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Clutch Options: Is Orlando Magic’s go-to player Victor Oladipo or Tobias Harris?

By Brett David Roberts

Dec 13, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) hugs guard Victor Oladipo (5) after he made the game winning shot at the buzzer during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Atlanta Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) hugs guard Victor Oladipo (5) after he made the game winning shot at the buzzer during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Atlanta Hawks 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 16, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) shoots against Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) during the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) shoots against Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) during the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports /

What about Nikola Vucevic? Doesn’t his presence call for evaluation here?

Harris has to be consistent this year, but that benchmark of play will now be higher. That is to say that for $16 million a season, Harris is going to have to respond when he is called upon. Tobias Harris averaged 38.4 frontcourt touches per game last season and he averaged 0.44 points per frontcourt touch.

But he is not alone as a frontcourt option for Orlando.

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    • Notably, Nikola Vucevic averaged 54.8 total touches per game, which was the same as Harris. Harris averaged 1.8 minutes of possession compared to Vucevic’s 1.5, so the ball is staying in Harris’ hands longer. He is taking the time to make plays but has yet to establish himself as the indisputable option late in games.

    Vucevic also had more total touches than Harris during the season, while seeing the court about as much as Harris. Because Vucevic can step out on the perimeter, he has to be considered a high priority in high pick and rolls. We saw Vucevic called to the top of the arc to set space for Victor Oladipo, and Vucevic is often able to pick his spots when he pops on these plays.

    He is going to continue to get touches, but the matter here is how the Magic can get the best response when it needs to isolate a player for a quick score.

    Vucevic offered 0.542 points per half court touch, which was far higher than Harris’ 0.446. So, the argument can still be made the ball should be fed to Vucevic instead of isolating Harris.

    This notion will be difficult to suppress if Harris does not deliver in games early this season. But while Harris and Vucevic are both great options late in games, Orlando did go to a certain former Indiana Hoosier more than both.

    Next: What about Orlando's Highest Usage Player, though?