team hopes will develop sooner rather than later. Hezonja has all sorts of fundamental ticks (on both ends of the ball) that will try the coaching staff’s patience, but he’s a hell of a talent.Eastern Washington off guard Tyler Harvey was a rather late addition, but the 6-4 shooter could carve out a role on this squad despite his second-round placement due to his superior shooting. The Magic drafted for need at both spots, but it’s hard to argue with the results.Grade: B+"
"Croatian small forward Mario Hezonja (No. 5) seems like an odd fit here, especially with Winslow, Mudiay and other still on the board. He’s a risk, but a good one at that based on his shooting and slashing. Tyler Harvey (No. 51) was one of the nation’s best scorers in college basketball. He’ll find a way on the floor at the next level. Grade: B."
All solid grades across the board. The Magic certainly could have done worse. Who knows what the perception would be over the divisive Kristaps Porzingis had he fallen to the Magic or what the reaction would have been for Justise Winslow, seen now as a steal for the Heat at No. 10.
What did I think of the Magic’s Draft? Glad you asked.
What did you think of the Magic’s Draft?